What is the major product of the nitrogenase complex's activity?

The nitrogenase complex is crucial for the process of nitrogen fixation, which converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a more reactive form that can be utilized by living organisms. The primary function of nitrogenase is to reduce N2 to ammonia (NH3), which can then be protonated to form ammonium ions (NH4+).

The reaction catalyzed by nitrogenase is complex, involving the breaking of the strong triple bond of nitrogen gas and ultimately leading to the incorporation of nitrogen into biological systems as ammonium. Ammonium (NH4+) serves as a vital building block for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleotides, making it essential for life.

In this context, while other nitrogen species such as nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) are involved in nitrogen metabolism and can be formed in different biological or environmental processes, they are not the direct products of the nitrogenase complex's primary enzymatic activity. Thus, the major product of the nitrogenase complex's activity is indeed ammonium (NH4+), reflecting its role in transforming inert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for biological organisms.