Question

Nitrate is reduced and ultimately produces N2 through a series of intermediate gaseous nitrogen oxide products is called ____________

(a) Nitrogen fixation

(b) Nitrification

(c) Denitrification

(d) Nitrogen assimilation

I have been asked this question in examination.

My doubt stems from Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism in portion Lipid Biosynthesis, Biosynthesis of Amino Acids, Nucleotides and Related Molecules of Biochemistry

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Denitrification

Explanation: Conversion of nitrogen to ammonia or nitrogenous compounds is termed as nitrogen fixation.

Formation of organic nitrogen compounds like amino acids from inorganic nitrogen compounds is called nitrogen assimilation.

Ammonia or ammonium is oxidized to nitrite followed by the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate is called nitrification.