Nitrogen Cycle

• The nitrogen cycle is the cycle that nitrogen goes through to be used by animals, plants, the soil, and decomposers.
• The most important part of the nitrogen cycle is bacteria, the bacteria help the nitrogen change states.

Steps:

1. Fixation - Here bacteria changes the nitrogen into ammonium, so it can be used by plants.
2. Nitrification - Bacteria change the ammonium into nitrates, which are what the plants absorb.
3. Assimilation - This is how plants get nitrogen.  They absorb nitrates in through their roots.  Which are then used in amino acids, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.
4. Ammonification - This is part of the decaying process.  When a plant or animal dies, decomposers like fungi or bacteria turn the nitrogen back into ammonium to reenter the nitrogen cycle.
5. Denitrification - Extra nitrogen in the soil gets put back in the air.  There are special bacteria who perform this task as well.

Citations:

"Science For Kids: Nitrogen Cycle". Ducksters.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.