nitrogen

Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78% by volume of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen occurs in all living organisms. It is a constituent element of amino acids and therefore of proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Nitrogen is found in the chemical structure of almost all neurotransmitters and is a key component of alkaloids. Specific bacteria (e. g. Rhizobium trifolium) possess nitrogenase enzymes which can fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form (ammonium ion) which is chemically useful to higher organisms. Animals use nitrogen-containing amino acids from plant sources, as starting materials for all nitrogen-compound animal biochemistry, including the manufacture of proteins and nucleic acids. Animal metabolism of NO (nitric oxide) results in production of nitrite. Animal metabolism of nitrogen in proteins generally results in excretion of urea, while animal metabolism of nucleic acids results in excretion of urea and uric acid. The characteristic odor of animal flesh decay is caused by nitrogen-containing long-chain amines, such as putrescine and cadaverine. Decay of organisms and their waste products may produce small amounts of nitrate, but most decay eventually returns nitrogen content to the atmosphere, as molecular nitrogen. The circulation of nitrogen from the atmosphere through organics and then back to the atmosphere is commonly referred to as the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen can be measured in urine with the Kjeldahl method or by spectrophotometric methods (enzymic tests). Total urinary nitrogen is calculated based on urea urinary nitrogen quantified with these methods. Liquid nitrogen (E941) is widely used in food industry as a freezing agent and as a protection against the impact of microorganisms. Nitrogen (E941) extends the period of validity of food and maintains its nutrients and is also used for packing products. In other fields of industry, nitrogen (E941) is useful in suppressing the combustion processes and in creating protective environment in order to avoid oxidation. Medical nitrogen has various medical uses, especially in liquid form when it provides temperatures as low as -196° C. Applications of medical nitrogen in the healthcare environment may include the following: * In cryopreservation for the long-term preservation of blood, blood components, other cells, body fluids or tissue samples. * In cryosurgery for minor surgical procedures in dermatology. * As a component in many gas mixtures. * As a displacement medium for sterile equipment, a non-oxidising displacement medium in pharmaceutical vials and as a propellant in pressurised aerosol dispensers. * As a source of pneumatic pressure to power gas-operated medical devices. * As a coolant for carbon dioxide surgical lasers. — NCATS