* Nitrogen fixation: Bacteria, primarily those in the genus *Rhizobium*, perform nitrogen fixation. This process converts atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2), which is unusable by most organisms, into ammonia (NH3).
* Ammonia assimilation: This ammonia is then absorbed by plants and used to synthesize organic compounds like proteins and nucleic acids.
* Food chain: These nitrogen-containing compounds are passed along the food chain as animals consume plants and each other.
* Decomposers: When organisms die, decomposers break down their organic matter, releasing nitrogen back into the environment as ammonia or nitrates.
* Nitrogen cycle: This whole process is part of the nitrogen cycle, a continuous cycle where nitrogen is constantly being transformed and recycled through the environment.
Therefore, the free nitrogen produced by bacteria doesn't disappear. It is used in various biological processes and ultimately becomes part of the nitrogen cycle. It's constantly being transformed and reused, not simply going to a specific location.
