What is the function of Nitrosomonas bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

• Nitrosomonas bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by oxidizing ammonia (NH₃) to nitrite (NO₂⁻). This is a part of the process known as nitrification, where ammonia is first converted into nitrite by Nitrosomonas bacteria, and later, other bacteria (like Nitrobacter) convert the nitrite into nitrate (NO₃⁻), which is more easily absorbed by plants.

📌Other Options Explanations:

-Oxidation of nitrite: This step is carried out by a different group of bacteria called Nitrobacter. They convert the nitrite produced by Nitrosomonas into nitrate (NO₃⁻), the preferred form of nitrogen for most plants.
-Reduction of nitrite: Some bacteria can convert nitrite back to gaseous forms of nitrogen (like N₂ or N₂O) through a process called denitrification.
-Nitrogen fixation: While some bacteria (like Rhizobia) can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into usable forms,