From the options given below, identify the gene responsible for nitrogen fixation.
A
Nif
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B
Nitrogenase
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C
Leg-haemoglobin
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D
None of the above
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Solution
The correct option is A Nif The nif genes are genes encoding enzymes involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. The main enzyme coded by the gene is the nitrogenase complex which converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, which plants can use for various purposes.
Leguminous haemoglobin (leg-haemoglobin) is a pink pigment present in the root nodules of leguminous plants and is essential for nitrogen fixation. The enzyme nitrogenase is sensitive to oxygen and requires anaerobic conditions. Leg-haemoglobin acts as an oxygen scavenger and helps in oxygen removal and thus provides anaerobic conditions for the enzyme to work.