All Exams  >   JAMB  >   Chemistry for JAMB  >   All Questions

All questions of Nitrogen for JAMB Exam

How does excessive nitrogen runoff from agricultural activities affect aquatic ecosystems?
  • a)
    It promotes algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
  • b)
    It increases biodiversity and species richness.
  • c)
    It reduces water acidity and increases fish populations.
  • d)
    It enhances the growth of coral reefs.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Impact of Nitrogen Runoff on Aquatic Ecosystems
Excessive nitrogen runoff from agricultural activities has significant consequences for aquatic ecosystems. The correct answer to the question is option 'A': it promotes algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Here's a detailed explanation:
Understanding Nitrogen Runoff
- Nitrogen fertilizers are commonly used in agriculture to enhance crop growth.
- When it rains, excess nitrogen can wash into nearby rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Algal Blooms
- The influx of nitrogen acts as a nutrient that stimulates the rapid growth of algae, leading to algal blooms.
- These blooms can cover the water surface, blocking sunlight from reaching aquatic plants.
Oxygen Depletion
- As algae die off, they decompose, a process that consumes dissolved oxygen in the water.
- This oxygen depletion can create "dead zones," where aquatic life cannot survive due to low oxygen levels.
Consequences for Aquatic Life
- Fish and other marine organisms may die or migrate to other areas, leading to reduced biodiversity.
- The disruption of food chains can have long-term impacts on the ecosystem, affecting not just fish but also birds and mammals that rely on aquatic life.
Conclusion
In summary, excessive nitrogen runoff from agriculture leads to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion, creating detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. Addressing nitrogen runoff is crucial for maintaining healthy water bodies and preserving biodiversity.

What is the primary source of nitrogen for the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere
  • b)
    Nitrate ions (NO3-) in the soil
  • c)
    Ammonium ions (NH4+) in the soil
  • d)
    Nitrite ions (NO2-) in the soil
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Ekene Nnamdi answered
Primary Source of Nitrogen in the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is a crucial ecological process that recycles nitrogen in various forms, allowing it to be utilized by living organisms. The primary source of nitrogen in this cycle is:
- Nitrogen Gas (N2) in the Atmosphere
Nitrogen gas (N2) constitutes about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere and serves as the main reservoir of nitrogen.
- Importance of Nitrogen Gas
- Inert Nature: Nitrogen gas is inert and does not readily react with other substances. This stability means it requires specific processes, such as nitrogen fixation, to convert it into usable forms for living organisms.
- Nitrogen Fixation: Certain bacteria and archaea, some of which are found in the root nodules of legumes, can convert atmospheric N2 into ammonia (NH3) through nitrogen fixation. This process is essential as it transforms unusable nitrogen into forms that plants can absorb.
Other Forms of Nitrogen
While nitrate ions (NO3-), ammonium ions (NH4+), and nitrite ions (NO2-) are important in the nitrogen cycle, they are derived from the conversion of nitrogen gas or from the decomposition of organic matter.
- Nitrate (NO3-): Produced through nitrification, where ammonia is oxidized by bacteria.
- Ammonium (NH4+): Can form from the breakdown of organic matter or through nitrogen fixation.
- Nitrite (NO2-): An intermediate in the nitrification process, converting ammonia to nitrate.
Conclusion
In summary, nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere is the primary source of nitrogen for the nitrogen cycle, providing the foundational element necessary for the subsequent transformations that support life on Earth.

Which of the following is NOT a component of the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • b)
    Nitrification
  • c)
    Denitrification
  • d)
    Photosynthesis
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is a crucial ecological process that describes the movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. It consists of several key components that work together to ensure the availability of nitrogen in different forms.
Components of the Nitrogen Cycle
  • Nitrogen Fixation: This process converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) or related compounds, making nitrogen accessible to living organisms. It is primarily carried out by certain bacteria and archaea.
  • Nitrification: This is a two-step process where ammonia is first oxidized to nitrites (NO2-) by bacteria, and then nitrites are further oxidized to nitrates (NO3-). Nitrates are a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb and use for growth.
  • Denitrification: This process involves the conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), which is released into the atmosphere. It is carried out by denitrifying bacteria, completing the nitrogen cycle.

Why Photosynthesis is NOT Part of the Nitrogen Cycle
Photosynthesis is a separate process where plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. While it is vital for energy production and forms the base of the food chain, it does not involve the transformation or cycling of nitrogen. Instead, it focuses on carbon and energy transfer in ecosystems.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct answer to the question is option 'D' (Photosynthesis), as it is not a component of the nitrogen cycle but rather a distinct process related to carbon and energy in plants. Understanding these differences is essential for studying ecological interactions and nutrient cycles.

What is the process by which nitrogen gas (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3)?
  • a)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • b)
    Nitrification
  • c)
    Denitrification
  • d)
    Assimilation
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3) by certain nitrogen-fixing bacteria or through industrial processes.

Which human activity has contributed significantly to the disruption of the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Deforestation
  • b)
    Industrial pollution
  • c)
    Overfishing
  • d)
    Carbon emissions
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Industrial pollution, especially from the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes, releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to imbalances in the nitrogen cycle.

Which of the following is the chemical formula for ammonia?
  • a)
    NH3
  • b)
    NH4
  • c)
    N2H4
  • d)
    N2H6
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Ammonia is represented by the chemical formula NH3, which consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms.

Which group of organisms is responsible for the process of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Plants
  • b)
    Animals
  • c)
    Decomposers
  • d)
    Nitrifying bacteria
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nitrifying bacteria are responsible for the process of nitrification, which involves the conversion of ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2-) and further to nitrate (NO3-).

What is the major source of nitrogen oxide emissions in the environment?
  • a)
    Volcanic activity
  • b)
    Agricultural activities
  • c)
    Forest fires
  • d)
    Human respiratory systems
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Agricultural activities, including the use of synthetic fertilizers and livestock manure, contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide emissions in the environment.

What is the shape of an ammonia molecule?
  • a)
    Linear
  • b)
    Trigonal planar
  • c)
    Tetrahedral
  • d)
    Octahedral
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

An ammonia molecule has a tetrahedral shape due to the presence of four electron pairs around the central nitrogen atom.

Which of the following is not a step in the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • b)
    Nitrification
  • c)
    Photosynthesis
  • d)
    Denitrification
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. It does not directly involve the nitrogen cycle.

Which of the following is a human activity that contributes to an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle?
  • a)
    Plant photosynthesis
  • b)
    Deforestation
  • c)
    Volcanic eruptions
  • d)
    Natural decomposition of organic matter
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Deforestation disrupts the nitrogen cycle by reducing the number of plants and trees that absorb nitrogen from the soil, leading to increased nitrogen runoff and potential pollution.

Which of the following is an example of biological nitrogen fixation?
  • a)
    Lightning strikes
  • b)
    Volcanic eruptions
  • c)
    Industrial processes
  • d)
    Rhizobium bacteria in legume nodules
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Biological nitrogen fixation occurs when certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium, form symbiotic relationships with leguminous plants and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, such as ammonia.

In which form does nitrogen primarily enter the food chain?
  • a)
    Nitrate
  • b)
    Nitrite
  • c)
    Ammonia
  • d)
    Atmospheric nitrogen
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ammonia (NH3) is the form in which nitrogen primarily enters the food chain. It is produced through ammonification, which is the breakdown of organic nitrogen compounds by decomposers.

Ammonia is primarily produced through which process?
  • a)
    Combustion
  • b)
    Oxidation
  • c)
    Haber-Bosch process
  • d)
    Polymerization
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ammonia is commonly produced industrially using the Haber-Bosch process, which involves the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen gases in the presence of a catalyst.

Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form that plants can use?
  • a)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • b)
    Ammonification
  • c)
    Nitrification
  • d)
    Denitrification
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, typically through the action of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Which process converts organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia?
  • a)
    Nitrification
  • b)
    Denitrification
  • c)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • d)
    Ammonification
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Ammonification is the process in which organic nitrogen compounds, such as dead plants and animals, are broken down by decomposers into ammonia (NH3).

Which process releases nitrogen gas (N2) back into the atmosphere?
  • a)
    Nitrification
  • b)
    Denitrification
  • c)
    Nitrogen fixation
  • d)
    Assimilation
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Denitrification is the process by which nitrate (NO3-) is converted back into nitrogen gas (N2) by denitrifying bacteria, thus returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Chapter doubts & questions for Nitrogen - Chemistry for JAMB 2025 is part of JAMB exam preparation. The chapters have been prepared according to the JAMB exam syllabus. The Chapter doubts & questions, notes, tests & MCQs are made for JAMB 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, notes, meanings, examples, exercises, MCQs and online tests here.

Chapter doubts & questions of Nitrogen - Chemistry for JAMB in English & Hindi are available as part of JAMB exam. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for JAMB Exam by signing up for free.

Chemistry for JAMB

213 videos|209 docs|162 tests

Top Courses JAMB