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Where does nitrogen from the atmosphere go before it enters a plant

User Gibstick
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1 Answer

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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.