Q28 / 180 · NEET 2020 (Phase 1) · Botany

The product(s) of reaction catalyzed by nitrogenase in root nodules of leguminous plants is/are:

  • A
    Nitrate alone
  • B
    Ammonia and oxygen
  • Correct answer
    C
    Ammonia and hydrogen
  • D
    Ammonia alone

Solution

MECHANISM OF BIOLOGICAL N2 FIXATION:

It takes place in leguminous plants (Fabaceae) by the symbiotic bacterium Rhizobium, which forms nodules in their roots. N2 is directly converted into an NH4+ ion, which is used in plant metabolism. Root nodules act as the site for N2 fixation. It contains all necessary biochemical components like enzyme nitrogenase, leghaemoglobin, that are required in N2 fixation. Enzyme nitrogenase is a Mo–Fe protein & catalyzes the conversion of atmospheric N2 to NH3. 

The reaction takes place in two steps:

(i) N2 + 8e- + 8H+ +16ATP →Nitrogenase 2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP + 16Pi(ii) 2NH3 + H2 → 2NH4+ + 2e-

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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