FIXED NITROGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Fixed nitrogen refers to a type of nitrogen that has been converted from atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into a form that can be utilized by living organisms. Nitrogen gas constitutes about 78% of Earth's atmosphere, but it is not readily accessible to most organisms in this form. Therefore, the process of fixing nitrogen is crucial in making it available to plants and animals.
Fixed nitrogen can occur through natural or industrial processes. In nature, it primarily happens through the action of microorganisms known as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (NH3) or other compounds that can be used by plants. This process is commonly referred to as biological nitrogen fixation.
Industrial fixation of nitrogen involves the creation of synthetic fertilizers from atmospheric nitrogen. This is achieved through the Haber-Bosch process, which combines nitrogen and hydrogen to produce ammonia. This method significantly increased food production in the 20th century, contributing to the Green Revolution.
Fixed nitrogen plays a vital role in the growth and development of plants, as it is an essential component of proteins, nucleic acids, and various other vital compounds. It acts as a nutrient for crop plants and facilitates their efficient growth and yield. Additionally, fixed nitrogen is an important component of ecosystems, as it supports the growth of other organisms that rely on it for their survival.
Overall, fixed nitrogen refers to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form through biological or industrial processes, playing a crucial role in the sustenance of life and supporting agricultural productivity.
Common Misspellings for FIXED NITROGEN
- dixed nitrogen
- cixed nitrogen
- vixed nitrogen
- gixed nitrogen
- tixed nitrogen
- rixed nitrogen
- fuxed nitrogen
- fjxed nitrogen
- fkxed nitrogen
- foxed nitrogen
- f9xed nitrogen
- f8xed nitrogen
- fized nitrogen
- ficed nitrogen
- fided nitrogen
- fised nitrogen
- fixwd nitrogen
- fixsd nitrogen
- fixdd nitrogen
- fixrd nitrogen
Etymology of FIXED NITROGEN
The term "fixed nitrogen" has its etymology rooted in the chemical understanding and history of nitrogen compounds.
The word "nitrogen" itself comes from the Latin word "nitrogenium", which was formed from the combination of the Latin word "nitrum" meaning "niter" (a naturally occurring compound of nitrogen) and the ending "-gen" derived from the Greek word "gennan", meaning "to produce". Therefore, "nitrogen" essentially means "niter-producing".
The term "fixed" in relation to nitrogen originated from the belief that nitrogen existed in a "free" or "uncombined" state in the atmosphere, making it inaccessible for use in biological processes. However, during the 18th and 19th centuries, chemists and scientists discovered that nitrogen can be "fixed" or "combined" with other elements to form compounds that are usable by organisms.
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