2. MOVEMENT BETWEEN PLANTS ANIMALS BACTERIA ATMOSPHERE SOIL
NITROGEN CYCLE
MOVEMENT BETWEEN
PLANTS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
ATMOSPHERE
SOIL

3. Nitrogen is required for all organisms to live and grow
Nitrogen is an Essential Components of:
DNA
RNA
Protein

4. NITROGEN
Needed to make Chlorophyll in plants; which is used in photosynthesis to make their food and energy (6H2O + 6CO C6H12O6 + 6O2)

5. Most organisms cannot use atmospheric nitrogen
NITROGEN FUNCTIONS
ATMOSPHERE (AIR): N2
70% OF NITROGEN GAS
Most organisms cannot use atmospheric nitrogen
SOIL CONTAINS:
NO3: NITRATES
NO2: NITRITES
NH3: AMMONIA

6. BACTERIA HELPS NITROGEN CHANGE STATES TO BE ABSORBED BY PLANTS
For Nitrogen to be used by organisms:
Bacteria is an important step that helps convert nitrogen from the air/atmosphere
Needs to be converted to NH3 (Ammonia)
Fungi and Bacteria decompose dead organic matter

7. PROCESSES OF THE NITROGEN CYCLE
Nitrogen Fixation:
N NH3
Changes nitrogen directly from the atmosphere
Nitrogen fixing bacteria inhabit legume root nodules. Ex: peas, beans, and clover
Natural events: lightning, forest fires, lava flows cause fixation at small level

8. Ammonification: Decaying Process
When a plant or animals die, decomposers turn nitrogen into ammonia
Ammonia reenters nitrogen cycle

9. Nitrogen Nitrification NH3 NO2 NO2 NO3
Ammonium gets changed into nitrates by bacteria
Plants can absorb
Not all plants consume NO3, they can directly use ammonia

10. Extra nitrogen in the soil gets put back into the atmosphere
Denitrification:
NO N2 + N2O
Carried out by denitrifying bacteria
Extra nitrogen in the soil gets put back into the atmosphere

12. Humans alter Nitrogen cycle to Nitric Acid (HNO3)
Agriculture: Deforestation and break-up of soil
Industry:
Combustion (burning gas)
Automobile Exhaust: