Nitrifying bacteria
- oxidize ammonia to nitrates
- convert free nitrogen to nitrogen compounds
- convert proteins into ammonia
- reduce nitrates to free nitrogen
Answer
(1) oxidize ammonia to nitrates
Solution
As per NCERT, ammonia is first oxidised to nitrite by Nitrosomonas and/or Nitrococcus, and the nitrite is further oxidised to nitrate by Nitrobacter. This process is called nitrification.
NH3 NO2- NO3-
(2) is nitrogen fixation, (3) is ammonification and (4) is denitrification.
Answer: (1)