Question

What is the reduction of nitrogen to ammonia by living entities called?

Answer 1

Reduction of nitrogen to ammonia:

1. Nitrogen fixation is the process in which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia.
2. The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia by living entities under the combined action of biological and chemical activities.
3. Nitrogenase is used for catalyzing the conversion of nitrogen in the air to ammonia.

Nitrogen Fixation:

1. Nitrogen fixation is an essentially biological process and is said to be the initial stage of the nitrogen cycle.
2. In this process, nitrogen present in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (other forms of nitrogen) by certain bacterial species like the Rhizobium, Azotobacter, etc., and by other natural phenomena like lightning.
3. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria may be free-living or symbiotic.
4. Some of the free-living nitrogen fixers are Azotobacter, Beijernickia, Rhodospirillum, cyanobacteria, etc.