The correct option is
A A biological process of nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the soil
The correct answer is option A: A biological process of nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the soil.
The explanation for the Correct answer :
Nitrogen fixation :
- The process of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms is termed nitrogen fixation
- The nitrogen molecules present in the air are converted to nitrates and nitrites by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in plants takes place by free-living or symbiotic bacteria.
- The free-living bacteria such as Azotobacter bacteria fix the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, and Azospirillum bacteria form a loose association with the roots of crops such as maize, and sorghum to fix the atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites.
- These bacteria contain an enzyme nitrogenase that combines the atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia, which is further converted to nitrates and nitrites which can be utilized by plants to make their organic compounds.
The explanation for the incorrect answer:
Option B: A biological process of carbon fixing factor present in the soil
For nitrogen fixation, no carbon fixing factor is present in the soil
Option C: Any of the industries manufacturing nitrogenous compounds
- The compounds that contain Nitrogen are called nitrogenous compounds, which are made by industries
- The industries fix the atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into ammonia through chemical processes such as the Haber process
- The Ammonia formed by this process gets converted to nitrates or it reacts with acids to form ammonium salts which can be ammonium salts are used as fertilizers and can be utilized by plants
Option D: The plants used as cereal crops in the field
The plants used as cereal crops in the field do not convert the atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Final answer: A correct answer is an option (A)