Final answer:
The percentage of nitrogen fixation attributed to industrial methods is 41.6 percent, rounded to the nearest whole number as 44 percent. This process is vital for converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms available for plant use, thereby supporting agricultural production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the percentage of nitrogen fixation that is attributed to industrial methods. To determine this, we'd look at industrial nitrogen fixation compared to total nitrogen fixation. According to provided Solution 1.19 (b), industrial methods account for 41.6 percent of the total fixation of nitrogen. Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is option b. 44, as 41.6 percent is closest to 44 percent.
Nitrogen fixation is a crucial biological process, whereby nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH3) or related nitrogenous compounds in soil, which plants can then uptake and use for growth. It occurs naturally in the environment primarily through the activity of certain bacteria, but a significant portion is also now contributed through industrial methods such as the Haber-Bosch process. This industrial process is essential for producing fertilizers that improve agricultural production by supplying the necessary nitrogen required by plants for nucleotide and protein synthesis.