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Biodegradable vs Non-Biodegradable Impact

Chapter 13 discusses the roles of trophic levels in food chains, the importance of decomposers in ecosystems, and the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances. It highlights the environmental impacts of both types of waste, the significance of the ozone layer, and the consequences of removing organisms from trophic levels. Additionally, it outlines methods for waste reduction and the importance of adhering to environmental protection measures.

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18 views4 pages

Biodegradable vs Non-Biodegradable Impact

Chapter 13 discusses the roles of trophic levels in food chains, the importance of decomposers in ecosystems, and the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances. It highlights the environmental impacts of both types of waste, the significance of the ozone layer, and the consequences of removing organisms from trophic levels. Additionally, it outlines methods for waste reduction and the importance of adhering to environmental protection measures.

Uploaded by

deepisaravana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CHAPTER 13 _ Our Environment

1.​ What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different
trophic levels in it.
Ans:
In the food chain, the transfer of food or energy takes place at various levels, and these levels
are known as trophic levels.
Example:
Grass → Goat → Man
In the food chain,
●​ Grass represents the first trophic level.
●​ The goat represents the second trophic level.
●​ Man represents the third trophic level.

[Link] is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem?


Ans:
The following are the roles of decomposers in the ecosystem:
●​ They act as a cleansing agent of the environment by decomposing dead plants and
animals.
●​ They help in recycling nutrients.
●​ They provide space for new beings in the biosphere by decomposing the dead.
●​ They help in putting back the various elements into water, soil and air for the reuse of
producers like crop plants.

3. Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?


Ans:
The reason why some substances are biodegradable and some are non-biodegradable is
because the microorganisms, like bacteria, and decomposers, like saprophytes, have a
specific role to play. They can break down only natural products like paper, wood, etc., but
they cannot break down human-made products like plastics. Based on this, some substances
are biodegradable and some are non-biodegradable.

4. Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Ans:
The following are the ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment:
●​ They keep the environment clean as they are easily decomposed.
●​ They can easily go through the geochemical cycle with the help of decomposers.

5. Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the
environment.
Ans:
The following are the ways in which non-biodegradable substances would affect the
environment:
●​ They cause air, soil and water pollution.
●​ They may cause bio-magnification in the food chain resulting in the end of humans.
6. What is ozone and how does it affect any ecosystem?
Ans:
Ozone is a molecule formed by the three atoms of oxygen and is known as an isotope of
oxygen. The main function of the ozone layer is to provide protection to the earth’s surface
from the harmful UV rays of the sun. These rays are harmful to living organisms and may
result in skin cancer.

7. How can you help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two methods.
Ans:
The following are the ways to reduce the problem of waste disposal:
●​ 3 Rs: By following the 3 Rs, one can reduce the problem of waste disposal. The 3 Rs
are reduce, recycle and reuse. Reducing the usage of private vehicles and opting for
public transport can reduce air pollution. Recycling and reusing plastics is also a way
to reduce waste disposal.
●​ Preparation of compost: All biodegradable wastes, like kitchen waste, can be dumped
in the compost.

BOOK QUESTION:

1.​ 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

Ans:
a) Grass, flowers and leather
c) Fruit peels, cake and lime juice
d) Cake, wood and grass

2.​ 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
Ans:
b. Grass, goat and human
Here, the grass is the producer, the goat is the primary consumer, and the human is the
secondary consumer.

3.​ 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
Ans:
d) All of the above
4.​ What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
Ans:
If we kill all the organisms in one trophic level, the food supply to the next level will
stop, resulting in an imbalance of the ecosystem. As a result, animals in the higher
levels will die, making the growth of animals in the lower trophic level increase in an
enormous way. All of this will affect the overall balance in the ecosystem.

5.​ Will the impact of removing all the organisms in the trophic level be different for
different trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic level be removed
without causing any damage to the ecosystem?
Ans:
Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in a trophic level will be different for
different trophic levels. For example, if all the producers are removed, there is a
chance of death or migration of the primary consumers, which will upset the trophic
levels. This is the same for all levels. Therefore, the removal of organisms at any level
would upset the whole ecosystem as the food chain is disturbed. The survival of the
higher-level animals is completely dependent on the animals at the lower levels.

6.​ What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be


different at different levels of the ecosystem?
Ans:
Biological magnification can be defined as the progressive increase in the
concentration of non-biodegradable wastes in the food chain. As there is an increase
in the magnification at the successive trophic levels of the ecosystems, all the other
levels do get affected, and the concentration may vary when compared to the first
level.

7.​ What are the problems caused by the non-biodegradable wastes that we
generate?
Ans:
The following are the problems caused by non-biodegradable wastes:
●​ These substances cannot be decomposed by microorganisms.
●​ As the quantity increases, dumping becomes a problem.
●​ Non-biodegradable wastes, like heavy metals, may enter the food chain at the upper
trophic levels.
●​ They may escape to the groundwater, which causes soil infertility and disturbance in
the pH of the soil.

8.​ If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the
environment?
Ans:
Biodegradable wastes are decomposed by the microorganisms into simpler substances
which can be used by the producers as raw materials. But the following are the effects
of too many biodegradable wastes:
●​ As the decomposition of biodegradable wastes is slow, they produce an awful smell,
and when inhaled by humans, it can be harmful.
●​ The dumping areas can be a place where harmful organisms may start to breed, which
can be harmful to humans as well as plants and animals.
●​ An increase in the number of aquatic organisms may result in the depletion of oxygen.
9.​ Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for concern? What steps are being
taken to limit this damage?
Ans:
The ozone layer is a protective cover for the earth. It prevents harmful UV rays from
entering the earth as these rays are harmful and can result in skin cancer. But, air
pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the main reason for the depletion of
the ozone layer. Too much of UV rays are harmful to plants as they affect
photosynthesis and destroy planktons and decomposers. These are the reasons why
the damage to the ozone layer is a cause of concern.
As a step to limit this, many developing and developed countries have signed and are
obeying the directions of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) to freeze
or limit the production and usage of CFCs.

Common questions

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Biodegradable substances can be broken down by natural decomposers, maintaining environmental cleanliness and cycling nutrients. In contrast, non-biodegradable substances persist and accumulate, causing pollution and health issues due to biological magnification. Effective waste management and promotion of biodegradable materials are essential to mitigating these impacts .

Education plays a critical role by raising awareness about the issues associated with non-biodegradable wastes. Teaching the importance of recycling, promoting eco-friendly products, and informing about the consequences of waste accumulation can empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions and adopt sustainable practices that reduce environmental harm .

Non-biodegradable substances cannot be decomposed by microorganisms, leading to issues such as pollution and biological magnification. They cause air, soil, and water pollution and can disturb ecosystems by entering food chains at higher trophic levels. Solutions include promoting reduce, reuse, and recycle practices and transitioning to biodegradable alternatives to minimize the environmental impact .

Biological magnification refers to the progressive increase in concentration of non-biodegradable substances as they move through the food chain. This results in higher levels of toxins at higher trophic levels, affecting organisms at these levels more severely. Consequently, it can lead to health issues and disruptions within ecosystems, as toxic substances accumulate .

Trophic levels represent the position an organism occupies in a food chain, primarily defined as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. If all organisms from one trophic level were removed, the food supply for the next level would stop, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. For instance, if all producers are removed, primary consumers would face death or migration due to a lack of food, thus disturbing higher trophic levels and the entire ecosystem .

Individuals and communities can adopt the 3 Rs: reduce, recycle, and reuse. For instance, using public transport reduces air pollution, and creating compost from kitchen waste biologically recycles nutrients. Fostering local recycling initiatives and composting not only reduces waste but also supports environmental sustainability .

The ozone layer acts as a protective barrier, absorbing harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer in living organisms and affect plant photosynthesis. Its depletion, primarily due to CFCs, leads to increased UV exposure, harming ecosystems. Steps to mitigate depletion include international agreements like those under UNEP to limit CFC production and usage .

Environmental policies and international agreements, like those enacted by UNEP, can regulate and limit the production of harmful substances, such as CFCs, thereby protecting the ozone layer. They foster global cooperation, set enforceable standards, and encourage countries to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring long-term ecosystem protection .

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, which supports producers like plants. They cleanse the environment by decomposing dead plants and animals, and they facilitate the geochemical cycle by decomposing organic waste into elements that can be reused by producers . Their absence would disrupt nutrient cycling, leading to accumulation of waste and potential ecosystem collapse.

While biodegradable waste is decomposed into simpler substances that enrich soil, excessive accumulation can produce a foul smell and foster breeding grounds for harmful organisms. It can also lead to oxygen depletion in aquatic environments. Thus, managing biodegradable waste effectively is essential to harness its benefits while minimizing its drawbacks .

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