Assertion: Manganese is an activator of enzyme nitrite reductase. Reason: Manganese deficient cells prefer ammonia over nitrate.
Mn plays an important role in nitrate reduction. Manganese acts as an activator for the enzyme nitrite reductase and hydroxylamine reductase. The preference of ammonia over nitrate as a nitrogen source by the manganese – deficient cells supports the above mention analysis of the role of manganese.