MERRYLAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Nitrogen Cycle

Name: ……………………………………………Grade 7 Sec: ………………………. Date: …………………………….

1. The gorse plant has nodules on its roots.

Fig.1.1
The nodules are parts of the living root tissue.
Bacteria, which convert nitrogen gas into soluble nitrate ions, live in the nodule tissue.
Fig.1.1 shows the nodules on the roots.
i) Explain how the nodules benefit the gorse plant.

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ii) Suggest how the nodule benefit the bacteria.

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iii) Outline the differences between nitrifying, nitrogen-fixing and denitrifying bacteria.

Nitrifying bacteria- …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Nitrogen-fixing bacteria-……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Denitrifying bacteria-………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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iv) Explain what is meant by term denitrification

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2. A bacterium found in oceans is Nitrococcus mobilis which carries out the following step in the
nitrogen cycle.

i) Name the stage in the nitrogen cycle in which this step occurs.

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ii) Describe how nitrogen in nitrate can be returned to the atmosphere in the form of
nitrogen gas.

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iii) Explain what is meant by the term ammonification.

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3. The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle.

Which processes are carried out by bacteria? Circle the correct answer.
4. The diagram shows the nitrogen cycle

i) Match the letters, A,B and C with the words in the list.

Ammonia ……………………………..

Nitrate ………………………………

Nitrification ……………………………..

5. The diagram shows the general pattern of a nutrient cycle, such as the nitrogen cycle.

i) During which stage in the nitrogen cycle are denitrifying bacteria involves?

6. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.

a) Animal waste decay by the action of bacteria which create ………………………………..

and……………………………. products rich in nitrogen, and useful for plants to use again.

b) ……………………………………………….. bacteria in the soil can break down the ammonia into

the gaseous form of nitrogen, which is not available for use by plants or animals.

c) In another part of the cycle, animals eat …………………………… containing nitrogen, which

is again returned to the soil by animal …………………………..……….. or decaying

…………………………………….and ………….………………………