Question

Understand the process of nitrogen fixation. What performs the fixation event? How are oxygen levels lowered during this process and why are they lowered? Where is nitrogen fixation performed?

Answer 1

Nitrogen fixation is the process where organisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful chemicals. Microorganisms perform the fixation event using enzymes called nitrogenases. Oxygen levels are lowered during this process in order to create an anaerobic environment, which is necessary for the function of nitrogenases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nitrogen fixation is the process where organisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful chemicals. Nitrogen fixation is the process where organisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful chemicals. Microorganisms perform the fixation event using enzymes called nitrogenases. Oxygen levels are lowered during this process in order to create an anaerobic environment, which is necessary for the function of nitrogenases.

To date, the only known kind of biological organisms capable of nitrogen fixation are microorganisms. These organisms employ enzymes called nitrogenases, which contain iron and molybdenum. Many of these microorganisms live in a symbiotic relationship with plants, with the best-known example being the presence of rhizobia in the root nodules of legumes.