Nitrogen fixation theory

Nitrogen fixation is the natural process by which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂), which most organisms can't use directly, into ammonia (NH₃) or related compounds. These bacteria often live in soil or water, or in plant roots called legumes. The converted nitrogen compounds become accessible to plants, which use them to grow and develop. This process is essential because nitrogen is vital for building proteins and DNA, but atmospheric nitrogen is inert and unavailable to most living things without this biological conversion.