You are weeding your garden when you accidentally expose some roots of your pea plants. You notice swellings (root nodules) on the roots, and there is a reddish tinge to the ones you accidentally damaged. Most likely your pea plants ________.

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The presence of root nodules and a reddish tinge on damaged roots suggest that the pea plants are benefiting from a mutualistic bacterium called Rhizobium. These bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with pea plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the plants can use for growth, in exchange for carbohydrates produced by the plants. This mutualistic relationship results in the formation of root nodules, which are specialized organs that provide a suitable environment for the bacteria to live and carry out nitrogen fixation.

You Are Weeding Your Garden When You Accidentally Expose Some