Chapter 2.3, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To define:

The termsmatter, nutrient, biogeochemical cycle, nitrogen fixation, and denitrification.

Explanation of Solution

Matter: Matter is defined as any substance, which has mass and occupies space. The universe is made up of matter and matter is made up of atoms.

Nutrient: Nutrients can be defined assubstances acquired byliving organisms for performing activities essential for living. These activities include growth, repair, normal metabolism, and reproduction.

Biogeochemical cycle: Biogeochemical cycle, as the name suggests is defined as the flow of chemical matters between living organisms and their physical environment. In these cyclic changes, living organisms absorb the matter from the physical environment and again passes itto the physical environment by processes such as respiration, excretion, or decomposition.

Nitrogen fixation:Nitrogen fixation is defined as a process, in which the nitrogen present in the atmosphere (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃). The atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used by the plants as a source of nutrients; hence, nitrogen fixation is important for converting nitrogen into a usable form, which is ammonia.

Denitrification:Denitrification can be defined as a processin which nitrate (NO₃^-) is reduced (converted) to produce gaseous nitrogen (N₂) as the end product. It is a process facilitated by microbes and involves a series of intermediate nitrogen oxide products.