Nodules (dark) formed by nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria on a leguminous plant's roots. The plant and the bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. The ba

---

Nodules (dark) formed by nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria on a leguminous plant's roots. The plant and the bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. The bacteria convert (fix) atmospheric nitrogen in the soil to ammonia. The plant cannot carry out this process itself, but it is vital for the production of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. In return the plant passes carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis to the bacteria for use as an energy source. The bacteria enter the plant through its root hairs.

---

Size: 3953px × 2216px
Photo credit: © ***DEPENDS ON PIC***/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, association, bacteria, biological, biology, botanical, botany, cycle, fabaceae, fixing, flora, legume, legumes, leguminous, microbiological, microbiology, mutualism, mutualistic, nature, nitrogen, nitrogen-fixing, nodules, plant, rhizobia, rhizosphere, root, roots, soil, symbiont, symbioses, symbiosis, symbiotic, underground