Question

How 16 ATP is utilized in nitrogen fixation?

Answer 1

Nitrogen fixation:

1. Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is absorbed by organisms.
2. Nitrogen fixation is essentially converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use more easily.

Utilization of 16 ATP in nitrogen fixation:

1. Microbes require 16 ATP for reduction of one mole of nitrogen.
2. Nitrogenase enzyme provides 3 hydrogen atoms to each nitrogen atom.
3. The 8 electrons come from reduced ferredoxin which is produced in the photosynthesis process.
4. Two ATP molecules come from each transferred electron.
5. This all sums up in 16 ATP molecules for each nitrogen molecule reduced.