Question

Leguminous plants are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic activity. Which is not correct?

• A. Leghaemoglobin scavenges oxygen and is pinkish in colour.
• B. Nitrogenase is insensitive to oxygen.
• C. Nodules act as sites for nitrogen fixation.
• D. The enzyme nitrogenase catalyses the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Nitrogenase is insensitive to oxygen.

The enzyme nitrogenase is highly sensitive to the molecular oxygen; it requires anaerobic conditions. The nodules have adaptations that ensure that the enzyme is protected from oxygen.

So the correct option is "nitrogenase is insensitive to oxygen".