Basics of the Nitrogen Cycle
This cycle describes how nitrogen moves through the air, soil, and living things.
the nitrogen cycle
The first step in the nitrogen cycle, where bacteria change nitrogen gas into a form plants can use.
nitrogen fixation
This colorless gas makes up most of Earth's atmosphere.
nitrogen
Nitrogen is important for the growth of these green organisms.
plants
Limiting this type of pollution from cars helps protect the nitrogen cycle.
air pollution
This element is essential for plants to grow and is cycled through the environment.
nitrogen
This step converts ammonia into nitrate in the soil.
nitrification
Plants need nitrogen from the soil to make this part of their cells.
proteins
Nitrogen is an essential part of this molecule that builds muscles in animals.
proteins
This practice helps farmers avoid adding too much nitrogen to the soil.
responsible fertilizing
Plants absorb this form of nitrogen from the soil.
nitrate
This process breaks down waste and dead matter to release nitrogen back into the soil.
ammonification
Bacteria in the roots of these plants help fix nitrogen.
legumes (like beans and peas)
Farmers add nitrogen to this to help plants grow.
fertilizer
Treating this waste from homes before releasing it into rivers helps keep nitrogen levels balanced.
sewage
This process returns nitrogen from dead plants and animals to the soil.
decomposition
This is the final step of the nitrogen cycle, where nitrogen goes back into the air.
denitrification
This natural event, like lightning, helps convert nitrogen into a form plants can use.
lightning
Nitrogen helps plants grow, which supports this entire network of life.
food chain/web
This action you can take helps reduce nitrogen pollution in the air.
walking or biking instead of driving
This gas makes up about 78% of the air we breathe but needs to be "fixed" to be used by plants.
nitrogen gas
In this step, animals get nitrogen by eating plants.
consumption
Nitrogen is found in this blue-green bacteria in oceans and lakes.
cyanobacteria
Plants that grow well with nitrogen support this human activity.
farming or agriculture
This term describes companies or individuals that care about protecting the environment.
sustainability