Question

Nitrifying bacteria are able to

• A. Convert atmospheric nitrogen into soluble forms
• B. Convert ammonia to nitrate
• C. Ammonia to nitrogen
• D. Nitrate to nitrogen

Answer 1

The correct option is B Convert ammonia to nitrate

Nitrification is an important process in nitrogen cycle in nature, which is brought about by nitrifying bacteria. In warm moist soils having a temperature of $30-{35}^0$C and neutral pH, ammonia gets oxidized to nitrite ($N{O}_2^{-}$) and then nitrate ($N{O}_3^{-}$) by the process of nitrification.

Nitrifying bacteria like Nitrosomonas convert ammonia to nitrite and another bacterium, called as Nitrobacter converts nitrite to nitrate.