Nitrogen cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle is the process by which nitrogen

is converted between its various chemical forms. This
can take place in 2 ways-

○ Biological Process
○ Physical Process

Nitrogen Cycle is present in the nitrogen cycle in the

following forms-
● Organic nitrogen-

○ Amino acids
○ Adenosine triphosphate

● Inorganic Nitrogen-
○ Nitrous Gas (N2)
○ Nitrite
○ Nitrate
 Steps in Nitrogen Cycle

1. 2. 3.
Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen Assimilation Ammonification
Coversion of free nitrogen intoInorganic Nitrogen is absorbed Release of ammonia by
Biologically acceptable by green plants via their roots certain microorganisms using
Nitrogenous Compound. and converted into compounds derived from dead
Nitrogenous organic remains of plants, animals and
compounds. excreta.

4. 5. 6.
Nitrification Denitrification Sedimentation
Enzymatic Oxidation of Reduction of Nitrates back Nitrates of soil are locked up
ammonia to nitrate using into the largely inert Nitrogen in the rocks while they are
certain microorganism in soil Gas. washed down into the sea, or
or ocean. leached deeply into the earth
along percolating water. This
phenomenon is called
Nitrogen fixation
•Process by which atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium
ions (NH₄⁺).
•Performed by specific bacteria (diazotrophs) in soil or symbiotic associations.
•Essential for making nitrogen available to plants.
•Chemical Reactions:
•Biological Nitrogen Fixation (Symbiotic):
•Rhizobium (legume root nodules) or Frankia (actinorhizal plants) use nitrogenase enzyme.
•Reaction:
N2​+ 8H^+ + 8e^− + 16ATP → 2NH4^+​+ H2​+ 16ADP + 16Pi
•Biological Nitrogen Fixation (Free-Living):
•Azotobacter and Clostridium perform nitrogen fixation.
•Reaction:
N2​+ 8H^+ + 8e^− + 16ATP → 2NH4^+ ​+ H2​+ 16ADP + 16Pi
•Abiotic Nitrogen Fixation (Lightning):
•Electrical discharges convert N₂ to NOₓ compounds (nitric oxides).
•These dissolve in rainwater and form nitrates (NO₃⁻).
•Industrial Nitrogen Fixation (Haber-Bosch Process):
•High-pressure reaction of N₂ and H₂ over iron catalyst.
•Produces ammonia (NH₃) for fertilizers.
•Reaction:
N2​+ 3H2 ​→ 2NH3​
Nitrogen Assimilation
• Definition: The process by which organisms convert inorganic nitrogen
compounds (such as nitrate and ammonium) into organic nitrogen
compounds (like amino acids).
• Organisms Involved: Plants, fungi, and certain bacteria.
• Sources of Nitrogen:
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻): Absorbed from the soil (predominant form in aerobic
soils).
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): Also absorbed from the soil (can predominate in
specific conditions).
• Transport: Nitrogen is transported from roots to shoots via xylem as
nitrate, dissolved ammonia, and amino acids.
• Nitrate Reduction:
• Nitrate → Nitrite (NO₂⁻) by nitrate reductase (cytosol).
• Nitrite → Ammonia (NH₃) by ferredoxin-dependent nitrite reductase
(chloroplasts).
• Ammonia Incorporation:
• Glutamine synthetase incorporates ammonia into glutamine using
glutamate as a substrate.
• Glutamate synthase transfers the amide group onto 2-oxoglutarate, pr
Ammonification
•Ammonification is a part of the nitrogen cycle where microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi)
decompose dead organic matter from plants and animals.
•It converts organic nitrogen (found in compounds within living organisms) into inorganic ammonia (NH₃) or
ammonium ions (NH₄⁺).

•Process:

•Decomposition: Microorganisms break down nitrogen-containing chemicals (like amino acids and DNA)
from dead organic matter.
•Formation of Ammonia:
1.Amides or amines (R-NH₂) in organic matter are decomposed, forming ammonia (NH₃).
2.NH₃ is further reduced to form NH₄⁺ (ammonium ions).
•Chemical Equation:
•Overall:
RNH2 ​+ 2H2​O → NH4^+ ​+ OH^− + ROH
•Step 1:
R−NH2​+ H2​O → NH3​+ R−OH
•Step 2:
NH3​+ H2​O → NH4^+​+ OH^−
•Importance:
•Provides essential nitrogen for living organisms.
•Returns inorganic nitrogen to the soil, reentering the nitrogen cycle.
•Helps plants grow and supports aquatic ecosystems.
Nitrification
•Definition: The biological oxidation of ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) to nitrate
(NO₃⁻) via the intermediary nitrite (NO₂⁻).

•Importance: Converts ammonia (from organic matter decomposition or fertilizers) into a

form that plants can use.

•Nitritation (Ammonia Oxidation):

Ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) → Nitrite (NO₂⁻)

•Performed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing

archaea (AOA).
•Enzyme involved: Ammonia monooxygenase (AMO).
•Reaction:

2NH4^+ ​+ 3O2​→ 2NO2^− ​+ 4H^+ + 2H2​O

•Nitrite Oxidation:
Nitrite (NO₂⁻) → Nitrate (NO₃⁻)
•Carried out by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB).
•Reaction:
2NO2^− ​+ O2 ​→ 2NO3^−​
Denitrification
•Denitrification occurs in anaerobic conditions (low oxygen levels).
•Microorganisms facilitate the stepwise reduction of nitrogen
compounds.
•Sequential Reduction:

•NO₃⁻ (Nitrate) → NO₂⁻ (Nitrite) → NO (Nitric Oxide) → N₂O

(Nitrous Oxide) → N₂ (Dinitrogen).

•Each step involves specific enzymes:

•Nitrate reductase: Converts nitrate to nitrite.
•Nitrite reductase: Converts nitrite to nitric oxide.
•Nitric oxide reductase: Converts nitric oxide to nitrous oxide.
•Nitrous oxide reductase: Converts nitrous oxide to dinitrogen.
•Redox Reaction:
•The complete denitrification process:
2NO3^− ​+ 10e^− + 12H^+ → N2​+ 6H2​O
 Microorganisms engaged in the
Nitrogen Cycle
Symbiotic Bacteria- Converts atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia
using nitrogenase enzyme.
Ex. Azotobacter and Rhizobium.

Free Living Bacteria- Azotobacter is used to perform nitrogen fixation.

Ammonia to Nitrite bacteria- Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus

converts ammonia to nitrites.

Nitrite to Nitrate bacteria- Nitrobacter adds oxygen to nitrites, thus

forming nitrates.

Denitrification- Bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Paracoccus, and

Bacillus convert nitrates into Nitrogen gas, thus completing the
Nitrogen Cycle.