Nitrite is formed as an intermediate in nitrate reduction.

Nitrite is formed as an intermediate in nitrate reduction.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Nitrate reduction happens in steps, with nitrite produced as the first product. The enzyme nitrate reductase converts nitrate (NO3−) to nitrite (NO2−), and this nitrite then undergoes further reduction either to gaseous forms (NO, N2O, N2) in denitrification or to ammonium in assimilatory pathways. Because nitrite is the immediate product of the initial reduction, it is formed as an intermediate in nitrate reduction. It can accumulate transiently if the downstream steps are slow, but its formation as an intermediate remains true across the common nitrate-reduction routes.

Nitrate reduction happens in steps, with nitrite produced as the first product. The enzyme nitrate reductase converts nitrate (NO3−) to nitrite (NO2−), and this nitrite then undergoes further reduction either to gaseous forms (NO, N2O, N2) in denitrification or to ammonium in assimilatory pathways. Because nitrite is the immediate product of the initial reduction, it is formed as an intermediate in nitrate reduction. It can accumulate transiently if the downstream steps are slow, but its formation as an intermediate remains true across the common nitrate-reduction routes.