<em>In a typical nitrogen cycle, the nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia in a process known as </em><em>nitrogen fixation</em><em>. The ammonia is then converted into a usable form (nitrate or nitrite) for plants and other living organisms in a process known as </em><em>nitrification</em><em>. Nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere in a process known as </em><em>denitrification</em><em>. </em>
Hence, the correct words to fill the gaps would be nitrogen fixation and denitrification.