Question

Which of the following describes the helpful role that bacteria play in nitrogen fixation?

A.Bacteria convert a healthy animal into a sick animal by producing a toxin or growing into a large population.
B.Bacteria convert yogurt into cheese, which can be eaten as food by humans or animals.
C.Bacteria convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into a form of trapped carbon that animals can use.
D.Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a nitrogen-containing ion that plants can absorb.

Answer 1

D. Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a nitrogen-containing ion that plants can absorb.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nitrogen in the atmosphere is in a gaseous state (N2). It is fundamental for the plants to incorporate Nitrogen for their biological processes. But they cannot do it through the leaves. They have to incorporate it through the roots. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as those of the Rhizobium family, are found in the roots of leguminous plants and convert N2 to ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is soluble in water and plants can absorb it.

Answer 2

Nitrogen is a key component for the growth of plants. And in the soil, there are bacteria that are present and their specific function is to fixate the nitrogen. What they do is that they convert the nitrogen that is present in the atmosphere into a solid form of nitrogen so that it will be readily used by the plants. Therefore, the answer to the question above is option D. Hope this helps.