Nitrogen Cycle

Learn the Nitrogen Cycle! Interactive worksheet on fixation, nitrification, & organism roles.

The Nitrogen Cycle Why is nitrogen important? Which processes allow nitrogen to cycle through the atmosphere? What organisms are crucial to the proper cycling of nitrogen? What happens if the cycle is disrupted? There is so much nitrogen in the atmosphere, but why can't plants and animal use it as the form of N2 gas? The Nitrogen Cycle Explore the interactive to learn more about the nitrogen cycle. (Click the title that is a different color.) CLICK HERE: Nitrogen Cycle Interactive Roles of Organisms in the Nitrogen Cycle Using the images above, follow the arrows to explain each organism's role in the nitrogen cycle, by filling in the column to the right in the chart below. Denitrifying bacteria turn nitrates into nitrogen gas to the atmosphere Nitrifying bacteria turn ammonium into nitrites and nitrates Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (root nodules or soil) turning nitrogen gas from atmosphere into a usable form for plants Decomposers (like fungi and bacteria) release ammonium from waste Plants take up nitrogen Animals eat plants to get nitrogen Processes of the Nitrogen Cycle Using the diagrams above, match what the name of the process is to what happens during that process. Nitrogen Fixation bacteria in soil or on roots of legumes turn nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia or ammonium Ammonification decomposers take waste and release ammonia and ammonium Nitrification bacteria turn ammonium into nitrites and nitrates Denitrification bacteria turn nitrates into nitrogen gas to the atmosphere Assimilation plants take nitrates up through their roots Using the cycle images, describe a way that the nitrogen cycle could possibly be disrupted and explain the consequences of the disruptions.