what is a nitrogen cycle ?
Answers
Answer:
The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.
Nitrogen Cycle :-
Nitrogen is found in its gaseous form in the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains about 78% nitrogen Plants and animals cannot directly consume the nitrogen present in the atmosphere.
This work is done by the blue-green algae or by nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the soil.
They fix the atmospheric nitrogen and converts it into nitrites and nitrates. Plants consume these nitrites and nitrates from the soil through the roots. Nitrogen is used to synthesise amino acids, proteins, etc. in the plants Herbivores feed on these plants.
When they die, the bacteria and fungi present in the soil decompose their dead bodies. Thus, the organic nitrogen present in their bodies is converted to the inorganic nitrates and nitrites.
These are further converted into nitrogen gas and released in the atmosphere by certain specialised bacteria, thus balancing the percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere.
