Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Importance of Nitrogen
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Summary
- What’s Next?
In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Microorganisms’, we learnt about the Physical methods of food preservation. In this segment, let us get ourselves introduced to the Nitrogen fixation and the nitrogen cycle.
Why is Nitrogen important?
- Atmospheric nitrogen is extremely important for the proper functioning of cells.
- Proteins found in cells are made up of amino acids, which are in turn made up of nitrogen molecules.
- Many other compounds important for the cells are made up of nitrogen.
What is Nitrogen Fixation?
It is the process which converts the elemental form of nitrogen to simpler forms so that it can be used by living organisms.
Humans cannot take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere so they get it from plants. Plants also cannot take the nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. They seek the help of several bacteria and blue-green algae present in the soil. These organisms are called Nitrogen-Fixing Organisms. These nitrogen-fixing organisms convert the atmospheric nitrogen into consumable compounds for the plants. The animals then consume these plants to get the nitrogen. This process is called Nitrogen Fixation.
