Chapter 2, Problem 28A

Summary Introduction

To replace:

The italicized word with a correct vocabulary term in the given sentence

Introduction : Plants obtain the nutrients from soil, water and air which are then converted to various organic compounds. The nutrients flow through different organisms in the ecosystem. The exchange of nutrients through the biosphere is called biogeochemical cycle. Nitrogen cycle is one such biogeochemical cycle in which nitrogen is recycled from atmosphere into compounds that can be used by plants.

Answer to Problem 28A

Nitrogen fixation

Explanation of Solution

Plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. Some bacteria that live in water, soil and in plant root nodules capture the nitrogen from air and convert it to compounds that are useful to plants. This process is called nitrogen fixation.