Download The Nitrogen Cycle Why is Nitrogen important? Nitrogen is the _

The Nitrogen Cycle
Why is Nitrogen important? Nitrogen is the _critical component_ of ____amino acids__
which are needed to build ____proteins___ in organisms
Nitrogen is found: 1. in the _atmosphere_ in the form of __N2_
2. in _organisms_ in the form of __proteins__ and ___amino acids__
3. in __organic_ materials that compose __soil__
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Denitrification: __denitrifying bacteria_ break down the _nitrogen_ compounds in the
__soil_ and release _N2__ into the atmosphere.
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Assimilation = intake of nitrogen by __organisms_. How nitrogen enters the food chain :
1. _Plants_take in nitrogen through their __roots_ (as __ammonia_ or __nitrates_)
2. _Animals_ eat plants or animals to gain _nitrogen___
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Decomposition = __decomposers__such as __bacteria_return nitrogen to the soil when an
organism __dies_ or from ____animal waste____.
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Nitrogen fixation = Nitrogen fixing bacteria which are found in the __soil_, __aquatic_
_ecosystems__, and ____root nodules of plants__ convert ____N2___
found in the __air__ or ___dissolved in water__ into the forms that can be used by plants.
IMPORTANT: __BACTERIA__ involved in almost every process of the nitrogen cycle!
What are legumes?
__Plants__ that have ______root nodules____ that contain
______nitrogen-fixing bacteria____ ex. soybeans