Root nodule. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a root nodule on a pea plant (Pisum sativum) caused by the nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria R
Root nodule. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a root nodule on a pea plant (Pisum sativum) caused by the nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum. The plant and the bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. The bacteria converts (fixes) 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 enters the plant through its root hairs, where an infection thread leads it to the nodule. Magnification: x120 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Size: 4993px × 3492px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: agricultural, agriculture, ammonia, atmospheric, bacteria, bacterium, bacteroid, bacteroids, biological, biology, botanical, botany, coloured, cortex, false-colour, false-coloured, fixing, infection, legume, leguminosarum, leguminous, microbiological, microbiology, nature, nitrogen, nodule, pea, pisum, plant, rhizobium, root, sativum, sem, single, spongy, symbiont, symbiosis, symbiotic, thread
