Question

What is meant by nitrogen fixation? Explain biological nitrogen fixation in plants?

Answer 1

Hint: Nitrogen fixation is the process by which nitrogen, a chemical compound is assimilated into organic compounds, this conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into organic compounds with the help of certain microorganisms is part of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen fixation is basically an industrial process, which converts free nitrogen into inert gas and combines with elements.

Complete answer-
Biological nitrogen fixation occurs with the help of microorganisms.
Biological nitrogen fixation is where gases combine chemically with other elements and form more reactive nitrogen compounds like- ammonia nitrites etc. In all fertile soils, living things, food stuffs, and coal nitrogen compounds occur.
It is also found in the nucleus of living cells as a major component in DNA. In biological fixation, the nitrogen gas after being converted is incorporated into the tissue of plants. This process in which some crops are incorporated with N${}_2$ from air with a host present in the plant is called microsymbiont.
Among the forage crops, legumes belonging to the Fabaceae family are well known for being able to convert Nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen. In forage production, the method is often vital because it means nitrogen is often extracted from three sources, the atmosphere via biological fixation, the soil and fertilizers.
         

Note:
The microorganisms which are involved in conversion are- rhizobia, free-living (nonsymbiotic) bacteria, cyanobacteria, anabaena, nostoc and many heterotrophic bacteria. All reactions including the process of nitrogen fixation often be catalyzed by enzymes known as nitrogenases. Enzymes are used to fasten the reaction and also, they contain iron, molybdenum.