Phenomena and Processes

Nitrogen Cycle

The circulation of nitrogen in nature, consisting of a cycle of biochemical reactions in which atmospheric nitrogen is compounded, dissolved in rain, and deposited in the soil, where it is assimilated and metabolized by animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi, eventually returning to the atmosphere by bacterial decomposition of organic matter.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The circulation of nitrogen in nature, consisting of a cycle of biochemical reactions in which atmospheric nitrogen is compounded, dissolved in rain, and deposited in the soil, where it is assimilated and metabolized by animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi, eventually returning to the atmosphere by bacterial decomposition of organic matter.

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See Also

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Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Cycle, Nitrogen
  • Nitrogen Cycles
  • Ammonification

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Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

History Note

2011

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Nitrogen (1963-2010)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G02.111.587w
  2. G02.607.560w
  3. G16.500.768w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Nitrogen Cycle. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D058458. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D058458
  2. Nitrogen Cycle. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle
  3. Nitrogen Cycle. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q82551