Nitrogen fixation: Is a crucial biological process

Nitrogen fixation is a crucial biological process. It converts nitrogen gas in the air into a form that plants can use. This process supports all life on Earth. Importance Of Nitrogen Nitrogen is an essential element for life. It is a building block of DNA and proteins. Plants need nitrogen to grow and produce food. Without nitrogen , life would not exist. Natural Vs. Human-induced Fixation There are two types of nitrogen fixation : natural and human-induced. Steps of Nitrogen Cycle 1. Nitrogen Fixation The first stage in the nitrogen cycle is the reduction of N2 gas to ammonia, a process called nitrogen fixation . The process of converting atmospheric N2 gas into ammonia is carried out by only a few microorganisms, termed diazotrophs which have an enzyme called “nitrogenase” that combines nitrogen atoms with hydrogen atoms. These are some free-living soil bacteria such as Klebsiella and Azotobacter, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and the ... Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) occurs when atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia by an enzyme called nitrogenase. The reaction for BNF is: This type of reaction results in N 2 gaining electrons (see above equation) and is thus termed a reduction reaction. The exact mechanism of catalysis is unknown due to the technical difficulties biochemists have in actually visualizing this reaction in vitro, so the exact sequence of the steps of this reaction are not completely understood ... Learn what nitrogen fixation is, how it occurs naturally and artificially, and why it is important for plants and animals. Find out the types, examples, and chemical equation of biological nitrogen fixation by soil and aquatic bacteria.