Question

Nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis are similar, as they both

• A. Remove a nutrient from the atmosphere
• B. Release a nutrient into the atmosphere
• C. Convert a nutrient into energy
• D. Permanently remove a nutrient from the biosphere
• E. Convert a nutrient from one soil compound to another soil compound

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Convert a nutrient into energy

Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric molecular nitrogen into usable forms of nitrogen like nitrate, ammonia, amino acids etc. Nitrogen is present in atmosphere as dinitrogen (N₂) which cannot be utilized directly by plants. So, it is converted or fixed into compounds prior to utilisation by the action of microbes.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water are transformed into simple carbohydrates and oxygen is liberated into the atmosphere.

Hence, in both nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis, nutrients are being converted into energy.

So, the correct answer is 'Convert a nutrient into energy'.