Evolution of nitrogenase: Providing Nutrients to Feed a Hungry World

All living organisms need energy and nutrients to build and maintain cellular components. This is true for both familiar organisms like plants and animals (Eukarya) and single-celled organisms in the domains Bacteria and Archaea. Humans get energy and nutrients from food, all of which ultimately comes from plants, whether directly or indirectly through animals.

Photosynthetic organisms like plants, algae, and Cyanobacteria use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into organic matter via photosynthesis. They obtain most nutrients from their environment, often made available by Bacteria and Archaea. Nitrogen, crucial for all life, mostly exists as dinitrogen (N2) gas, which is not bioavailable to most organisms. The enzyme nitrogenase converts N2 into usable forms, sustaining life on Earth.