Nitrogen Fixation

The process of nitrogen fixation is carried out in microbes.

Nitrogen fixation carried out by bacteria helps farmers yield healthy crops.

The conversion of N₂ to NH₃ depends on a complex reaction, essential to which are enzymes known as nitrogenases.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria have different strategies to reduce oxygen levels, which interfere with nitrogenase function.

Through control of gene expression, nitrogen fixing bacteria can turn on and off the proteins needed for nitrogen fixation.