Concept explainers
RECALL What kinds of organisms can fix nitrogen? Which ones cannot?
Interpretation:
The types of organisms that may or may not fix nitrogen is to be determined.
Concept Introduction:
The microorganisms that can convert the atmospheric nitrogen into fixed nitrogen, such as ammonia that is used by the plants are known as nitrogen-fixing organisms. These organisms play an important role in the nitrogen cycle.
Answer to Problem 1RE
Solution: Organisms that can fix nitrogen – symbiotic and non-symbiotic bacteria.
Organisms that cannot fix nitrogen – plants and animals.
Explanation of Solution
Nitrogen fixating bacteria are the prokaryotic microorganisms that can convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into fixed nitrogen compounds that are usable by plants. There are generally two kinds of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The first kind is symbiotic bacteria that includes Rhizobium, which is associated with the leguminous plants. These bacteria form nodules on the roots of the leguminous plants, such as beans and alfalfa.
The second category includes the non-symbiotic bacteria that includes free-living microbes and cyanobacteria.
Plants and animals cannot fix nitrogen or behave as nitrogen-fixing organisms. But they require nitrogen for their growth and development.
The kind of organisms that may or may not fix nitrogen is determined.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 23 Solutions
Biochemistry
- REFLECT AND APPLY What are the functions of TFIIH?arrow_forwardREFLECT AND APPLY E. coli incorporates deoxyribonucleotides into DNA at a rate of 250 to 1000 bases per second. Using the higher value, translate this into typing speed in words per minute. (Assume five characters per word, using the typing analogy from Question 36.)arrow_forwardREFLECT AND APPLY Assume that a scientist claims to have discovered mitochondria in bacteria. Is such a claim likely to prove valid?arrow_forward
- REFLECT AND APPLY Why are proteins more effective catalysts than RNA molecules?arrow_forwardREFLECT AND APPLY The amino acid hydroxyproline is found in collagen. There is no codon for hydroxyproline. Explain the occurrence of this amino acid in a common protein.arrow_forwardRECALL Distinguish between the lock-and-key and induced-fit models for binding of a substrate to an enzyme.arrow_forward
- BiochemistryBiochemistryISBN:9781305961135Author:Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougalPublisher:Cengage Learning