Why are nitrifying bacteria called chemoautotrophs?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Nitrifying bacteria are called chemoautotrophs because they obtain energy through chemosynthesis—oxidizing inorganic nitrogen compounds (ammonia to nitrite, nitrite to nitrate) rather than using solar energy. This liberated chemical energy is used to synthesize organic compounds from CO₂ and hydrogen donors, making them independent of photosynthesis.
Examples:
- Nitrosomonas and Nitrococcus (ammonia → nitrite)
- Nitrobacter and Nitrocystis (nitrite → nitrate)
Suggested Q&A
General · Class 12- GeneralClass 12Electric Field at Centre of Ring with Non-Uniform Charge Distribution. Four quadrants carry linear charge densities: +2λ, −2λ, +λ, −λ. Find electric field at centre.
- GeneralClass 12P°(hexane) = 408 Torr, P°(heptane) = 141 Torr. x(hexane) = 0.300. Find Y₆ and Y₇.
- GeneralClass 122N₂O₅(g) → 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g). Initial P = 50 mmHg; P at 30 min = 87.5 mmHg. Find P at 60 min.
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between psychosis and neurosis?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between prism and a pyramid?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between phrase and clause?