Question

Select 3 that apply.

Why is nitrogen important to all living things?

1:It is a part of amino acids,which help build proteins.

2:It provides the body with the right amount of salt(sodium) levels.

3:It is a part of nucleic acids, which help build DNA.

4:It helps in the purification of water.

5:It is involved in the majority of the energy processes that occur in the cells of organisms.

Answer 1

Nitrogen is essential to life as it forms amino acids for proteins, nucleic acids for DNA, and is made available to organisms through the process of nitrogen fixation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nitrogen is important to all living things for several reasons, but three key functions include:

• Nitrogen is a part of amino acids, which help build proteins.
• It is a part of nucleic acids, which help build DNA.
• Nitrogen fixation is a vital process for converting nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that organisms can use to build these essential molecules.

While nitrogen accounts for about 50% of the total composition of a cell, proteins, as nitrogenous organic compounds, play a vital role in organisms and are composed of amino acids. Furthermore, nucleic acids like DNA contain nitrogen as a fundamental component. Due to the strong triple bond in nitrogen gas (N₂), most organisms cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen; this is why nitrogen fixation is a critical step in the nitrogen cycle, allowing organisms to access nitrogen in a usable form.

Answer 2

The right answer is number 2.