Why is the nitrogen cycle important to living things?

Question

Ezekiel Allen · Accepted Answer

The nitrogen cycle is important to all living things because all organisms are made up of nitrogen.

The nitrogen cycle describes how nitrogen moves across earth. Nitrogen is found in all living organisms: in amino acids, which in turn make up proteins, in nucleic acids, in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and in other compounds that are essential for life.

DNA is made up of nitrogen:

ATP is responsible for transporting chemical energy
within cells:

Humans and all other living organisms would cease to exist without nitrogen, thus its availability and how it cycles through the environment has direct consequences for all living organisms.

Brooklyn Alexander · Answer

undefined The nitrogen cycle is important to living things because nitrogen is a crucial element for the formation of proteins, nucleic acids, and other essential molecules in organisms. Nitrogen gas makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, but most organisms cannot use nitrogen in this form. Through the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen is converted into different forms that can be used by living organisms, such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. These forms of nitrogen are taken up by plants and other organisms, ultimately becoming part of the food chain. Without the nitrogen cycle, living organisms would not be able to access the nitrogen they need to survive and grow.