Final answer:
The simplified nitrogen cycle involves nitrogen-fixing bacteria converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which can be assimilated by plants. If there are not enough bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle, it can lead to imbalances and disruptions in ecosystems, such as eutrophication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nitrogen cycle is a process by which nitrogen is converted between different forms in the environment. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which can then be oxidized to nitrite and nitrate. These nitrogen compounds can be assimilated by plants. Soil bacteria then convert the nitrates back into nitrogen gas through denitrification.
If there is not enough bacteria to carry out the nitrogen cycle, it can disrupt the balance of nitrogen in ecosystems. For example, if there are not enough denitrifying bacteria to convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, the accumulation of nitrates can lead to eutrophication, a process in which excessive nutrients cause algal blooms in bodies of water.