LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -There are two main types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Symbiotic, or mutualistic, species live in root nodules of certain plants. Plants of the pea family, known as legumes, are some of the most important hosts for nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but a number of other plants can also harbour these helpful bacteria.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mutualism is a common type of ecological interaction. Prominent examples include most vascular plants engaged in mutualistic interactions with mycorrhizae, flowering plants being pollinated by animals, vascular plants being dispersed by animals, and corals with zooxanthellae, among many others.

Detailed explanation-3: -Legumes are able to form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria called rhizobia. The result of this symbiosis is to form nodules on the plant root, within which the bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that can be used by the plant.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plants have evolved a mutualistic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria because bacteria will transform nitrogen into a useful form for plants and plants will provide carbohydrates and other nutrients to the bacteria.