Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

The pit containing vegetable peels and spoilt food would show greater decomposition.

Reason: Vegetable peels and spoilt food are biodegradable substances. Bacteria, fungi, and other saprophytes (decomposers) produce enzymes that break these organic materials down into simpler substances over time.

Plastic wrappers and medicine strips are non-biodegradable. Specific enzymes needed to break down plastics are absent in microorganisms, so these materials are not acted upon by biological processes and persist in the environment unchanged for a long time.

Source: Our Environment, Section 13.2.2

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• The examiner expects you to name the correct pit and give a biological reason — both are needed for full marks.
• Key terms to use: biodegradable, non-biodegradable, decomposers/saprophytes, enzymes (enzyme specificity is the core concept from the passage).
• Avoid just saying "plastic doesn't decompose" — explain why (no specific enzymes in microbes to act on it).
• One mark each for: identifying correct pit, explaining biodegradable decomposition, explaining why plastic does not decompose.