Rhizobium, a symbiotic

Summary

Plants require nitrogen to make proteins, which they absorb from the soil. Although 78% of Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen, plants cannot directly use it. The bacterium Rhizobium, living in the roots of legumes like gram and moong beans, converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants. In return, the plants offer food and shelter to the bacteria. This creates a symbiotic relationship, benefiting both parties. Rhizobium plays a key role in enhancing nitrogen availability for plants, contributing to their growth and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Plants require a lot of nitrogen to make proteins and absorb nitrogen continuously from the soil.
• 😀 Nitrogen is essential for plant growth but can become deficient in the soil due to continuous absorption.
• 😀 78% of the Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen, but plants cannot use it directly like they do carbon dioxide.
• 😀 Plants need nitrogen in a soluble form for their growth, which is not directly available from the atmosphere.
• 😀 Rhizobium bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a soluble form that plants can use.
• 😀 Rhizobium bacteria live in the roots of legumes like gram, moong beans, and other pulses.
• 😀 In exchange for nitrogen, the plants provide food and shelter to the Rhizobium bacteria.
• 😀 The relationship between plants and Rhizobium is an example of symbiosis.
• 😀 Symbiotic relationships benefit both organisms involved, like how plants and Rhizobium bacteria help each other.
• 😀 Legumes such as beans and peas are particularly important for fixing nitrogen in the soil, improving soil health.

Q & A

Why do plants require nitrogen?

Plants require nitrogen to make proteins, which are essential for their growth and development.

What happens to the nitrogen levels in the soil as plants grow?

As plants absorb nitrogen from the soil to make proteins, the nitrogen levels in the soil become deficient.

What percentage of nitrogen is present in the atmosphere?

78% of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen.

Why can't plants directly use atmospheric nitrogen?

Plants cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen in its gaseous form; they require it to be in a soluble form to absorb it.

How do plants get the nitrogen they need?

Plants get the nitrogen they need through a process where rhizobium bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a soluble form, which the plants can absorb.

What is the role of rhizobium bacteria in nitrogen fixation?

Rhizobium bacteria live in the roots of legumes and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb, providing them with the nitrogen they need.

Which types of plants are associated with rhizobium bacteria?

Rhizobium bacteria are found in the roots of legumes like gram, beans, and moong beans.

What benefits do plants provide to rhizobium bacteria?

Plants provide food and shelter to rhizobium bacteria, allowing them to thrive and perform nitrogen fixation.

What kind of relationship exists between plants and rhizobium bacteria?

The relationship between plants and rhizobium bacteria is symbiotic, meaning both parties benefit from the arrangement.

What is a symbiotic relationship?

A symbiotic relationship is a close and long-term interaction between two different species, where both species benefit from the relationship.