What are the steps of the nitrogen cycle, including the correct order?

Question

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Plants take in nitrogen, animals eat plants, living things die, releasing nitrogen back into the environment, nitrogen fixation
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Nitrogen fixation, plants take in nitrogen, animals eat plants, living things die, releasing nitrogen back into the environment
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Plants take in nitrogen, nitrogen fixation, animals eat plants, living things die, releasing nitrogen back into the environment
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Plants take in nitrogen, animals eat plants, nitrogen fixation, living things die, releasing nitrogen back into the environment

Answer 1

The correct order of steps in the nitrogen cycle is:

1. Nitrogen fixation - Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into forms that plants can absorb (like ammonium or nitrates) by certain bacteria and lightning.
2. Plants take in nitrogen - Plants absorb these fixed nitrogen compounds from the soil for their growth and development.
3. Animals eat plants - Herbivores consume the plants, incorporating the nitrogen into their bodies.
4. Living things die - When plants and animals die, decomposers break down their organic matter.
5. Releasing nitrogen back into the environment - Decomposition releases nitrogen back into the soil, where it can be used again by plants or converted back to atmospheric nitrogen by denitrifying bacteria.

Thus, the correct answer is Nitrogen fixation, plants take in nitrogen, animals eat plants, living things die, releasing nitrogen back into the environment.