Free Living Nitrogen Fixer Identification
The question requires identifying an organism that fixes atmospheric nitrogen (N2) independently, without forming a symbiotic relationship with a host plant.
Analysis of Nitrogen-Fixing Organisms
- Azotobacter: This bacterium is known to fix atmospheric nitrogen while living freely in various environments like soil and water. It is a classic example of a free-living nitrogen fixer.
- Rhizobium: This bacterium is symbiotic. It lives inside the root nodules of leguminous plants and fixes nitrogen in partnership with the plant. It doesn't fix nitrogen independently in a free-living state.
- Frankia: Similar to Rhizobium, Frankia is a filamentous bacterium that forms symbiotic associations, known as actinorhizae, with the roots of certain non-leguminous plants. It is not free-living.
- Dorylimes: This genus belongs to ants (insects) and is unrelated to nitrogen fixation processes.
Determining the Free Living Nitrogen Fixer
Comparing the options, only Azotobacter meets the criteria of being a free-living organism capable of nitrogen fixation.
Important Questions from Ecology
High juvenile mortality is the characteristic feature of
Which of the following countries has the highest ecological footprint?
Kleptoparasitism refers to
The population (N) of fish in a pond follows the logistic equation = 0.1 N - 0.001 N2. What is the maximum sustainable yield?
With regard to processing of organic matter by soil dwelling macro- and micro- fauna consider the following two statements :
(A) Phytophagous organisms consume living plant material.
(B) Sarcophagus organisms consume dead plant material.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below :
