Question

Explain the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle. How would life on Earth be affected if nitrogen were not cycled?

Answer 1

The nitrogen cycle includes nitrogen fixation (bacteria like Rhizobium and Azotobacter convert $$\mathrm{N_2}$$ into ammonia), nitrification (Nitrosomonas forms nitrite, Nitrobacter forms nitrate), assimilation (plants take up nitrates), ammonification (decomposers release ammonia) and denitrification (Pseudomonas converts nitrate back to $$\mathrm{N_2}$$). If nitrogen were not cycled, usable nitrogen compounds would run out, plants could not make proteins and nucleic acids, and life would collapse.