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The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds is nitrogen fixation.Rhizobium bacteria living in the root nodules of legume plants, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.Microorganisms in the soil convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium compounds, thereby enabling the survival of plants and animals.Nitrogen is an essential constituent of proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll and vitamins.Blue green algae are able to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.Nitrogen from the atmosphere is fixed by biological nitrogen fixers like blue green algae and some bacteria.Fungi are decomposers that degrade organic waste compounds into simple substances, ready for reuse by plants.The circulation of nitrogen between organisms and the atmosphere is called the nitrogen cycle.Some microorganisms reside in the root nodules of leguminous plants and fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, and increase soil fertility.Nitrogen is also fixed by lightning to a small extent.Microorganisms in soil decompose harmful and smelly substances, leading to a cleaner environment.
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