Using the nitrogen cycle, explain how nitrogen from the atmosphere is converted into nitrates

4 main processes: ammonification nitrification nitrogen fixation denitrification NITROGEN FIXATION: the process by which N2 gas converted --> nitrogen containing compounds (e.g. Ammonia) the most important process through which this is done: free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria reduce N(g) --> ammonia - bact found inside root nodules of leguminous plants THIS IS A MUTUALISTIC SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP (as bacteria provides plants with nitrogen compounds and plants provide carbohydrates for the also done naturally by lightening or through industrial processes such as the Haber process AMMONIFICATION: nitrogen containing compounds (ammonia) --> ammonium compounds (NH4+ --> NaNH4) when consumers or plants die - parts of them e.g. proteins + nucleic acids digested by saprobionts + they release ammonia - forms ammonium ions in the soil) NITRIFICATION: ammonium compounds/ions --> nitrogen compounds /nitrate ions nitrifying bacteria changes ammonium compounds --> nitrates nitrifying bacteria changes nitrates --> nitrates DENITRIFICATION: nitrates --> nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria under anaerobic conditions - bacteria use nitrates instead of oxygen as their final electron acceptor in the respiratory pathway - as nitrate is accepting electron - it is REDUCED to nitrogen gas