Question

The atmosphere is full of nitrogen gas (N2). But plants cannot use nitrogen in this form. Summarize the roles of bacteria in making nitrogen available to plants and in returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Answer 1

Prokaryotes play several roles in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil and within the root nodules of some plants convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere to ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites or nitrates.... Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrates back to nitrogen gas.