Question

Nitrates are converted into nitrogen by

• A. Ammonifying bacteria
• B. Denitrifying bacteria
• C. Nitrogen fixing bacteria
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Denitrifying bacteria

Animals cannot absorb nitrates directly. They receive their nutrient supplies by consuming plants or plant consuming animals. Specialized decomposing bacteria start a process, called as ammonification, to convert nitrogen nutrients back into ammonia and water soluble ammonium salts.

After the nutrients are converted back into ammonia, anaerobic bacteria will convert them back into nitrogen gas, during a process called as denitrification.