What happens to nitrogen when animals consume plants?

When animals consume plants, the nitrogen present in the plants is assimilated, meaning it is absorbed and incorporated into the animal's body. Plants take up nitrogen primarily in the form of nitrate or ammonium from the soil, which they derive from the nitrogen cycle processes, including nitrogen fixation. When herbivores eat these plants, they break down the proteins and amino acids in the plant matter, allowing them to use the nitrogen for their own growth and metabolism.

Assimilation is an essential part of the nutrient cycle, as it enables organisms to use the vital element nitrogen to build proteins and nucleic acids, which are crucial components for life. This incorporation of nitrogen into animal proteins contributes to the overall cycling of nitrogen through ecosystems, as nitrogen is later returned to the soil through excretion and decomposition when animals die.

The other options do not accurately describe what occurs when animals consume plants. Nitrogen fixation refers to the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form by certain bacteria, primarily in the soil, and does not occur in animals. Denitrification is the process of converting nitrates into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere, which is not a direct result of animal consumption of plants. Volatilization refers to the conversion of a substance