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Which of the following factors would generally lead to a faster rate of decomposition?
According to the NCERT, 'Warm and moist environment favour decomposition whereas low temperature and anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition'. Also, 'decomposition rate is slower if detritus is rich in lignin and chitin'.
Earthworms are considered 'farmer's friends' because they contribute significantly to decomposition by:
The NCERT mentions, 'You may have heard of the earthworm being referred to as the farmer’s ‘friend’. This is so because they help in the breakdown of complex organic matter as well as in loosening of the soil.' This corresponds to fragmentation.
Decomposition is a crucial ecological process. Which statement best summarizes its overall outcome?
The NCERT clearly states, 'decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called decomposition.'
In the process of leaching, water-soluble inorganic nutrients move into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts. This step primarily prevents:
Leaching causes nutrients to 'get precipitated as unavailable salts', meaning they are not immediately available for uptake. While eventually they might become available, this step renders them temporarily inaccessible.
Which of the following is NOT an important step in the process of decomposition?
The NCERT lists 'fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation' as important steps in decomposition. Photosynthesis is a process of primary production, not decomposition.
The rate of decomposition is significantly influenced by the chemical composition of detritus. Which of these combinations would lead to the slowest decomposition rate?
The NCERT states, 'decomposition rate is slower if detritus is rich in lignin and chitin, and quicker, if detritus is rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances like sugars.'
Decomposition is largely an oxygen-requiring process. This implies that:
The NCERT states, 'Decomposition is largely an oxygen -requiring process...low temperature and anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition resulting in build up of organic materials.' This means that without oxygen, organic materials accumulate because decomposition is slowed down.
In a pond ecosystem, which organisms are primarily responsible for decomposition?
The NCERT mentions, 'The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates especially abundant in the bottom of the pond.'
All the steps in decomposition (fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification, and mineralisation) operate simultaneously on the detritus. This highlights the concept of decomposition as a:
The NCERT states, 'It is important to note that all the above steps in decomposition operate simultaneously on the detritus'. This indicates a complex and integrated process rather than a strictly sequential or independent one.
What is the primary role of detritivores, such as earthworms, in the decomposition process?
The NCERT explains, 'Detritivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation.'
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