Question

Which one of the following statement is CORRECT?

• A. Legumes fix nitrogen only through specialized bacteria that live in their leaves.
• B. Legumes alone are capable of fixing nitrogen.
• C. Legumes fix nitrogen only through the specialized bacteria that live in their roots.
• D. Legumes fix nitrogen independently of the specialized bacteria that live in their roots.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium form a symbiotic relationship with the leguminous plants in their roots. These microbes form root nodules in the legumes through which they fix nitrogen. The root nodule helps creating zero-oxygen environment to conduct nitrogen fixation process. The bacteria have the enzyme nitrogenase that helps in the process of fixing nitrogen.