Question 12
In the following groups of materials, which group(s) contains only non-biodegradable items?
(i) Wood, paper, leather
(ii) Polythene, detergent, PVC
(iii) Plastic, detergent, grass
(iv) Plastic, bakelite, DDT
(a) (iii)
(b) (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
Option (d) is correct.
Substances that cannot be broken down by biological processes in nature are non-biodegradable, for instance, polythene, detergent, PVC, plastics, Bakelite, DDT etc. On the other hand, substances that are broken down by biological processes are said to be biodegradable. E.g., wood, paper, leather, grass, animal bones etc.