Question

Which of the following statements about nitrogen fixation is false?

a. It is energetically expensive.
b. It is more common in late succession than in early succession.
c. It often results in trade-offs in growth and/or reproduction.
d. Legumes are examples of plants that use nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
e. All of the above are true; none is false.

Answer 1

The false statement is that nitrification is the process by which nitrites (NO2-) are converted to ammonium ion (NH4+); nitrification actually involves the conversion of ammonium into nitrites and then nitrates.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the statements provided about the nitrogen cycle, the false statement is:

• Nitrification is the process by which nitrites (NO2-) are converted to ammonium ion (NH4+).

Nitrification actually involves the conversion of ammonium (NH4+) into nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrates (NO3-), not the other way around. The correct steps in the nitrogen cycle include nitrogen fixation, where nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH3) or related compounds, often facilitated by bacteria associated with plant roots or free-living in the soil. Ammonification involves decomposers breaking down organic materials to release ammonium, and denitrification is the reduction of nitrates back into nitrogen gas, completing the cycle.