Nitrogen cycle and nitrogen metabolism

Nitrogen cycle and nitrogen metabolism

1. Nitrogen cycle

This cycle consists of following stages:

1. Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen

Di-nitrogen     molecule from   the   atmosphere progressively gets reduced by addition of a pair of hydrogen atoms. Triple bond between two nitrogen atoms (N≡N) are cleaved to produce ammonia (Figure 12.7). nitrogen fixation process requires Nitrogenase enzyme complex, Minerals (Mo, Fe and S), anaerobic condition, ATP, electron and glucose 6 phosphate as H⁺ donor. Nitrogenase enzyme is active only in anaerobic condition. To create this anaerobic condition a pigment known as leghaemoglobin is synthesized in the nodules which acts as oxygen scavenger and removes the oxygen. Nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules appears pinkish due to the presence of this leghaemoglobin pigment.

2. Nitrification

Ammonia (NH₃⁺) is converted into Nitrite (NO₂^-) by Nitrosomonas bacterium. Nitrite is then converted into Nitrate (NO₃­^-) by Nitrobacter bacterium. 

Plants are more adapted to absorb nitrate (NO₃^-) than ammonium ions from the soil.

3. Nitrate Assimilation

The process by which nitrate is reduced to ammonia is called nitrate assimilation and occurs during nitrogen cycle.

4. Ammonification

Decomposition of organic nitrogen (proteins and amino acids) from dead plants and animals into ammonia is called ammonification. Organisim involved in this process are Bacillus ramosus and Bacillus vulgaris.

5. Denitrification

Nitrates in the soil are converted back into atmospheric nitrogen by a process called denitrification. Bacteria involved in this process are Pseudomonas, Thiobacillus and Bacillus subtilis.

The overall process of nitrogen cycle is given in Figure 12.8.

2. Nitrogen Metabolism

Ammonium Assimilation (Fate of Ammonia)

Ammonia is converted into amino acids by the following processes:

1. Reductive amination

Glutamic acid or glutamate is formed by reaction of ammonia with α-ketoglutaric acid.

2. Transamination

Transfer of amino group (NH₃1) from glutamic acid glutamate to keto group of keto acid. Glutamic acid is the main amino acid from which other amino acids are synthesised by transamination. Transamination requires the enzyme transaminase and co enzyme pyridoxal phosphate (derivative of vitamin B6 -pyridoxine).

3. Catalytic Amination: (GS/GOGAT Pathway)

Glutamate amino acid combines with ammonia to form the amide glutamine.

(GOGAT- Glutamine-2-Oxoglutarate aminotransferase)