Decomposition
Decomposition: Overview
This topic consists of various concepts like Decomposers,Decomposition,Factors Affecting Decomposition, etc.
Important Questions on Decomposition

Identify the correct statement:
A. Detrivores perform fragmentation.
B. The humus is further degraded by some microbes during mineralisation.
C. Water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil and get precipitated by a process called leaching.
D. The detritus food chain begins with living organism.
E. Earthworms break down detritus into smaller particles by a process called catabolism.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement A: Humus is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at extremely fast rate.
Statement B: The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occurs by mineralisation.

Marshy areas often consist of hard outer coverings as detritus that are remains of organisms such as crabs. State TWO reasons why decomposition would be limited in such areas.

Differentiate between detritivore and decompoer with an example of each.


Identify the process in which water soluble inorganic nutrients are precipitated as unavailable salts

Which of the following is not a proper description of decomposition process?




Distinguish between the following-
Litter and Detritus

Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are
(i) Autotrophs
(ii) Heterotrophs
(iii) Saprotrophs
(iv) Chemo-autotrophs Choose the correct answer

Among biotic components, the micro consumers are called _____.

Which of the following factors favour faster decomposition of detritus?

What would happen if all the bacteria and fungi of the world are destroyed?

Choose the incorrect property with respect to characteristics of humus.

Analyse the following statements with respect to decomposition and select the correct option.
Statement 1: Decomposition is the physical and chemical breakdown of complex organic matter into simple inorganic substances.
Statement 2: Humification is the process of formation of humus from detritus or organic remains.

Read the below given statements with respect to three important steps of decomposition: fragmentation, leaching and catabolism. Select the correct option.
(i) Detritivores {e.g., earthworm) breakdown detritus into smaller particles.
(ii) Water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.
(iii) Decomposers (e.g., bacteria and fungi) secrete digestive enzymes and degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substance.
Leaching | Fragmentation | Catabolism | |
---|---|---|---|
(i) | (ii) | (iii) | |
(iii) | (ii) | (i) | |
(ii) | (i) | (iii) | |
(ii) | (iii) | (i) |

Which all statement(s) are true for reducers?
a. They are natural scavengers.
b. Replenish the soil naturally with minerals.
c. They are top carnivores.
