Nitrates - GCSE Biology Definition

Nitrates are chemical compounds that contain nitrogen and oxygen, and they are essential nutrients for plant growth. In GCSE Biology, you learn that plants absorb nitrates from the soil through their roots, and use them to make amino acids and proteins needed for growth and repair. Farmers often add nitrates to the soil as fertilisers to increase crop yields. However, excess nitrates can wash into rivers and lakes, causing water pollution and harming aquatic ecosystems.