Nitrogen is cycled through an ecosystem by both plants and ?(animals).

Decomposers break down dead organisms and their waste products to release
?(ammonia)

in a process called ?(nitrification)

These ?(decomposers) can then be used by plants to make amino acids. The process of converting nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia is called ?(nitrification)

This process is carried out by bacteria that live in ?(watery soils)
and in ?(the ground)

Plants can absorb both ?(nitrates) and
?(nitrogen gas) from the soil, but animals cannot. Animals obtain
?(nitrates) by eating plants and other organisms and then digesting the proteins they contain.

Nitrogen is cycled through an ecosystem by both plants and **animals**. This means that both plants and animals play a role in the nitrogen cycle.

Decomposers break down dead organisms and their waste products to release **ammonia**. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter and produce ammonia as a byproduct. This process is known as decomposition.

In the process of **nitrification**, ammonia is converted into nitrate. Nitrification is a two-step process. First, ammonia is converted into nitrite by nitrifying bacteria, and then nitrite is further converted into nitrate by different species of nitrifying bacteria. Nitrification is an essential step in the nitrogen cycle as it converts ammonia, which is toxic to most organisms, into a usable form of nitrogen.

These **decomposers** that break down organic matter and release ammonia can then be used by plants to make amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for plant growth and development.

The process of converting nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia is also called **nitrification**. This can take place through a process called nitrogen fixation, which is carried out by certain bacteria. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia that can be used by plants.

Nitrification is primarily carried out by **bacteria** that live in watery soils and in the ground. These bacteria play a crucial role in converting ammonia into nitrate, making it accessible for plants to use.

Plants can absorb both **nitrates** (the most common form of nitrogen taken up by plants) and **nitrogen gas** from the soil. However, animals cannot directly absorb nitrogen gas from the environment. Animals obtain nitrates by eating plants and other organisms that contain nitrogen, and then digesting the proteins they contain. Through digestion, animals break down proteins into amino acids, which can then be used for their own growth and tissue repair.