Assignment: Nitrogen
Name:
Use the following resources and information that you research on your own to answer the
questions below.
Nitrogen Cycle Animation
The Nitrogen Cycle
1. How does atmospheric nitrogen become usable on Earth?
2. The atmosphere is 80% nitrogen: why do you think plants and animals can't use nitrogen
as it is found in the atmosphere?
3. Explain what is meant by nitrogen fixation.
4. What organisms are involved in the movement of nitrogen between the air and soil, and
back to the air?
5. How do nitrogen-fixing bacteria on root nodules function in the nitrogen cycle?
6. What would be the effect on the nitrogen cycle if a large volume of nitrogen rich fertilizer
ran off the land and into surface water?!
7. How can burning fossil fuels affect the nitrogen cycle?