nitrifying bacteria

[ nī′trə-fī′ĭng ]

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Any of various soil bacteria that change ammonia or ammonium into nitrite or change nitrite into nitrate as part of the nitrogen cycle. Bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas are the primary converters of ammonium into nitrite (which is actually toxic to plants), and bacteria of the genus Nitrobacter oxidize the nitrite to form nitrate ions (which are readily absorbed and usable by plants). Most of the nitrogen contained in fertilizer is made available to plants by these bacteria.

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acting selfishly

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Words nearby nitrifying bacteria

nitriding, nitriding steel, nitrification, nitrifier, nitrify, nitrifying bacteria, nitrile, nitrile rubber, nitrilo-, nitrite, nitrituria

How to use nitrifying bacteria in a sentence

The more antibiotics are used inappropriately, the greater the risk of bacteria growing resistant to them.
Without Education, Antibiotic Resistance Will Be Our Greatest Health Crisis|Russell Saunders|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What specific bacteria and viruses can be detected in the sewage?
The Secret to Tracking Ebola, MERS, and Flu? Sewers|Wudan Yan|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If all animals vanished, most bacteria would still live on, but if all bacteria disappeared, we would die quickly.
Why Did It Take So Long For Complex Life To Evolve On Earth? Blame Oxygen.|Matthew R. Francis|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A new book focuses on gut bacteria as the key to a healthy weight.
‘Good Poop’ Diet Is the Next Big Thing|Daniela Drake|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But consider that when we eat, the bacteria are actually fed first.
‘Good Poop’ Diet Is the Next Big Thing|Daniela Drake|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bacteria, when present in great numbers, give a uniform cloud which cannot be removed by ordinary filtration.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
It is to be remembered, however, that a few of these bacteria may reach the sputum from the upper air-passages.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Bacteria of various kinds, especially staphylococci, are usually numerous.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
They are able to migrate readily from place to place and to ingest small bodies, as bacteria.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Undiluted normal blood can agglutinate most bacteria, but loses this power when diluted to any considerable degree.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd