The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is an essential component of amino acids and nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of all living things. Nitrogen makes up most of the atmosphere, but the N2 in the atmosphere cannot be used by most organisms. Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is transformed into forms that are more usable in biological processes. Although life needs nitrogen, only a few organisms are actually able to fix nitrogen out of …

…into nitrates and other forms of nitrogen, play a significant role in the recycling of nitrogen within an ecosystem. The bacteria's biochemical reactions greatly contribute to the recycling of nitrogen in an ecosystem. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and the clear-cutting of forests are greatly having a negative impact on the cycling of nitrogen. These issues are difficult, but with cooperation between nations, future consequences of today's actions may be reduced.