Diazotrophs: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Diazotrophs are a group of prokaryotic organisms with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form usable to plants. There are two types of terrestrial diazotrophs: those free living in the soil, and those that form symbiotic relationships with plants. | Diazotrophs are a group of prokaryotic organisms with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form usable to plants. There are two types of terrestrial diazotrophs: those free living in the soil, and those that form symbiotic relationships with plants. | ||
Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is found as two nitrogen atoms held together by a triple bond. In this form, nitrogen is not accessible to plants and most organisms. Diazotrophs have the ability to split, or “fix” these bonds, freeing the nitrogen molecules to form ammonium, or ammonia. | Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is found as two nitrogen atoms held together by a triple bond. In this form, nitrogen is not accessible to plants and most organisms. Diazotrophs have the ability to split, or “fix” these bonds, freeing the nitrogen molecules to form ammonium, or ammonia. | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
== Symbiotic Diazotrophs == | == Symbiotic Diazotrophs == | ||
The enzymes that are needed to fix nitrogen are easily damaged by oxygen, so some diazotophs form symbiotic relationships with plants. In this relationship, diazaotophs are protection from oxygen, carbon, and energy, in exchange for their nitrogen. | |||
Revision as of 17:29, 8 March 2018
Diazotrophs are a group of prokaryotic organisms with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form usable to plants. There are two types of terrestrial diazotrophs: those free living in the soil, and those that form symbiotic relationships with plants.
Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is found as two nitrogen atoms held together by a triple bond. In this form, nitrogen is not accessible to plants and most organisms. Diazotrophs have the ability to split, or “fix” these bonds, freeing the nitrogen molecules to form ammonium, or ammonia.
Free Living Diazotrophs
Symbiotic Diazotrophs
The enzymes that are needed to fix nitrogen are easily damaged by oxygen, so some diazotophs form symbiotic relationships with plants. In this relationship, diazaotophs are protection from oxygen, carbon, and energy, in exchange for their nitrogen.