EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Most nitrogen fixation occurs naturally, in the soil, by bacteria. In Figure 3 (above), you can see nitrogen fixation and exchange of form occurring in the soil. Some bacteria attach to plant roots and have a symbiotic (beneficial for both the plant and the bacteria) relationship with the plant [6].

Detailed explanation-2: -Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process through which nitrogen is converted into many forms, consecutively passing from the atmosphere to the soil to organism and back into the atmosphere.

Detailed explanation-3: -Nitrogen cycles through both the abiotic and biotic parts of the Earth system. The largest reservoir of nitrogen is found in the atmosphere, mostly as nitrogen gas (N2).

Detailed explanation-4: -Most of the nitrogen on Earth is in the atmosphere. Approximately 80% of the molecules in Earth’s atmosphere are made of two nitrogen atoms bonded together (N2). All plants and animals need nitrogen to make amino acids, proteins and DNA, but the nitrogen in the atmosphere is not in a form that they can use.

Detailed explanation-5: -Dinitrogen is the most common form. It makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere but cannot be used by plants. 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.