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All organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids, which in turn are used to build carbohydrates

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Final answer:

Organisms require nitrogen to synthesize amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, not carbohydrates. Nitrogen fixation by microorganisms converts atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants, which animals then consume, making it a critical component of the nitrogen cycle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The original statement that all organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids, which in turn are used to build carbohydrates, contains an error. In fact, organisms use nitrogen to synthesize amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, rather than carbohydrates. Atmospheric nitrogen (N2), which makes up about 79% of Earth's atmosphere, cannot be utilized directly by most organisms. Through a process called nitrogen fixation, certain microorganisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can absorb, such as nitrate ions (NO3−) and ammonium ions (NH4+). Once assimilated by plants, these nitrogen compounds can be incorporated into amino acids and eventually proteins. Animals obtain their nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals. The cycling of nitrogen between the atmosphere, soil, plants, and animals is an integral part of the nitrogen cycle, which is crucial for life on Earth.

User Banbh
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All plants take in carbon dioxide(CO) and use the carbon to build carbohydrates during photosynthesis, and all organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids(proteins), which in turn are used to build proteins. Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78 percent of Earth's atmosphere.
User Ricky Stam
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