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Multiple Choice
The nitrogen cycle could not exist without which of the following?
A
Mitochondria
B
Stomata
C
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
D
Chloroplasts
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the nitrogen cycle: The nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical process that converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into forms usable by living organisms and then back into the atmosphere. It involves processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.
Identify the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are microorganisms that convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂), which most organisms cannot use directly, into ammonia (NH₃) or related compounds that plants can absorb and use.
Recognize why mitochondria, stomata, and chloroplasts are not directly involved: Mitochondria are involved in cellular respiration, stomata are openings in plant leaves for gas exchange, and chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis. None of these are directly involved in the nitrogen cycle.
Connect nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the nitrogen cycle: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as those in the genus *Rhizobium*, live in the soil or in symbiotic relationships with legumes. They are essential for the nitrogen cycle because they provide the first step in converting atmospheric nitrogen into a biologically usable form.
Conclude that the nitrogen cycle could not exist without nitrogen-fixing bacteria: Since these bacteria are the primary agents for nitrogen fixation, their absence would disrupt the entire nitrogen cycle, making nitrogen unavailable to most living organisms.