Question

Give reason: The process of nitrogen fixation does not take place in the presence of oxygen.

Answer 1

1. Although atmospheric nitrogen, or N₂, is relatively inert, nitrogen-fixing bacteria have nitrifying enzymes involved in nitrogen-fixing.
2. However, the enzyme nitrogen is susceptible to destruction by the elemental form of oxygen.
3. Because of this, nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in anaerobic environments, such as root nodules.
4. Nitrogen-fixing enzyme is oxygen-sensitive because it specializes in binding hydrogen to nitrogen.