legume

(noun)

a large family of herbs, shrubs, and trees that bear nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Related Terms

  • abiotic
  • nitrogen fixation

Examples of legume in the following topics:

  • Symbiosis between Bacteria and Eukaryotes

    • Other bacteria live symbiotically with legume plants, providing the most important source of BNF.
    • Soil bacteria, collectively called rhizobia, are able to symbiotically interact with legumes to form nodules: specialized structures where nitrogen fixation occurs .
    • Some legumes, like soybeans, are also key sources of agricultural protein.
    • Some of the most important legumes are soybean, peanuts, peas, chickpeas, and beans.
    • Other legumes, such as alfalfa, are used to feed cattle.
  • Nitrogen Fixation: Root and Bacteria Interactions

    • The most important source of BNF is the symbiotic interaction between soil bacteria and legume plants, including many crops important to humans.
    • Some legume seeds, such as soybeans and peanuts, contain high levels of protein and are among the most important agricultural sources of protein in the world.
    • Soil bacteria, collectively called rhizobia, symbiotically interact with legume roots to form specialized structures called nodules in which nitrogen fixation takes place .
    • Some common edible legumes, such as (a) peanuts, (b) beans, and (c) chickpeas, are able to interact symbiotically with soil bacteria that fix nitrogen.
  • The Nitrogen Cycle

    • Rhizobium bacteria live symbiotically in the root nodules of legumes (such as peas, beans, and peanuts), providing them with the organic nitrogen they need.
  • Essential Nutrients for Plants

    • Some plants use it for nitrogen fixation; thus, it may need to be added to some soils before seeding legumes.
  • Nutrients from Other Sources

    • Within legume nodules, nitrogen gas from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia, which is then assimilated into amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA and RNA, as well as the important energy molecule ATP), and other cellular constituents such as vitamins, flavones, and hormones.
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