Nitrogen fixation process of bacteria

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nitrogen fixation process of bacteria and its relationship to plant growth, particularly focusing on how plants obtain carbon for their rapid growth. The scope includes concepts from chemistry and botany, with participants exploring the sources of carbon for plants and the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that trees require bacteria for nitrogen fixation and questions the source of carbon for seed growth.
  • Another participant suggests that carbon comes from the atmosphere, citing its concentration, but acknowledges the complexity of carbon migration through soil.
  • A participant mentions hydroponics as a method of growing plants without soil, speculating that plants must obtain carbon from atmospheric CO2.
  • There is a call for expertise in biology to clarify the discussion, indicating uncertainty about the botanical aspects.
  • A later reply confirms that plants obtain carbon from atmospheric CO2, but distinguishes between the roles of CO2 and sunlight in photosynthesis, leading to some confusion about the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the details of carbon acquisition by plants, with some agreeing that atmospheric CO2 is a source, while others remain confused about the specifics of the process. No consensus is reached on the broader implications of nitrogen fixation in relation to carbon sources.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about carbon sources and the specifics of photosynthesis, as well as the dependence on definitions related to nitrogen fixation and plant growth processes.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersections of chemistry, botany, and environmental science, particularly in understanding plant growth and nutrient cycles.

Cyrus
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I was just reading something in my chem book about the nitrogen fixation process of bacteria. It said that trees need the bacteria to do this process. As a side thought, I think trees are mostly carbon, and a seed grows relatively fast. I was just wondering where does a seed get this large supply of carbon from to become so big so fast. Is there a lot of carbon in the soil?
 
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I'd guess it's from the atmosphere (about 340 ppm). Soil contains about 200 ppm carbon but that would require serious migration of C through the soil.
 
Yeah must be, cause through hydroponics (is that how you spell it?) you can grow plants on small pebble rocks. So there is no soil, and thus no carbon for the plant to obvtain from the ground. I guess its the CO2 in the air that plants get their carbon from? I know they use CO2 for energy, or is it a biproduct of their synthesis. Hmm, now I am all confused. I am no good at botany.
 
I can only guess at these things - we need a biologist here! Anyone?
 
LOL, we need bill nye the science guy! What ever happened to him. NO NO NO, this is a question for the master, Carl Sagan. I wish I was born earlier so I could meet the guy before he died. He seems like such a cool person. His series cosmos was so well made, even by todays standards. He wasent some dorky scientist. He was classy and thought provoking and made things seem very interesting and intriguing.
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
I guess its the CO2 in the air that plants get their carbon from? I know they use CO2 for energy, or is it a biproduct of their synthesis. Hmm, now I am all confused. I am no good at botany.

Yes you are right the carbon comes form the CO2 in air. The CO2 is not really used for energy, the energy comes form the sunlight that falls on the leaves, this energy is used to combine water and carbondioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen (that is why the process is called photosynthesis).
 
Thanks, gerben!
 

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