Nitrogen cycle.

Biological importance: Nitrogen is a component of amino acids and nucleic acids.

Forms available to life: Producers can use inorganic ammonium (NH[4]^+) or nitrate (NO[3]^-). Consumers can only use organic nitrogen.

Reservoirs: The main reservoir is the atmosphere, which is 80% nitrogen gas (N[2]).

Key processes: Nitrogen enters ecosystems through nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium bacteria.

Ammonifying bacteria decompose organic nitrogen to NH[4]^+.

Nitrifying bacteria convert NH[4]^+ to NO[3]^-, while denitrifying bacteria use NO[3]^- in their metabolism and releases N[2].