THE NITROGEN CYCLE UNCOVERED: MEET THE MICROBIAL TEAM

SUBJECT: BIOLOGY

LEVEL: FORM 5

AGES:16-17 YEARS

TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY

SUB TOPIC: MICROORGANISMS AND VIRUSES

The video about the nitrogen cycle shows how nitrogen moves continuously between the atmosphere, soil, plants, animals, and decomposers in an ecosystem. It explains that nitrogen gas in the air cannot be used directly by living things, so it must be changed into useful forms by bacteria through nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Plants then absorb nitrates from the soil to make proteins, and animals obtain nitrogen by eating plants. When plants and animals die or produce waste, decomposers break them down and return nitrogen compounds to the soil through ammonification. Finally, some bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas through denitrification, releasing it into the atmosphere again. This process shows how nitrogen is constantly recycled to support life.

Simple Assessment (Nitrogen Cycle)

1. What is the nitrogen cycle?
2. Name one process in the nitrogen cycle.
3. State one importance of nitrogen to living things.
4. What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
5. Where does nitrogen gas mainly exist?