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Why is it so difficult for living organisms to acquire nitrogen?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Nitrogen gas is very stable because there is a triple bond between each atom of Nitrogen in a molecule of N2. This bond is very hard to break and it must be broken before it can react with anything. This process almost always uses more energy than you get back.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoCertain organisms use oxygen in one of life's fundamental processes; aerobic respiration. 'Aerobic' means 'requiring air.' Air is not just one chemical however- it is a mixture. The main gas is nitrogen (78%), followed by oxygen (21%) and other gases in various proportions.
Nitrogen isn't used by organisms because of its chemistry. Molecular nitrogen is one of the most inert chemicals in the universe. This is because the two Nitrogen atoms that make up the molecule are bonded together by three covalent 'chemical' bonds. Chemistry involves making and breaking such bonds. As this is takes masses of energy to perform on Nitrogen, life has evolved to use a more reactive gas- oxygen.
Respiration is the process organisms use to release chemical energy from sugars etc. 'Chemical energy' is a chemical called ATP. In making ATP, lots of protons (hydrogen atoms stripped of their electron) are pumped across the inner membrane in mitochondria- the main ATP 'factories' in aerobic cells. Electrons are transported along a chain of proteins in order to drive this pump. The electrons need to be collected at the end of the chain. Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor in aerobic respiration. Overall, the oxygen effectively splits and accepts protons to form water.
This gives the overall equation of aerobic respiration:
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + Chemical Energy
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 = 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoAlthough Nitrogen is very plentiful, it is also non-reactive. It is hard for plants and animals to process Nitrogen from natural sources.
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What do all living things use nitrogen to?
Nitrogen is a main component of our DNA, which is the genetics material of all living organisms.
What are the lifeless molecules that comprise of living organisms?
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen
What cycle is one of the most important processes in nature for living organisms?
nitrogen
What is the nitrogen base sequence for the start codon?
The sequences for nitrogen bases for all living organisms is what makes up DNA and therefore their genes.
What happens when nitrogen is combined with carbon?
Carbon and Nitrogen play a large part in composting. All living organisms need relatively large amounts of the element, MORE
What all living organisms acquire from their envionment?
All living organisms acquire nutrients
Why is nitrogen transformation essential for living organisms?
nitrogen has no effect to life
What organisms are capable of converting gaseous nitrogen in the air into a form that other living organisms can use?
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
How the nitrogen cycle helps the living organisms?
with poo
Living organisms do not have to be a part of which cycle?
nitrogen cycle
Where did Daniel Rutherford discover nitrogen?
in living organisms
Why do all organisms require nitrogen?
All living organisms require nitrogen to grow. All organisms require nitrogen to make amino, acids, which in turn are used to build proteins.
What is responsible for making nitrogen in the atmosphere usable by living organisms?
nitrogen fixing bacteria
What do all living things use nitrogen to?
Nitrogen is a main component of our DNA, which is the genetics material of all living organisms.
What and the movement of nitrogen through the environment and living organisms?
I think it's called the 'nitrogen cycle' .
What is the movement of nitrogen through the environment and living organisms?
I think it's called the 'nitrogen cycle' .
How do living organisms affect the environment through their deaths?
the nitrogen cycle
