When did biological nitrogen fixation evolve?5 answersBiological nitrogen fixation evolved early during the evolution of life, with evidence suggesting that it is at least 3.2 billion years old. The enzyme nitrogenase, crucial for fixing atmospheric nitrogen, played a significant role in the history of life, possibly utilizing molybdenum as a cofactor. Nitrogen fixation is distributed among phylogenetically diverse bacteria and some methanogenic Archaea, showcasing its ancient origins. The process of nitrogen fixation involves the reduction of gaseous dinitrogen to bioavailable nitrogen, primarily facilitated by the molybdenum-dependent nitrogenase in archaea and eubacteria. The genes essential for nitrogen fixation evolved after the divergence of bacteria and archaea, with nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts evolving multiple times in higher plants, particularly in angiosperms. This evolutionary process has been crucial for maintaining nitrogen supply for plant life over millions of years.
How to measure nitrogen fixation?5 answersNitrogen fixation can be measured using several methods. One commonly used technique is the acetylene reduction assay (ARA), which determines the rate of acetylene (C2H2) reduction or ethylene (C2H4) production in samples. This method involves gas chromatography to quantify the C2H4 production rate, which is then converted to determine the N2-fixation rate. Another method is the total nitrogen difference (TND) method, which calculates the difference in total nitrogen before and after fixation. The xylem-solute method measures ureide production or solute concentration in the xylem sap. Additionally, the use of 15N labeled compounds can provide a specific tracer for measuring nitrogen fixation. It is important to note that the acetylene reduction assay has been widely used but may have accuracy issues. Overall, these methods offer various approaches to measure nitrogen fixation in different contexts.
What are the different ways to obtain energy for N2 fixation bacteria?4 answersDifferent ways to obtain energy for N2 fixation bacteria include obtaining energy from photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, using mechanical energy in a mechanical-energy-driven plasma jet, and utilizing cellulose and hemicellulose as substrates for microbial biomass production and N2 fixation. Cyanobacteria, which are photosynthetic, have evolved multiple solutions to obtain sufficient energy for N2 fixation while protecting from O2. Mechanical-energy-driven N2 fixation in a plasma jet is achieved through a vibrational excitation dissociation process with low energy barriers. Diazotrophic bacteria can utilize cellulose and hemicellulose from plant residues as substrates for N2 fixation. These bacteria form a mixed microbial community where N2-fixing bacteria utilize cellobiose and glucose produced from straw by cellulolytic microorganisms.
What is the name of the bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil?5 answersThe bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil include Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Anaeromyxobacteraceae, and Geobacteraceae within Deltaproteobacteria. Diazotrophs, which are bacteria that can fix nitrogen, are found in Classes such as Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Betaproteobacteria, Chloroflexia, Cytophagia, Deltaproteobacteria, Gammapoteobacteria, and Sphingobacteriia. Rhizobia, a diverse group of soil bacteria, are also involved in symbiotic nitrogen fixation with Fabaceae plants. The global diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria is influenced by climatic conditions, with most groups being positively correlated with stable hot or seasonally humid climates. The diversity and abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria are also influenced by soil parameters such as pH and nitrogen content. The morphological and biochemical characters of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the roots of mung bean and tomato plants in Belu Regency include round shape, small size, flat elevation, and milky white color.
What levels of nitrogen and other compounds have legumen that fix nitrogen?5 answersLegumes that fix nitrogen utilize various nitrogen sources, including aspartic and glutamic acids, nitrate, and ammonium sulphate. In sand culture, the application of heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, copper, and zinc inhibited nitrogen fixation in soybeans. Cadmium had the greatest toxic effect, reducing nodule number, dry weight, and nitrogen fixation. Nickel reduced nitrogen fixation despite adequate nodulation. Copper and zinc slightly inhibited nitrogen fixation but had a lesser impact on nodulation. The presence of heavy metals led to low levels of leghemoglobin in nodules and the accumulation of ammonia, which can repress nitrogenase synthesis and limit nitrogen fixation. Additionally, recent work suggests that there may be a flow of fixed nitrogen to Rhizobium bacteroids, supported by evidence of nitrogen transport, proline metabolism, and specific amino compounds within nodules. The acetylene reduction assay, commonly used to measure biological nitrogen fixation, has been found to be inaccurate.
What is the maximum amount of kg H2 that can be produced per n2 in the fixing bactria?5 answersThe maximum amount of kg H2 that can be produced per N2 in the fixing bacteria is not mentioned in the abstracts provided.