Biological Nitrogen-Fixation

The process by which molecular nitrogen (N₂) is reduced to ammonia (NH₃) is called nitrogen-fixation (N₂-fixation). This is the most important section of this unit and is fairly long. Here we first introduce you to the species capable of N₂-fixation and describe the formation of nodules during symbiotic association.

Then we go through the reactions and-enzymes involved in the conversion of molecular nitrogen to NH₃. A brief section on the genetics of N₂-fixation will introduce you to the possibility of transferring, N₂-fixing capability to non N₂-fixers.