Question

Nitrifying bacteria convert
A. Nitrate to nitrogen
B. Ammonia to nitrogen
C. Nitrogen into soluble form
D. Ammonia to nitrate

Answer 1

The nitrifying bacteria is a small group of aerobic bacteria, this group uses inorganic chemicals as a source of energy. These are important microorganisms that are very important in the nitrogen cycle and soil ecosystem function.

Complete answer:
These nitrifying bacteria get their energy from inorganic nitrogen compounds by the process of oxidation. Nitrification is a process of ammonium salts conversion to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates. The bacteria that helps in carrying out this process is known as Nitrifying bacteria.

Option A- Nitrate to nitrogen: Process of denitrification in which nitrate is converted into nitrogen is carried out by nitrogen fixing bacteria. This is a denitrification process so cannot be our required answer.

Option B- Ammonia to nitrogen: Conversion of ammonia into nitrogen is not the nitrification process. Thus, this is not our correct answer.

Option C- Nitrogen into soluble form: There is a bacteria present in the soil that is rhizobium bacteria that is basically present in the root nodules of legume plants, this converts nitrogen to soluble form, this process is also not nitrification.

Option D – Ammonia to nitrate: Oxidation of ammonia into nitrate is nitrification process in which two steps are there one is ammonia to nitrite conversion by bacteria like Nitrosomonas; and then nitrite is converted into nitrate by nitrifying bacteria like Nitrobacter.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: The process of nitrification is important in the agriculture field. This also helps in the removal of nitrogen from municipal wastewater. Nitrification is a very important part of the nitrogen cycle as the plants prefer uptake of nitrogen from soil or water in nitrate form.