Which genus of soil bacteria converts toxic nitrites (NO₂⁻) into plant-absorbable nitrates (NO₃⁻) during biological nitrification in agricultural soil?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Nitrobacter
- Step 1: Nitrification occurs in two bacterial stages: First, Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonia (NH₄⁺) to nitrites (NO₂⁻). Step 2. Second, Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrites (NO₂⁻) to nitrates (NO₃⁻), the form plants absorb through roots. Answer: Nitrobacter. Why not the others: Nitrosomonas forms nitrites; Rhizobium fixes nitrogen in root nodules; Pseudomonas performs denitrification (converting nitrates to N₂ gas).
Practise more Genetics, Heredity, Evolution and Ecology.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed NECO Senior School Certificate Examination mock tests.
More Genetics, Heredity, Evolution and Ecology questions
- In a cross between two heterozygous tall pea plants (Tt × Tt), what is the expected phenotypic ratio among the offspring according to Mendel…
- In a dihybrid cross between two plants heterozygous for seed shape and seed color (RrYy × RrYy), what phenotypic ratio is predicted by the l…
- When pure-breeding red four o'clock flowers (Mirabilis jalapa) are crossed with pure-breeding white flowers, all F1 offspring bear pink flow…
- A man with blood group AB marries a woman with blood group O. What are the possible blood groups of their biological children?
- In humans, sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) is inherited as a codominant allele. If two carrier parents with sickle cell trait (HbA HbS × HbA Hb…
- Why is sex-linked red-green color blindness substantially more prevalent among human males than among females?