Question

Plants cannot directly take in nitrogen from the atmosphere. How do they do it?

• A. Combustion of fuels
• B. Nitrogen Fixation
• C. Biodegradation
• D. Nitrate salts formed from nitric acid and minerals in the soil

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
B

Nitrogen Fixation

C

Biodegradation

D

Nitrate salts formed from nitric acid and minerals in the soil

Nitric acid formed during lightning reacts with minerals in the soil and forms nitrate salts which are absorbed by plants.

Biodegradation of the remains of plants and animals are another source of nitrogen for plants.

The third way is through nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is the process by which a type of bacteria called rhizobium bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds which be used by plants.