Question

list two different ways by which atmospheric nitrogen convert into soluble autogenous compound

Answer 1

Atmospheric Nitrogen is not readily available to the plants for using them for the proteins and nucleic acid formation. Therefore, they undergo a series of reaction to get transformed into the soluble forms.

1. Nitrogen Fixation - The atmospheric nitrogen is 'fixed' to form the more usable compounds. It occurs biologically by the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, by the action of lightning, or via industrial methods. Atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonium ions or ammonia and nitrates.

2. Decomposition - Most of the animal excretes and plant wastes are made up of the organic nitrogen compounds. They are broken down by micro-organisms called as nitrifying bacteria which convert them into ammonia by a method called Nitrification. This ammonia is later converted into nitrates and nitrites by denitrification.