Environmen

PLANTS

GROUP 4

THE
NITROGEN
CYCLE

What is Nitrogen?
Nitrogen makes up about 78%
of our atmosphere.
Nitrogen in the atmosphere it is mostly
in the form of N2, which is a compound
that plants and animals cannot use.
The process of converting nitrogen into
compounds that can be used by plants and
animals is called the Nitrogen Cycle.
Cycle

Why we care about nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential
component of
DNA, RNA and Proteins
_____________________.
The building blocks of life.

How does atmospheric nitrogen (N2) get

changed into a form that can be used by
most living organisms?

By traveling through one of the Five

processes in the Nitrogen Cycle!
(1) Nitrogen Fixation
(5) Denitrification
Nitrogen
Cycle

(4) Ammonification

(2) Nitrification
(3) Assimilation

Process 1: Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen Fixation is the process in which the
N2 compound in the atmosphere breaks and
combines with other compounds. The
nitrogen is fixed when it combines with
hydrogen or oxygen.
N
H
H

N2
H

Ammonia (NH3)

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Three ways to fix Nitrogen

Main process: Special bacteria
convert the nitrogen gas (N2) to
ammonia (NH3), which only some
plants can use (peas, beans).
Lightning strikes convert N2 to N2O
or NO3.
Industrial production. Chemical
manipulation turns N2 into NH3
(Fertilizer)

Process 2: Nitrification
Nitrification is the process that
converts ammonia (NH3) into nitrites
(NO2) and nitrates (NO3) which most
plants can use.

H
H

Note: Ammonia comes from both

nitrogen fixation and ammonification

N
H

How is it done?
Bacteria!

Process 3: Assimilation
Assimilation - process by which plants and
animals incorporate the ammonia and NO3-,
formed through nitrogen fixation and
nitrification.

Process 4: Ammonification
Ammonification - After all the living organisms
have used the organic nitrogen, decomposer
bacteria convert the nitrogen to ammonia.
H
N
H
Bacteria

Organic Nitrogen (proteins)

Ammonia

Process 5: Denitrification
Denitrification: Process in which nitrogen
compounds convert back into atmospheric
nitrogen (N2 or N2O).
The main process is performed by bacteria in
the soil. It can also happen by burning fossil
fuels.
N2

NO3

N2O