This article explores the biological process of nitrogen fixation, highlighting the enzyme nitrogenase and its role in converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants. It contrasts this natural process with the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, emphasizing the environmental benefits of biological nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen is an essential component in the production of amino acids and nucleic acids -- both necessary for cell growth and function. Although the atmosphere is composed of nearly 80% nitrogen, this nitrogen is in the form of dinitrogen (N2), which cannot be processed by most organisms. Atmospheric nitrogen must first be converted, or 'fixed,' into a form that can be used by plants, often as ammonia. There are only two ways of fixing nitrogen, one industrial and one biological.
To better understand a key component of the biological process, University of California San Diego Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Akif Tezcan and Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mark Herzik took a multi-pronged approach. Their work appears in the journal Nature. The Haber-Bosch process, developed in the early 20th century, enabled the large-scale production of synthetic fertilizers, increased agricultural yields and helped the world population skyrocket. However, this process is energy-intensive, operating at very high temperatures and pressures. It also requires vast amounts of hydrogen, generated by burning fossil fuels, and is responsible for immense amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The biological route to fixing nitrogen is done by diazotrophs, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that contain an enzyme called nitrogenase. In contrast to the Haber-Bosch process, nitrogenase can be catalyzed at ambient pressures and temperatures and does not cause greenhouse gas emissions. However, nitrogenase also requires large amounts of biochemical fuel, in the form of energy-producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP
Nitrogen Fixation Diazotrophs Nitrogenase Haber-Bosch Process Sustainability
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