Answer:
Nitrogen fixing bacteria
Step-by-step explanation:
Atmospheric nitrogen is in the form of
N
2
. This molecule is exceptionally stable and unable to be used by plants. The Lewis dot structure of
N
2
is
: N :::N:
The triple bond between the two nitrogens is very strong. However nitrogen fixing bacteria can attach to the the unused paired electrons on the outside of the nitrogen molecule. The bacteria use the energy from the broken bond for life functions and produce Nitrates and Nitrites as by products. Nitrates (
N
O
3
) and nitrites (
N
O
2
) can be used by plants for nutrition.