DifferentiateEasy1 mark
4(b)
Differentiate between the following pairs on the basis of what is mentioned in the brackets:
Biodegradable waste and Non-biodegradable waste (One example)
Topic: Biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste
Previous-year question practice database
Answer
Exam answer
BIODEGRADABLE waste — example: FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PEEL (also leaves, paper, cow dung).
NON-BIODEGRADABLE waste — example: PLASTIC (also polythene, glass, metal cans, Styrofoam).
Explanation
The brackets ask for ONE EXAMPLE of each, so give one clearly rather than listing five.
THE TEST that sorts almost any such list: ask whether the substance was ever ALIVE, or came from something alive. Peel, leaves, paper and dung all were; plastic, glass and metal were not.
Note that paper often surprises students — it looks manufactured, but it comes from wood pulp and composts readily.
Comparison
| Point of difference | Biodegradable | Non-biodegradable |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Fruit and vegetable peel | Plastic |
| Decomposition | Broken down by bacteria and fungi | Cannot be broken down by decomposers |
| Fate | Returns to the nutrient cycle | Persists for decades or centuries |
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