Nitrification
Ammonia becomes nitrite, then nitrate.
Two steps of change
Ammonia in the soil is changed into another compound, and then into a third.
How many kinds of bacteria might take part?
What this lesson covers
The idea
In nitrification, nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite (Nitrosomonas) and then nitrite into nitrate (Nitrobacter).
Two steps of change
Ammonia in the soil is changed into another compound, and then into a third.
How many kinds of bacteria might take part?
- Two
- One
- None
Ammonia to nitrate
Press Next step.
Two bacteria, two steps
One kind of bacteria changes ammonia into nitrite. A second kind changes nitrite into nitrate. Together the two steps are called nitrification.
In nitrification, nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite (Nitrosomonas) and then nitrite into nitrate (Nitrobacter).
Notes
Nitrification: nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite (Nitrosomonas), then nitrite into nitrate (Nitrobacter).
Check yourself
Which bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite?
Which bacteria convert nitrite into nitrate?
What is the final compound formed in nitrification?
What is the process of converting ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate called?
- Nitrosomonas — correct. Yes!
- Nitrobacter. Nitrobacter converts nitrite into nitrate.
- Rhizobium. Rhizobium is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium in the root nodules of legumes.
- Nitrosomonas. Nitrosomonas converts ammonia into nitrite.
- Nitrobacter — correct. Yes!
- Pseudomonas. Pseudomonas is a denitrifying bacterium that converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas.
- Nitrite (NO₂⁻). Nitrite is formed first, and Nitrobacter then converts it into nitrate.
- Ammonia (NH₃). Ammonia is the starting compound of nitrification.
- Nitrate (NO₃⁻) — correct. Yes!
- Nitrification — correct. Yes!
- Denitrification. Denitrification converts some nitrates back into nitrogen gas.
- Ammonification. Ammonification is the return of ammonia to the soil by decomposers.