AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all fixed nitrogen and can be absorbed by plants.

Detailed explanation-2: -Stage 1: Nitrogen Fixation To be used by plants, the N2 must be transformed through a process called nitrogen fixation. Fixation converts nitrogen in the atmosphere into forms that plants can absorb through their root systems.

Detailed explanation-3: -Biologically: Nitrogen gas (N2) diffuses into the soil from the atmosphere, and species of bacteria convert this nitrogen to ammonium ions (NH4+), which can be used by plants. Legumes (such as clover and lupins) are often grown by farmers because they have nodules on their roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria.