During the soil nitrogen cycle, which specific bacterium is directly responsible for conve… — JAMB UTME

During the soil nitrogen cycle, which specific bacterium is directly responsible for converting ammonia ( $NH_3$ ) into nitrites ( $NO_2^-$ )?

Nitrosomonas is the chemoautotrophic bacterium responsible for converting ammonia (

NH_3

) into nitrites (

NO_2^-

) during the first phase of nitrification.

Nitrification occurs in two distinct biochemical steps. In the first step, Nitrosomonas oxidizes toxic ammonia (

NH_3

) produced by decomposers into nitrite (

NO_2^-

). Nitrobacter then converts these nitrites into nitrates (

NO_3^-

), which plants readily absorb.

Identify the biological process in question

The two-step oxidation of ammonia to nitrates is called nitrification.

Nitrification converts toxic or inorganic waste products into usable plant nutrients.

Distinguish between the bacterial species involved in each phase of nitrification

The oxidation of ammonia (

NH_3

) to nitrite (

NO_2^-

) is performed by Nitrosomonas, whereas the oxidation of nitrite (

NO_2^-

) to nitrate (

NO_3^-

) is performed by Nitrobacter.

Each specific metabolic transformation requires specialized enzymatic machinery unique to distinct bacterial genera.

Bacterial Roles in Nitrification

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