Which molecule is NOT considered a form of inorganic nitrogen?

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Study for the UCF MCB2004 Microbiology for Health Professionals Exam 2. Engage with interactive content, flashcards, and detailed explanations to boost your preparation and confidence. Secure better results on your exam!

Amino acids are organic molecules that contain nitrogen, but they also possess a carbon backbone, making them fundamentally different from inorganic nitrogen forms. Inorganic nitrogen refers to nitrogen in forms that do not contain carbon, such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrogen gas.

Ammonia is a simple inorganic compound formed by nitrogen and hydrogen, while nitrate is an ionic form of nitrogen found in the environment. Nitrogen gas, which makes up a significant portion of the Earth's atmosphere, is also classified as inorganic because it exists as a diatomic molecule that lacks carbon.

Amino acids, in contrast, are the building blocks of proteins and have both a carboxyl group and an amino group attached to carbon, further categorizing them as organic compounds rather than inorganic ones. Thus, amino acids do not fit the criteria for inorganic nitrogen.