Question

Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable.

Answer 1

Definition:

• Biodegradable substances are degraded by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi.
• Non-biodegradable substances are not degraded by natural processes such as decomposition by microorganisms.

Differentiation between biodegradable and non-biodegradable:

• The biodegradable substances are usually natural or organic and easily broken down into harmless components
• The non-biodegradable substances are not removed from the environment for a long time as they are not broken down by biological processes. These are usually artificial or man-made substances.

Examples:

• Cotton or plant leaves are biodegradable because they can be broken down or decomposed by the bacteria or fungi present in the soil.
• Plastic or polythene bags or glass are not decomposed by the microorganisms, therefore, are non-biodegradable.