Chapter 17, Problem 20STP

To determine

To Explain: The importance of organisms that convert nitrogen from its diatomic form into other compounds.

Answer to Problem 20STP

The nitrogen fixing bacteria or microorganisms makes the atmospheric nitrogen useful for others.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Nitrogen is used to make fertilisers, nitric acid, nylon dyes and explosives.

The organisms which convert nitrogen from its diatomic form into other compounds are prokaryotic bacteria like Cynobacteria, Anabaena, Nostoc, azotobacter. They fix the atmospheric nitrogen into useful substances like ammonia that is used by plants. The process is known as nitrogen fixation. The nitrogen fixing bacteria and other microbes play an important role in fixing nitrogen that is the main component of the nucleic acids and proteins. These bacteria make the atmospheric nitrogen useful as most of organism cannot use it in this form. This useful nitrogen makes legumes and beans the richest source of proteins.

Conclusion:

Nitrogen is widely used in so many applications and that's why with the help of the organisms the nitrogen from its diatomic form can be converted into the other compounds.