What happens in the nitrogen cycle?

5 steps in the Nitrogen Cycle

Fixation - Special bacteria convert the nitrogen gas (N2) to ammonia (NH3) which the plants can use.

Nitrification - Nitrification is the process which converts the ammonia into nitrite ions which the plants can take in as nutrients.

Assimilation - Assimilation is the process by which plants and animals incorporate the NO3 - and ammonia formed through nitrogen fixation and nitrification.

Ammonification - After all of the living organisms have used the nitrogen, decomposer bacteria convert the nitrogen-rich waste compounds into simpler ones.

Denitrification - Denitrification is the final step in which other bacteria convert the simple nitrogen compounds back into nitrogen gas (N2), which is then released back into the atmosphere to begin the cycle again.