Human and Social Biology

Section A. 14

The Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen moves between the atmosphere, soil,
plants, animals, and microorganisms. Nitrogen is essential for all living organisms, as it is a
major component of amino acids, proteins, and DNA.

Key Stages of the Nitrogen Cycle:

1. Nitrogen Fixation:
o Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium) convert atmospheric nitrogen
(N₂) into ammonia (NH₃), which plants can absorb.
o Lightning can also fix nitrogen, breaking nitrogen gas into nitrogen oxides
that fall to the earth in rainwater.
o Industrial Nitrogen Fixation: The Haber process converts nitrogen gas into
ammonia for fertilizers.
2. Nitrification:
o This two-step process converts ammonia into forms plants can use:
1. Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia (NH₃) into nitrites (NO₂⁻).
2. Nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrites into nitrates (NO₃⁻), which plants
absorb through their roots.
3. Assimilation:
o Plants absorb nitrates and ammonia from the soil and use these nitrogen
compounds to build proteins and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).
o Animals obtain nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals.
4. Ammonification:
o When plants and animals die or release waste, decomposers (bacteria and
fungi) convert organic nitrogen back into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium
(NH₄⁺).
5. Denitrification:
o Denitrifying bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas) convert nitrates (NO₃⁻) back into
nitrogen gas (N₂), releasing it into the atmosphere, completing the cycle.

Importance of the Nitrogen Cycle:

 Ecosystem Health: The nitrogen cycle provides plants with essential nutrients
that they cannot obtain directly from the atmosphere.
 Agriculture: The nitrogen cycle is critical for crop growth; fertilizers often add
nitrogen to the soil to enhance productivity.
 Human Impact: Overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff
and pollution in aquatic ecosystems (eutrophication).
 Nitrogen fixation is crucial because most organisms cannot use atmospheric
nitrogen directly. Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates, while animals
obtain nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals.
 Denitrification returns nitrogen to the atmosphere, ensuring the balance of
nitrogen in the air.
Diagram:

A nitrogen cycle diagram should show the

following processes:

 Nitrogen fixation (atmosphere to

soil)
 Nitrification (ammonia to nitrate)
 Assimilation (plant uptake)
 Ammonification (decomposition of
organic matter)
 Denitrification (nitrates back to
atmospheric nitrogen)

Nitrogen Cycle Summary Table:

Stage Process Key Organisms/Components Outcome

Conversion of atmospheric Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Makes nitrogen available

Nitrogen
nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia Rhizobium) in root nodules; in a form plants can
Fixation
(NH₃) lightning absorb (NH₃)

Ammonia (NH₃) is converted Produces nitrates (NO₃⁻),

Nitrifying bacteria (e.g.,
Nitrification to nitrites (NO₂⁻) and then to which plants can absorb
Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter)
nitrates (NO₃⁻) from soil

Nitrogen becomes part of

Plants take up nitrates (NO₃⁻)
Assimilation Plants (roots) plant proteins and
to form organic compounds
nucleic acids

Decomposition of dead Organic nitrogen from

Ammonification organisms, releasing Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) dead organisms is
ammonia (NH₃) converted to ammonia

Nitrogen is returned to
Nitrates (NO₃⁻) are converted Denitrifying bacteria (e.g.,
Denitrification the atmosphere,
back into nitrogen gas (N₂) Pseudomonas)
completing the cycle
The Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle describes the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, soil,
plants, animals, and fossil fuels. Carbon is essential for life as it is the building block of
organic compounds.

Stages of the Carbon Cycle:

1. Photosynthesis:
o Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the
atmosphere and convert it into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) during photosynthesis.
o Equation:

6𝐶𝑂2 + 6𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐶6 𝐻12 𝑂6 + 6𝑂2

o Carbon is stored in plants as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
2. Respiration:
o Both plants and animals break down glucose during respiration, releasing
carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
o Equation:

𝐶6 𝐻12 𝑂6 + 6𝑂2 → 6𝐶𝑂2 + 6𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦

3. Decomposition:
o When plants and animals die, decomposers break down their organic matter,
releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or soil.
o Some carbon is stored in the soil as organic material (humus).
4. Combustion:
o The burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas) and biomass
releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere in the form of carbon
dioxide.
o Human activities, such as industrialization and deforestation, have increased
the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
5. Oceanic Carbon Cycle:
o The oceans absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
o Marine organisms use dissolved CO₂ to make calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) for
their shells and skeletons. When they die, their remains can form sedimentary
rocks like limestone.
o Carbon can be stored in ocean sediments for millions of years before being
released through geological activity, such as volcanic eruptions.
6. Fossilization:
o Over millions of years, dead plants and animals can be buried and subjected to
heat and pressure, forming fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), which store
carbon underground.
Key Points:

 Photosynthesis and respiration are the primary biological processes in the carbon
cycle.
 Combustion and human activities, such as deforestation, contribute to increased
levels of atmospheric CO₂, which is a major factor in climate change.
 The ocean is a major carbon sink, absorbing CO₂ and helping to regulate the carbon
balance.

Diagram:

A carbon cycle diagram should show:

 Photosynthesis (CO₂ from atmosphere to plants)

 Respiration (CO₂ released by plants and animals)
 Combustion (fossil fuel burning releasing CO₂)
 Decomposition (carbon returned to soil and atmosphere)
 Ocean absorption (carbon dissolved in water)
 Carbon Cycle Summary Table:

Key
Stage Process Outcome
Organisms/Components

Plants convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) Plants, algae, and CO₂ is used to make glucose
Photosynthesis
from the atmosphere into glucose photosynthetic bacteria (C₆H₁₂O₆), which stores energy

Breakdown of glucose to release

Plants, animals, and CO₂ is released as a by-product
Respiration energy, returning CO₂ to the
microorganisms of cellular respiration
atmosphere

Dead organisms are broken down,

Decomposers (bacteria Organic carbon is returned to
Decomposition releasing CO₂ into the soil and
and fungi) the atmosphere as CO₂
atmosphere

Burning of fossil fuels or biomass, Fossil fuels (coal, oil, CO₂ is released into the
Combustion
releasing stored carbon gas), biomass atmosphere

CO₂ is absorbed by the ocean and Carbon is stored in ocean

Oceanic Carbon Marine organisms,
used by marine organisms to form sediments, some eventually
Cycle carbon sink (ocean)
shells released

The Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles

1. Which of the following is the main B. Ammonification

purpose of the nitrogen fixation process? C. Nitrogen fixation
A. To convert atmospheric nitrogen into D. Plant and animal uptake of nitrogen
forms that plants can absorb compounds
B. To remove nitrogen from the soil and
release it into the atmosphere 4. A major environmental concern related
C. To break down organic nitrogen to the nitrogen cycle is:
compounds into ammonia A. Insufficient nitrogen availability for
D. To convert nitrates into nitrogen gas plant growth
B. Excessive build-up of ammonia in the
2. What is the primary role of denitrifying atmosphere
bacteria in the nitrogen cycle? C. Nutrient runoff and eutrophication from
A. To convert nitrates into nitrogen gas nitrogen fertilizers
B. To convert ammonia into nitrites D. Insufficient denitrification leading to a
C. To absorb nitrates from the soil for nitrogen shortage
plant growth
D. To break down organic nitrogen into 5. What is the primary source of nitrogen
ammonia fixation in natural ecosystems?
A. Industrial nitrogen fixation using the
3. Which of these processes in the nitrogen Haber process
cycle is considered an "assimilation" step? B. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in
A. Nitrification symbiosis with plants
C. Atmospheric nitrogen being converted 11. Which stage of the nitrogen cycle
by lightning involves the conversion of ammonia to
D. Decomposition of organic matter nitrates?
releasing ammonia A. Nitrogen fixation
B. Nitrification
6. In the carbon cycle, which of these C. Denitrification
processes involves the direct conversion of D. Ammonification
carbon dioxide into glucose?
A. Respiration 12. Where does the majority of nitrogen
B. Photosynthesis fixation in natural ecosystems occur?
C. Decomposition A. In the atmosphere through lightning
D. Combustion B. In the soil through nitrogen-fixing
bacteria
7. Which of the following are primary C. In the oceans through marine nitrogen
sinks (reservoirs) for carbon in the global fixers
carbon cycle? D. In industrial facilities using the Haber
A. Fossil fuels and the atmosphere process
B. Oceans and the atmosphere
C. Plants and the atmosphere 13. What is the primary reason the
D. Oceans, plants, and fossil fuels nitrogen cycle is considered crucial for
ecosystem health?
8. What is the primary mechanism by A. It provides essential nitrogen for plant
which carbon dioxide is removed from the growth
atmosphere and stored in the oceans? B. It regulates the levels of greenhouse
A. Dissolution of CO2 in ocean water gases
B. Photosynthesis by marine organisms C. It controls the acidity of soil and water
C. Precipitation of calcium carbonate D. It breaks down organic waste and
shells pollutants
D. All of the above
14. How do humans directly intervene in
9. Which of these processes in the carbon the nitrogen cycle to increase agricultural
cycle releases carbon dioxide back into the productivity?
atmosphere? A. By promoting denitrification in soils
A. Photosynthesis B. By enhancing nitrogen fixation through
B. Respiration Rhizobium inoculation
C. Decomposition C. By adding nitrogen-based fertilizers to
D. B and C croplands
D. By encouraging the decomposition of
10. How have human activities impacted organic matter
the global carbon cycle?
A. Increased the rate of photosynthesis and 15. What is the main process by which
plant growth carbon is removed from the atmosphere
B. Reduced the amount of carbon stored in and stored long-term in the Earth's crust?
fossil fuels A. Photosynthesis
C. Increased the concentration of CO2 in B. Respiration
the atmosphere C. Decomposition
D. Accelerated the rate of carbon transfer D. Fossilization
to the oceans