Nitrifies (/ˈnaɪtrɪfaɪz/) is the third person singular present tense form of the verb nitrify, which means to convert ammonia into nitrites or nitrates by bacterial action. The word is spelled with a "t" (rather than "c") after the "i" because it is derived from the noun nitrite (/ˈnaɪtraɪt/) and the suffix -fy, which means to make or cause. In IPA, the word is pronounced as nahy-truh-fahyz, with the stress on the second syllable.
Nitrifies is a verb derived from the noun "nitrification" and refers to the action or process by which certain microorganisms, known as nitrifying bacteria, convert ammonia (NH3) into nitrites (NO2-) and subsequently into nitrates (NO3-), primarily in the natural nitrogen cycle occurring in soil and water ecosystems.
This biological process is vital for the cycling of nitrogen, an essential element for the growth and development of living organisms. Nitrifying bacteria play a crucial role in this process as they possess the enzymes necessary to carry out the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, a reaction known as ammonia oxidation, and the further oxidation of nitrite to nitrate, referred to as nitrite oxidation.
Nitrifies, or the nitrifying bacteria, are categorized into two main groups: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). AOB initiates the nitrification process by converting ammonia into nitrite, while NOB completes the process by further transforming the nitrite into nitrate. These bacteria are usually found in soil, water, and wastewater treatment systems, where they help maintain balanced levels of nitrogen compounds.
The nitrification process is fundamental in maintaining a stable and healthy ecosystem as it converts toxic ammonia into less harmful nitrate, which is more readily available for uptake by plants and algae. This, in turn, supports the growth of higher organisms, such as plants, which rely on nitrates as a vital source of nitrogen for protein synthesis and other metabolic processes.
The word "nitrifies" is derived from the noun "nitrogen" combined with the suffix "-ify" that forms a verb.
1. Nitrogen: The word "nitrogen" originates from the French word "nitrogène", which was coined by French chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in 1790. It is a combination of the Latin word "nitrum", meaning "saltpeter", and the Greek word "gennan", meaning "to generate" or "to produce".
2. -ify: The suffix "-ify" in English comes from Old French "-fier" and Latin "-ficare", both meaning "to make" or "to cause". It is commonly used to form verbs that indicate causing a specific action or state.