Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules do plants primarily produce using nitrogen obtained through nitrogen fixation?
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Nitrogen Fixation
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Bacteria in root nodules change nitrogen gas ($N_2$) into what form?
A
Nitrite ($NO_2^-$)
B
Nitrate ($NO_3^-$)
C
Urea ($CO(NH_2)_2$)
D
Ammonia ($NH_3$)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of bacteria in root nodules: These bacteria, often from the genus Rhizobium, are involved in nitrogen fixation, a process that converts atmospheric nitrogen gas ($N_2$) into a usable form for plants.
Recognize the chemical transformation: Nitrogen gas ($N_2$) is highly stable and must be converted into a biologically accessible form. The bacteria use the enzyme nitrogenase to catalyze this conversion.
Identify the product of nitrogen fixation: The enzyme nitrogenase reduces $N_2$ to ammonia ($NH_3$), which is the primary form of nitrogen produced during this process.
Clarify why ammonia ($NH_3$) is the correct answer: Ammonia can be further processed by plants into other nitrogen-containing compounds, such as amino acids, which are essential for growth and development.
Note the distinction from other nitrogen compounds: Nitrite ($NO_2^-$), nitrate ($NO_3^-$), and urea ($CO(NH_2)_2$) are not direct products of nitrogen fixation by root nodule bacteria. These compounds may form later through other processes like nitrification or metabolic pathways.
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