Final answer:
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through nitrogen fixation. The ammonia is then oxidized to nitrite and nitrate, which can be used by plants to make organic molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through a process called nitrogen fixation. This ammonia can then be further oxidized to nitrite and nitrate through a process called nitrification. Finally, nitrates can be assimilated by plants and used to make organic molecules such as DNA and proteins.