Question

Fun Fact #17: The symbiotic relationship between legumes and rhizobia is one of the most important processes for life on earth. This is a symbiosis between leguminous plants and nitrogen fixing bacteria. This process is so important because plants need nitrogen to grow (so do you!) and they can only access it from the soil in its ionic form. However nitrogen exists in the air in abundance but not in the soil, this bacteria is responsible for getting the nitrogen from the air and into the soil.

Answer 1

This is no simple symbiosis, after the plant attracts the particular rhizombium that it wants to its roots (by excreting flavinoids) it actually grows a nice little nodule for them which they can survive and happily fix nitrogen. These nodules are at a fine balance with too much oxygen and the bacteria can't fix nitrogen and too little the bacteria die. The plant does this with leghemoglobin, which helps regulate oxygen levels in the cell. Sound familiar? this is because it is very similar to haemoglobin, not only in name but in function and colour too!

Answer 2

nice fact ;)

Answer 3

Thanks! Sometimes I worry if these things are only interesting to me lol