Question

Are bacteria the main nitrogen reservoir?

Answer 1

Bacteria:

1. Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotes found in a diverse range of environments.
2. They contain a nucleoid instead of a true nucleus and lack various membrane-bound cell organelles.
3. Nitrogen plays a pivotal role in different cellular processes. It is a key component of amino acids, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, etc.
4. Bacteria are not the main nitrogen reservoir. The atmosphere is the largest nitrogen reservoir.
5. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium contain an enzyme called nitrogenase.
6. This enzyme converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms- nitrates and nitrites, which are easily absorbed by plants.