Question

The fundamental requirements for nitrogen fixation are:

a. Nitrogenase

b. Ferredoxin

c. ATP

d. Aerobic conditions

1. All the above
2. a, b, c
3. a, b, d
4. a, c, d

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : a, b, c

The correct answer is a, b, c.

• Fundamental requirements for nitrogen fixation are:
  • Nitrogenase
  • Ferredoxin
  • ATP
• Nitrogenase enzyme is produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) which reduce nitrogen to ammonia. This enzyme act as a catalyst in Nitrogen Fixation. It breaks the bond between the two nitrogen atoms and the addition of 3 hydrogen atoms (NH₃)
• Electrons flow from ferredoxin to the reductase (iron protein, or Fe protein) to nitrogenase to reduce nitrogen to ammonia.
• ATP - 16 molecules of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) are required by the microorganisms that fix nitrogen in the soil.

• Nitrogen Fixation
  • ​Under normal conditions, nitrogen does not react with other elements.
  • Nitrogen is essential for plants and it also makes the soil fertile.
  • Nitrogen is fixed by cyanobacteria and other microorganisms which convert nitrogen in the air to ammonia, nitrates and nitrites.
  • Roots of the plants then take these compounds to synthesise proteins.