Question

How does the nitrogen cycle affect plants?

Answer 1

Hint: Plants require nitrogen to live; hence, plants in general depend on the nitrogen cycle and are part of it. In the nitrogen cycle, the nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among various ecosystems. The conversion of nitrogen can be carried out through physical and biological processes. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle are: fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

Complete answer:
Plants require nitrogen to live, hence we can say that plants depend on the nitrogen cycle and are a crucial part of it. Nitrogen is found in all living cells and is used to make proteins and amino acids. Nitrogen is important for plant growth. Plants take in nitrogen in the form of nitrate ions and ammonium ions from the soil through their roots. Plants are able to obtain the nitrogen from ammonia but this is not their main source of nitrogen.
Nitrogen cycle helps plants to synthesize chlorophyll from the nitrogen compounds. This cycle helps in converting the inert nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants through biochemical processes. Nitrites and nitrates are released into the soil, which helps in enriching the soil with necessary nutrients required for cultivation. This helps in plant growth. If the plant is consumed by another organism, it becomes an important source of nitrogen to that organism. When organisms or plants that have consumed plants die and decay, microorganisms break down nitrogen present in the proteins and amino acids into ammonia that is returned to soil. Some bacteria can return the nitrogen in the decaying matter to the atmosphere.

Note: Nitrogen is also cycled by activities of humans by the combustion of fuels and the use of nitrogen fertilizers. These processes increase levels of the nitrogen-containing compounds in the atmosphere. The fertilizers containing nitrogen are washed away in the lakes and rivers and result in eutrophication.