Question

What happens during nitrogen fixation?

Answer 1

Nitrogen Fixation:

1. Nitrogen fixation is an essentially biological process and is said to be the initial stage of the nitrogen cycle.
2. In this process, nitrogen present in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (other forms of nitrogen) by certain bacterial species like the Rhizobium, Azotobacter, etc. and by other natural phenomena like lightning.
3. Certain bacteria or prokaryotes are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. This process is known as biological nitrogen fixation.
4. The equation for biological nitrogen fixation is N₂ + 8H⁺ + 8e⁻ + 16 ATP → 2NH₃ + H₂ + 16ADP + 16 P.
5. The enzyme nitrogenase then converts dinitrogen to ammonia.
6. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria may be free-living or symbiotic.
7. Some of the free-living nitrogen fixers are Azotobacter, Beijernickia, Rhodospirillum, Cyanobacteria, etc.