Nitrogen fixation
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Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process by which the abundant but relatively inert molecular dinitrogen is converted into bioavailable nitrogen compounds such as ammonia and nitrates. It occurs both b
Nodules are visible on this broad bean root
A sectioned alder tree root nodule
Lightning heats the air around it in a high-temperature plasma, breaking the bonds of N 2, starting the formation of nitrous acid (HNO 2).
Equipment for a study of nitrogen fixation by alpha rays (Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory, 1926)
Nitrogenase
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Nitrogenases are enzymes that are produced by certain bacteria, such as cyanobacteria and rhizobacteria. These enzymes are responsible for the reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. Nitrogenases are the on
Nitrogen fixation
…weather phenomena (e.g. lightning) or artificially by chemical industries. Biological nitrogen fixation or diazotrophy is catalyzed by enzymes called nitrogenases, produced by microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and rhizobia. These enzyme complexes are encoded by the Nif genes (or Nif homologs) and contain iron…
Catalytic sites within nitrogenase. Atoms are colored by element. Top: Fe-S Cluster Middle: P Cluster Bottom: FeMo-co/M-cluster
Lowe-Thorneley kinetic model for reduction of nitrogen to ammonia by nitrogenase.
Distal vs. alternating mechanistic pathways for nitrogen fixation in nitrogenase.