Nitrogen cycle

Ninestars

Can someone explain the nitrogen cycle to me? Preferably simple, and in the form of a six mark answer?

Reply 1

TheConfusedMedic

Didn't even realise there was a nitrogen cycle :redface:

Which exam board are you on?

I do AQA, and the only thing I know about nitrogen is:

•

when burning a fossil fuel, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air may react at high temperatures to form nitrogen oxides.

•

these then dissolve in rainwater, forming an acidic solution --> acid rain

•

acid rain falls and reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone (destroy buildings), destroys leaves + can be absorbed by roots (can destroy ecosystems)

•

I think nitrogen is mentioned in B3 as well, something about nitrates from fertilisers in the soil being washed into waterways and the whole process of eutrophication.

Don't think any of this is relevant though :biggrin:

Reply 2

octoppus

Ah god, I hate the nitrogen cycle. We have to learn it in B1, and it's the worst. I have a feeling it'll come up this year though :frown:

Reply 3

Ninestars

Original post by surina16

Didn't even realise there was a nitrogen cycle :redface:

Which exam board are you on?

I do AQA, and the only thing I know about nitrogen is:

•

when burning a fossil fuel, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air may react at high temperatures to form nitrogen oxides.

•

these then dissolve in rainwater, forming an acidic solution --> acid rain

•

acid rain falls and reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone (destroy buildings), destroys leaves + can be absorbed by roots (can destroy ecosystems)

•

I think nitrogen is mentioned in B3 as well, something about nitrates from fertilisers in the soil being washed into waterways and the whole process of eutrophication.

Don't think any of this is relevant though :biggrin:

Original post by surina16

Didn't even realise there was a nitrogen cycle :redface:

Which exam board are you on?

I do AQA, and the only thing I know about nitrogen is:

•

when burning a fossil fuel, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air may react at high temperatures to form nitrogen oxides.

•

these then dissolve in rainwater, forming an acidic solution --> acid rain

•

acid rain falls and reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone (destroy buildings), destroys leaves + can be absorbed by roots (can destroy ecosystems)

•

I think nitrogen is mentioned in B3 as well, something about nitrates from fertilisers in the soil being washed into waterways and the whole process of eutrophication.

Don't think any of this is relevant though :biggrin:

it's a part of the B1 edexcel spec :frown:

Reply 4

TheConfusedMedic

Original post by Ninestars

it's a part of the B1 edexcel spec :frown:

Hi, just searched up your specification and found this:

a nitrogen gas in the air cannot be used directly by plants and animals
b nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in root nodules or the soil can fix nitrogen gas
c the action of lightning can convert nitrogen gas into nitrates
d decomposers break down dead animals and plants
e soil bacteria convert proteins and urea into ammonia
f nitrifying bacteria convert this ammonia to nitrates
g plants absorb nitrates from the soil
h nitrates are needed by plants to make proteins for growth
i nitrogen compounds pass along a food chain or web
j denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates to nitrogen gas

http://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2011/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/UG029988_GCSE_in_Biology_Spec_2012.pdf

Reply 5

Ninestars