Question

Nitrogen is usually the growth-limiting nutrient in the ecology of higher organisms and their biomes ( a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat ex: forest or tundra). Briefly discuss the ways in which inorganic nitrogen-containing molecules like amino acids nucleotide bases and heme. (Note: no complete pathways or mechanisms are required but be specific about the chemical strategies.) How is excess nitrogen (from a diet with more protein than necessary, for example) excreted?

Answer 1

The nitrogen is essential for the growth of an organism as it is a vital part of multiple molecules including the proteins, and nucleic acids. Both of these are very crucial for an organism to survive and grow. The nitrogen present in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia by the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which is taken up by the plants. This nitrogen is then taken up by the animals when they eat plants. The nitrogen forms basic vital building blcoks in all organisms, such as amino acids and nucleotides.

The excess nitrogen present in the body is excreted in the form of urea. The liver converts the ammonia into urea which is sent to the kidneys where they filter it out and it is then excreted in urine.