Question

What is biological nitrogen fixation? Give one example.

Answer 1

Biological nitrogen fixation:

1. Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting free nitrogen in the atmosphere into nitrogen molecules.
2. So that plants can absorb and use it.
3. It is both symbiotic and asymbiotic.
4. Free-living bacteria such as Azotobacter, Clostridium, Nostoc, and Anabaena can fix nitrogen in asymbiotic way.
5. Nitrogen fixation is carried out by Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium bacteria in a symbiotic way.
6. This fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by microbes is called biotic nitrogen fixation.
7. e.g. bacteria and the plant form a mutualistic interaction in nitrogen fixation.
8. Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium species enter the roots of legumes and form root nodules.
9. Then they convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds.