NEET 2013 Biology question

Which one of the following processes during decomposition is correctly described ?

(1)Fragmentation - Carried out by organisms such as earthwormCorrect
(2)Humification - Leads to the accumulation of a dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at a very fast rate
(3)Catabolism - Last step in the decomposition under fully anaerobic condition
(4)Leaching - Water soluble inorganic nutrients rise to the top layers of soil

Answer: (1)

Solution

Fragmentation is the breakdown of detritus (dead plant and animal remains) into smaller particles by detritivores such as earthworms - this is correctly described in (1). (2) is wrong: humus is a dark amorphous substance that is highly resistant to microbial action and decomposes at an extremely slow rate. (3) is

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Question ID VK-091471