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Ch. 27 - Microbial Ecology and Microbiomes
Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBauman 6th EditionCh. 27 - Microbial Ecology and MicrobiomesProblem 6
Chapter 27, Problem 6

Nitrification converts:
a. organic nitrogen to NH3
b. NH3 to NH4+
c. NH4+ or NH3 to NO3
d. NO3 to N2

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle, which involves the biological oxidation of ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrate (NO3-).
Recall that nitrification is a two-step process: first, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria convert NH3 or NH4+ into nitrite (NO2-), and then nitrite-oxidizing bacteria convert NO2- into nitrate (NO3-).
Analyze each option in the question to see which matches the conversion described in nitrification:
a. Organic nitrogen to NH3 is ammonification, not nitrification.
b. NH3 to NH4+ is a chemical equilibrium, not the nitrification process.
c. NH4+ or NH3 to NO3- matches the overall nitrification process.
d. NO3- to N2 is denitrification, a different process.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nitrification Process

Nitrification is a two-step aerobic process in the nitrogen cycle where ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ions (NH4+) are oxidized first to nitrite (NO2-) and then to nitrate (NO3-). This process is primarily carried out by specialized bacteria such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
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Role of Ammonia and Ammonium in Nitrification

Ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) serve as the initial substrates for nitrification. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria convert these compounds into nitrite, which is then further oxidized to nitrate by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, making nitrogen available in a form usable by plants.
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Difference Between Nitrification and Other Nitrogen Transformations

Nitrification specifically refers to the oxidation of ammonia or ammonium to nitrate, distinct from processes like nitrogen fixation (conversion of N2 to NH3) or denitrification (reduction of nitrate to N2). Understanding these differences helps clarify the correct answer choice.
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Textbook Question

Of the following characteristics, which would contribute most to making a microorganism an effective biological warfare agent?

a. Is readily available in the environment

b. Can be spread by contact after original dissemination

c. Cannot be treated well outside a hospital

d. Is easily identified by symptoms

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Textbook Question

Carbon fixation is the conversion of _____ into organic compounds.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following diseases is not caused by NIAID category A biological weapons

agents?

a. Smallpox

b. Plague

c. Q fever

d. Tularemia

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Textbook Question

In aquatic environments, most microbial life is found in the:

a. Littoral zone

b. Limnetic zone

c. Profundal zone

d. Benthic zone

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Textbook Question

_____ Plants and bacteria start the carbon cycle with consumption.

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Textbook Question

In the carbon cycle, microbes convert _____.

a. CO2 into organic material for consumption

b. CO2 into inorganic material for storage

c. fossil fuels into usable organic compounds

d. oxygen into water as a by-product of photosynthesis

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