| What is the nitrogen cycle terms of redox | Nitrogen gas in the air . Nitrogen is reduced into ammonia ions . Amonia ions are oxidised into nitrite .
Nitrite ions are oxidised into nitrate ions
Nitrate ions oxidised into nitrogen gas |
| What are decomposes / sabropionts | Microoorganisms that digest dead matter and faecal matter |
| What are fungus made up of | Long thin tubes called hypha |
| How do sabropionts carry out decomposition | By extracellular digestion (external of cell )
Bacteria/fungus release enzyme onto the dead matter .Digest the dead matter into smaller molecules . Glucose amino acids fatty acids absorbed by decomposers
RELEASE a and DIGEST and absorbed |
| Nitrogen gas to ammonium ions | Nitrogen fixing bacteria in soil
carry out nitrogen fixation.
They have specific enzymes which:
Convert (reduce) nitrogen gas into ammonia (NH3).
Ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium ions (NH4+). |
| Ammonium ions to nitrites to nitrates | Nitrifying bacteria in soil
carry out nitrification.
These bacteria are aerobes
They have specific enzymes which:
Convert (oxidise) ammonium ions into nitrites and then into nitrates. |
| Nitrate to nitrogen gas | Denitrifying bacteria in soil carry out denitrification.
These bacteria are anaerobes.
They have specific enzymes which:
Convert (reduce) nitrates into nitrogen gas. |
| envrionmental impact of nitrate fertilisers | leaching leads to eurotriphication, stimulate growth of algae that blocks out sunlight so plants can't photosynthesis so less oxygen for fish so they die |
