NITROGEN FIXATION Meaning and
Definition
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Nitrogen fixation refers to the process by which atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) is converted into nitrogen compounds that can be utilized and assimilated by living organisms. Nitrogen, as an essential nutrient, plays a vital role in the growth and development of plants and other organisms. However, the majority of living organisms are unable to directly use atmospheric nitrogen in its gaseous form due to its highly stable triple bond.
Nitrogen fixation occurs through various natural and artificial processes. In nature, it is mainly carried out by certain bacteria known as diazotrophs found in the soil, oceans, and roots of leguminous plants. These diazotrophs have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium (NH4+), a form of nitrogen that can be easily taken up by plants and other organisms as a nutrient. Some of the well-known diazotrophs include Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Frankia.
Artificial nitrogen fixation is also a crucial industrial process that involves converting N2 gas into ammonia (NH3) or nitrate (NO3-) compounds through the Haber-Bosch process, utilizing high pressure and temperature. These compounds are widely used in the production of fertilizers, allowing for increased crop yields and improving agricultural productivity.
Overall, nitrogen fixation is a key biological and chemical process that helps replenish the nitrogen cycle, providing a crucial nutrient for the growth of plants and other living organisms, and playing a vital role in global food production and ecosystem functioning.
Common Misspellings for NITROGEN FIXATION
- bitrogen fixation
- mitrogen fixation
- jitrogen fixation
- hitrogen fixation
- nutrogen fixation
- njtrogen fixation
- nktrogen fixation
- notrogen fixation
- n9trogen fixation
- n8trogen fixation
- nirrogen fixation
- nifrogen fixation
- nigrogen fixation
- niyrogen fixation
- ni6rogen fixation
- ni5rogen fixation
- niteogen fixation
- nitdogen fixation
- nitfogen fixation
Etymology of NITROGEN FIXATION
The word "nitrogen fixation" is composed of two separate terms: "nitrogen" and "fixation".
The term "nitrogen" originates from the Latin word "nitrogenium", which was coined by French chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in 1790. He derived it from the French word "nitrogène", which combines the words "nitre" (referring to potassium nitrate, a compound containing nitrogen) and "gène" (meaning "producing" or "generating").
The term "fixation" originates from the Latin word "fixus", which means "to fix" or "to fasten". In the context of chemistry and biology, it refers to the process of converting an element or compound into a stable or usable form.
Similar spelling words for NITROGEN FIXATION
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