Sand_Trout t1_iuhzpf3 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:08 PM

The core of the issue is that it take a lot of energy to convert N2 (atmospheric nitrogen) into Nitrate (NO3^- ), and is difficult for a plant or animal to do in their cells.

To illustrate the energy intensity of the process, AFAIK, the main mechanism for N2 to get converted to NO3^- is lightning strikes.

WritingTheRongs t1_iuisqmx wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:26 PM

how are lowly bacteria able to do something that's too difficult for a plant or animal cell??

Sand_Trout t1_iuiyv35 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:06 PM

Because they can deal with in on a small scale and have very short times between generations, which then allows batacteria to evolve much faster than multi-celular organisms.