AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -It is taken into the soil by bacteria, some algae, lightning, and other means. Nitrate is the form of nitrogen most used by plants for growth and development. Nitrate is the form that can most easily be lost to groundwater. Ammonium taken in by plants is used directly in proteins.

Detailed explanation-2: -Transformation within the soil Plants can take up two forms of nitrogen: nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+). Although you can apply either organic or inorganic forms of nitrogen, plants will only take up these two forms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Nitrate and nitrite are two nitrogen compounds that are needed by plants and animals to live and grow. They occur naturally in soil, water, and air. Nitrate and nitrite are also made in the body. In industry, the majority of nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops or lawns.

Detailed explanation-4: -They convert nitrogen to ammonium and nitrate, which plants absorb. Nitrogen is required by plants to produce amino acids, proteins, and DNA. Nitrogen is necessary because it is a component of chlorophyll. It is also an essential component of amino acids, which serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrate, nitrite and urea. In aerobic soils where nitrification can occur, nitrate is usually the predominant form of available nitrogen that is absorbed.