Question

Why plants cannot absorb molecular nitrogen from the atmosphere?

• A. Nitrogen is highly reactive
• B. Abundance in the atmosphere inhibits absorption
• C. Nitrogen is highly stable
• D. Nitrogen is toxic

Answer 1

The correct option is C Nitrogen is highly stable

Plants require nitrogen but cannot absorb it directly because the strong triple bond between the N atoms in N2 molecule makes it stable and inert.
Nitrogen fixation is the process wherein N2 is converted into
soluble form by nitrogen fixing bacteria.