NEET-UG Biology · Class 12
Decomposition steps and what speeds them up — NEET & JEE Questions
Decomposition steps and what speeds them up is a topic in Ecosystem, a Class 12 Biology chapter of the NEET-UG syllabus. TestBudy holds 16 published NEET-UG questions on Decomposition steps and what speeds them up, each with the marking scheme of the real paper. The ideas it examines include Order of fragmentation, leaching and catabolism, Humification versus mineralisation, Why lignin-rich litter decomposes slowly.
- questions
- 16
- shown here
- 10
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Key formulas and concepts
The ideas Decomposition steps and what speeds them up is examined on, as they are tagged in the syllabus tree.
- Order of fragmentation, leaching and catabolism
- Humification versus mineralisation
- Why lignin-rich litter decomposes slowly
Decomposition steps and what speeds them up MCQs with solutions
10 of the 16 published questions on this topic, exactly as they appear in a test. Answers and worked solutions come with your result rather than on this page.
Breaking detritus into smaller particles by detritivores:
- A. leaching
- B. mineralisation
- C. humification
- D. fragmentation
Formation of a dark amorphous, resistant organic substance in soil:
- A. humification
- B. leaching
- C. mineralisation
- D. fragmentation
Loss of water-soluble inorganic nutrients from detritus into deeper soil layers:
- A. catabolism
- B. fragmentation
- C. humification
- D. leaching
Microbial enzymatic conversion of detritus into simpler substances:
- A. leaching
- B. fragmentation
- C. catabolism
- D. predation
Release of inorganic nutrients from organic matter:
- A. grazing
- B. fragmentation
- C. humification
- D. mineralisation
Which decomposition step converts detritus into smaller particles?
- A. Humification
- B. Fragmentation
- C. Mineralisation
- D. Photosynthesis
Fragmentation during decomposition refers to
- A. breaking detritus into smaller particles by detritivores
- B. conversion of inorganic nutrients into organic matter
- C. formation of new living biomass by photosynthesis
- D. release of minerals from humus only
Mineralisation is the process by which decomposers
- A. release inorganic nutrients from organic matter
- B. convert litter into larger fragments
- C. fix atmospheric carbon into glucose
- D. form only resistant humus
Fresh leaf litter is broken into small pieces by earthworms before extensive microbial decay. Which decomposition step is illustrated?
- A. Fragmentation
- B. Humification
- C. Mineralisation
- D. Leaching only
Water-soluble inorganic nutrients are washed downward from decomposing litter into deeper soil layers. This process is
- A. leaching
- B. fragmentation
- C. primary production
- D. grazing
Common mistakes in Decomposition steps and what speeds them up
Recorded against questions in this topic that are not shown above, so none of these points at an answer you can see on this page.
- Assuming decomposition rate is independent of environmental conditions.
- Assumes all decomposed organic matter is immediately mineralised.
- Assumes decomposition is independent of environmental conditions.
- Assumes all carbon-containing compounds decompose at the same rate.
- Assumes high moisture always accelerates decomposition regardless of oxygen availability.
- Considers one favourable factor such as moisture while ignoring oxygen, temperature and litter chemistry.
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