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Although nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, atmospheric nitrogen features a triple bond that is difficult to break. Bacteria in the soil are mainly responsible for breaking this bond to create organic nitrates that are used by the plants. Such bacteria are called "nitrogen-fixing bacteria" because they take nitrogen from the air (N2) and "fix" it into ammonium (NH4+). Then other bacteria called nitrifying bacteria convert this ammonium to nitrate and nitrite. The nitrates are assimilated by plants through the root systems and incorporate them into nucleic acids and proteins.

Animals eat these plants and can use the nitrogen stored within. Then the consumers further up the trophic levels can obtain their nitrogen from the herbivores.

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How do plants get nitrogen compared to how animals get nitrogen?

Most plants get nitrogen from fertilizers. Some plants can have a process called nitrogen fixing in which nitrogen from the is turned into ammonium compounds. Animals get their nitrogen from food, by eating plants and other animals.


Do plants produce food when they no nitrogen?

No,plants need nitrogen.


Do plants produced food when they have no nitrogen?

No,plants need nitrogen.


How do plants get atmospheric nitrogen?

some plants have bacteria in their roots which contain nitrogen when plants want nitrogen they exchange their food made them with nitrogen. Example: pea plants contain bacteria called rhizobium which contains nitrogen


How do plants and animals get nitrogen is not from the atmosphere?

In rainforests where there is loads of leeching, plants get their nitrogen from other dead plants, where a nitrogen cycle is established


When there is not enough nitrogen in the atmosphere for plants how do the plants get it?

Plants do not actually get their nitrogen from the atmosphere. They get it in compounds in the soil through their roots. Some plants form symbiotic relationships with bacteria in the soil. The bacteria draw nitrogen from the air and form nitrogen compounds. The plants can then use the nitrogen.


How do plants transfer nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?

Plants mainly obtain nitrogen in the form of nitrates from the soil through their roots. This nitrogen is then used by plants to build proteins and other essential molecules. When plants die or shed leaves, nitrogen is returned to the soil through decomposition, where it can be taken up by other plants.


How do you add organic nitrogen?

There are nitrogen fixing plants, such as legumes, that will add nitrogen to the soil naturally. When these plants die, they release nitrogen into the soil, making it available for other plants.


What do plants need nitrogen for?

Nitrogen available to plants as Nitrates supplies the wherewithall for plants to produce foliage.


What kind of nitrogen do plants need?

Bacteria and plant roots perform nitrogen fixation, which allows plants to use the nitrogen. Nitrogen is used in cells to build proteins and DNA. However, plants get their nitrogen as "nutrients" in the soil.


Can nitrogen gas be used by plants?

No. Plants cannot use elemental nitrogen. The nitrogen must first be fixed, either by lightning or by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Some plants have such bacteria in their roots.


How does nitrogen fixation help plants?

Because it converts nitrogen into a form plants can use.