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Multiple Choice
Which gas in Earth's atmosphere is essential for living organisms to synthesize proteins?
A
Nitrogen ($N_2$)
B
Oxygen ($O_2$)
C
Methane ($CH_4$)
D
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of proteins in living organisms. Proteins are essential macromolecules that perform various functions, including structural support, enzymatic activity, and cellular communication.
Step 2: Recognize that proteins are composed of amino acids, which contain nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen is a key element in the amino group (-NH2) of amino acids.
Step 3: Identify the source of nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen gas ($N_2$) makes up approximately 78% of the atmosphere and is the primary reservoir of nitrogen for living organisms.
Step 4: Explain how nitrogen is made available to living organisms. Most organisms cannot use $N_2$ directly; it must be converted into biologically usable forms like ammonia ($NH_3$) or nitrate ($NO_3^-$) through processes such as nitrogen fixation, carried out by certain bacteria.
Step 5: Conclude that nitrogen ($N_2$) is the essential gas in Earth's atmosphere for synthesizing proteins, as it provides the nitrogen atoms required for amino acid and protein formation.