Chapter 13 Our Environment

NCERT Class 10th

Science SOLUTIONS

Subject
Question

Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?

Updated on May 31, 2025 | By Learnzy Admin | 👁️ Views: 356 students

Solution
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Substances are classified as biodegradable or non-biodegradable based on how they are broken down in nature.

Biodegradable Substances:

These are materials that can be broken down by natural processes, mainly by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
Examples: Food waste, paper, wood, cotton.
Reason:- These substances are made from natural materials that microorganisms can easily decompose into simpler, harmless substances.

Non-biodegradable Substances:

These are materials that cannot be broken down by natural processes or take a very long time to decompose.
Examples: Plastic, glass, synthetic fibers, metals.
Reason: -These substances are made from synthetic (man-made) materials or chemicals that microorganisms cannot break down easily. They remain in the environment for a long time and can cause pollution.

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More Questions on Our Environment

Question 1

Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being taken to limit this damage?


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Question 2

If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?


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Question 3

What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?


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Question 4

What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?


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Question 5

Will the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level be different for different trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed without causing any damage to the ecosystem?


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Question 6

What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?


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Question 7

Which of the following are environment-friendly practices? (a) Carrying cloth-bags to put purchases in while shopping (b) Switching off unnecessary lights and fans (c) Walking to school instead of getting your mother to drop you on her scooter (d) All of the above


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Question 8

Which of the following constitute a food-chain? (a) Grass, wheat and mango (b) Grass, goat and human (c) Goat, cow and elephant (d) Grass, fish and goat


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Question 9

Which of the following groups contain only biodegradable items? (a) Grass, flowers and leather (b) Grass, wood and plastic (c) Fruit-peels, cake and lime-juice (d) Cake, wood and grass


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Question 10

How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.


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Question 11

What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?


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Question 12

Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the environment.


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Question 13

Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.


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Question 14

What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?


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Question 15

What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.


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