Download Nitrogen Cycle File

NITROGEN FIXING: Bacteria take
nitrogen gas (N2) from air &
transform or “fix” it into a form
that ecosystem can use like
ammonia (NH3)
N≡N
AMMONIA: Created from
nitrogen fixing bacteria, decay
of plants & animals and from
animal waste
AMMONIUM ION: (NH4+)
Produced by nitrogen fixing
bacteria through
ammonification
NITRIFICATION: Biological
oxidation of ammonia with
oxygen into nitrite
(NO2-) followed by oxidation of
these nitrites into nitrates (NO3-)
O—N—O
NITRATE ION: inorganic (no C)
formed by nitrification, easily
taken up and used by plants
PROTEIN: Contains C, H, O & N;
needed by body for growth,
repair & to make enzymes
AMINO ACID: building block
(or monomer) of protein. Has
an amino group (-NH2) & a
carboxyl group (-COOH). 20
different kinds
DENITRIFICATION: Conversion
of nitrates into nitrogen gas
(N2) by soil bacteria