Explain how the nitrogen used for making proteins in a lion's body traveled from the atmosphere to the lion. How will it be returned to the atmosphere after the lion dies?

Google Nitrogen cycle animal

To understand how nitrogen is used in a lion's body and how it cycles back into the atmosphere, we need to examine the nitrogen cycle.

1. Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, but it is not readily available to most organisms. Certain bacteria in the soil and the roots of leguminous plants can convert nitrogen gas into a more usable form, such as ammonia (NH3) or nitrate (NO3-). These compounds can be taken up by plants or indirectly consumed by animals that eat the plants.

2. Lion's Nutrition: Lions are apex predators, so they acquire nitrogen indirectly through their diet. They consume herbivores (e.g., zebras, wildebeest) that have obtained nitrogen by feeding on plants. The lion's digestive system breaks down the proteins in their prey into amino acids, including nitrogen-rich ones.

3. Protein Synthesis: The amino acids absorbed by the lion's body are used to build its own proteins, including those required for muscle development, organ function, and other biological processes. Nitrogen is a fundamental element in proteins, so it becomes an essential component in the lion's body structure.

4. Lion's Metabolism: Through metabolism, the lion uses the nitrogen from proteins for various purposes. Nitrogen may be converted into urea, a waste product that can be excreted by the lion's kidneys. Some nitrogen is also lost through other metabolic processes, such as respiration and sweating.

5. Nitrogen Return: After the lion dies, its body undergoes decomposition. Bacteria and fungi break down the organic matter, including nitrogen-rich tissues, returning nitrogen to the environment. The decomposition process releases ammonia (NH3) as a byproduct, which can be further converted into nitrate (NO3-) by nitrifying bacteria.

6. Denitrification: In the final step, denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), completing the cycle. This release of nitrogen gas into the atmosphere can occur through various natural processes, such as in wetlands or during volcanic activity.

In summary, the nitrogen used by a lion originates from the atmosphere as nitrogen gas. It enters the lion's body indirectly through the food chain and is utilized in protein synthesis. After the lion dies, the nitrogen is returned to the environment through decomposition and subsequent stages of the nitrogen cycle, ultimately completing the cycle by being converted back to nitrogen gas in the atmosphere.