Which of the following is responsible for the conversion of nitrites to nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?
Answer Details
Nitrifying bacteria are responsible for the conversion of nitrites to nitrates in the nitrogen cycle. This process is known as nitrification and involves two separate steps. First, nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2-), and then nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrite (NO2-) to nitrate (NO3-). Nitrates are an important form of nitrogen that plants can use to grow. Without nitrifying bacteria, the nitrogen cycle would be incomplete and plants would not have access to the nitrogen they need to survive.