THE NITROGEN CYCLE

Nitrogen is a crucial element for all living things, a key element in amino acids
that make proteins and nucleic acids.
The atmosphere is 79% Nitrogen – N2.
Atmospheric nitrogen is stable and can often be in short supply in ecosystems.
Bacteria in the soil (nitrifying bacteria) are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into
nitrate ions (NO3-). Some live mutualistically with plants.
Other bacteria are able to convert ammonia (NH3) into nitrate ions.
Nitrate ions can be taken up by plants.
Lightning can oxidise nitrogen into nitrate ions.
Denitrifying bacteria can change nitrate back into atmospheric nitrogen.
Farmers add fertiliser – high in nitrates – to the soil.
Questions
1) Describe five instances in the nitrogen cycle where bacterial action is
important.
2) Identify 3 processes that fix atmospheric nitrogen.
3) Describe how nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere.
4) Name the main reservoir that provides a source of nitrogen.
5) State the form in which nitrogen is available to most plants.
6) Name another nitrogen source available to a few plants.
7) Describe one way in which humans can intervene in the nitrogen cycle.
8) What is the consequence of having too much nitrogen in the soil?

Questions
1) Describe five instances in the nitrogen cycle where bacterial action is
important.
2) Identify 3 processes that fix atmospheric nitrogen.
3) Describe how nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere.
4) Name the main reservoir that provides a source of nitrogen.
5) State the form in which nitrogen is available to most plants.
6) Name another nitrogen source available to a few plants.
7) Describe one way in which humans can intervene in the nitrogen cycle.
8) What is the consequence of having too much nitrogen in the soil?

Use the information below to draw up a nitrogen cycle poster.

Nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen is essential for the formation of amino acids in proteins. The nitrogen cycle is a model that
explains how nitrogen is recycled.
There's lot of nitrogen in air – about 78% of the air is nitrogen. Because nitrogen is so unreactive, it
cannot be used directly by plants to make protein. Only nitratesare useful to plants, so we are dependent
on other processes to convert nitrogen to nitrates in the soil.

1. Nitrogen gas is converted to nitrate compounds by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil or root

nodules. Lightning also converts nitrogen gas to nitrate compounds. The Haber process converts
nitrogen gas into ammonia used in fertilizers. Ammonia is converted to nitrates by nitrifying
bacteria in the soil.

2. Plants absorb nitrates from the soil and use these to build up proteins. The plant may be eaten by
an animal, and its biomass used to produce animal protein.
3. Urea and egested material is broken down by decomposers. This results in nitrogen being
returned to the soil as ammonia.

4. Decomposers also break down the bodies of dead organisms resulting in nitrogen being returned
to the soil as ammonia.

5. Higher only: In some conditions denitrifying bacteria in the soil break down nitrates and return
nitrogen to the air. This is usually in waterlogged soil. Improving drainage reduces this effect,
making the soil more fertile.