Where do plants get the nitrogen they need to create amino acids and DNA?

Question

A)Plants get their nitrogen from nitrogen gas (N2), which moves into leaves through holes called stomata.

B)Plants take up nitrates (NO3-) from the soil and convert them into ammonia (NH3).

C)Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), and plants take up some of the ammonia (NH3) through their roots.

D)Both B and C are correct.

E)A, B, and C are all correct.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) Both B and C are correct.

Here's a brief explanation of each option:

• A) is incorrect because while plants cannot directly take up nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere, they do rely on other organisms to convert it into a usable form.
• B) is correct as plants take up nitrates (NO3-) from the soil, which they can then convert into amino acids and DNA components through various biochemical processes.
• C) is also correct because nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), which plants can absorb through their roots.

Therefore, both B and C describe valid processes by which plants acquire nitrogen needed for growth and development.