Multiple choice

The role of decomposers in nitrogen cycle is to

  1. fix N2 into ammonia

  2. release ammonia from organic compounds, thus returning it to the soil

  3. denitrify ammonia thus returning N2 into the soil

  4. incorporate nitrogen into amino acids and organic compounds
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down organic nitrogen compounds in dead organisms and waste products, releasing ammonia (NH3) into the soil through ammonification. This makes nitrogen available again for plants to use. Option A describes nitrogen fixation (by nitrogen-fixing bacteria), option C describes denitrification (by denitrifying bacteria), and option D describes assimilation (by plants, not decomposers).

Keep practicing — related questions