Question

What is the function of denitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 1

Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrogen found in the soil into atmospheric nitrogen.

Explanation:

In the nitrogen cycle, denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate (`NO_3^-`) found in the soil into nitrogen gas (`N_2`). This process is called denitrification.

Denitrifying bacteria allows nitrogen to return to the atmosphere.