* Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, but most organisms cannot use it directly. Only certain bacteria have the ability to "fix" nitrogen gas (N2) into usable forms like ammonia (NH3) or nitrates (NO3-).
* Plant Absorption: Plants absorb these usable forms of nitrogen from the soil, often through their roots.
* Animal Consumption: Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants or other animals that have consumed plants.
In summary: While plants play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by absorbing fixed nitrogen, animals rely on consuming plants or other animals to obtain their nitrogen.