nitrogen cycle nitrogen cycle Discuss
A series of events that repeat, with no beginning or end. What is a cycle? A series of events that repeat, with no beginning or end. Discuss
Why is Nitrogen important to us? Nitrogen is a component of the proteins and nucleic acids in our bodies. Discuss
78% of the earth’s atmosphere colorless, odorless gas Nitrogen is an element. N What is nitrogen? rare in soil 78% of the earth’s atmosphere major component of DNA colorless, odorless gas
4 processes Nitrogen Fixation Denitrification Nitrification Ammonification
Where does nitrogen come from? Nitrogen must be converted -fixed - into useable compounds. Although nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, organisms can not use N2 in its gas state. N2 Where does nitrogen come from?
Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen Fixation is the process that causes the nitrogen molecules found in the atmosphere to break apart so they can combine with other atoms.
There are 2 kinds of bacteria that move nitrogen through the nitrogen cycle. bacteria that change nitrogen from a gas to a solid. bacteria that changes it from a solid to a gas. Some bacteria live in the soil and others live in the roots of plants
Plants can absorb nitrate solids through their roots. Energy from lightning during a thunderstorm converts N2 (gas) into nitrate solids, NO3. Plants can absorb nitrate solids through their roots. Bacteria convert nitrogen gas into nitrate solids, NO3. N2 N2 N2 N2 N2 nitrates nitrates nitrates nitrates N2
Other bacteria in the soil break down nitrate solids (NO3) back into N2 (gas).
Denitrification Denitrification is the process in which bacteria in the soil convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.
nitrates nitrates nitrates nitrates
the bacteria or lightening Discuss What would happen if the bacteria or lightening were removed from the nitrogen cycle?
Denitrification would not Discuss Denitrification would not occur. The nitrogen would stay locked up as a gas.
Plants and animals contain nitrogen compounds Plants and animals contain nitrogen compounds. Decomposers break down biotic organisms and release the nitrogen compound in the form of ammonia (NH4) Animal wastes decompose, adding nitrogen in the form of ammonia (NH4) back to the soil. N2 N2 N2 N2 waste decomposers ammonia nitrates N2
Ammonification is the process in which decomposers (bacteria and fungi) convert amino acids from dead animals and wastes into ammonium. Ammonification
Other bacteria convert ammonia back into nitrate solids. waste decomposers ammonia nitrates N2
Nitrification is the process in which bacteria convert ammonium into nitrates.
N2 N2 N2 N2 waste decomposers ammonia nitrates N2
Explain what causes the nitrogen cycle to continually change. Discuss Explain what causes the nitrogen cycle to continually change.