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Which statement best describes abiotic nitrogen fixation?

A. Nitrogen fixation by living organisms.
B. Nitrogen fixation by lightning and other non-living factors.
C. Nitrogen fixation exclusively by bacteria.
D. Nitrogen fixation through industrial processes.

User Nyx
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Abiotic nitrogen fixation occurs through non-living processes like lightning and industrial methods, unlike biological nitrogen fixation carried out by certain prokaryotes using enzymes called nitrogenases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes abiotic nitrogen fixation is B. Nitrogen fixation by lightning and other non-living factors. Abiotic nitrogen fixation refers to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into reactive nitrogen compounds through non-biological processes, such as lightning or industrial methods like the Haber-Bosch process. This is distinctly different from biological nitrogen fixation, which is carried out exclusively by certain prokaryotes such as soil bacteria, cyanobacteria, and bacteria in the root nodules of legumes. These organisms utilize enzymes called nitrogenases to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

User JonoCoetzee
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