Saturday, February 23, 2008

Amy Kidd, February 19 -- 3/3

What we did today:

Looked at the nitrogen cycle.
- did 2 worksheets.
- looked at the different types of bacteria in the cycle, and their functions.

Thoughts and Opinions:

What is the difference between nitrogen fixing bacteria and ammonifying bacteria? They do the same thing, so why are there 2 of them?

Additional Insight:

- All life requires nitrogen-compounds. ex: proteins and nucleic acids.
- Air, which is 79% nitrogen gas (N2), is the major reservoir of nitrogen, but most rganisms cannot use it in this form.

- Plants must secure their nitrogen in "fixed" forms, such as:
- nitrate ions (NOx)
- ammonia (NH3)
- urea (NH2)2CO


2 comments:

SHS "kick butt" Bio20 Student said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SHS "kick butt" Bio20 Student said...

good entry,
As for nitrogen fixing versus ammonifying bacteria: N-fixing convert N2 into NH3/NH4, ammonifying convert N in decaying organisms (generally in the form of amino acids) into NH3/NH4. I know this is not very clear in your textbook, but some of the diagrams we covered did show it. I know you could have determined this for yourself using the ol' internet. Answer your question(s) next time - or at least show evidence that you tried.
3/3
Mr. C