Question

Nitrogen fixation is shown by prokaryotes and not by eukaryotes. Comment.

Answer 1

Nitrogen fixation:

This process of conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and other related compounds like nitrates and nitrites is called nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogenase in prokaryotes:

In biological nitrogen fixation, bacteria and cyanobacteria take part as they have nitrogen-fixing enzymes (nitrogenase). This enzyme gets inactivated in the presence of oxygen. The prokaryotes, being able to satisfy the requirements of this enzyme, are able to carry out the process.

Nitrogenase in eukaryotes:

In eukaryotes, nitrogenase enzymes are absent due to which they do not exhibit the process of nitrogen fixation.