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Identify the correct statements:
A. Detritivores perform fragmentation
B. The humus is further degraded by some microbes during mineralization.
C. Water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil and get precipitated by a process called leaching.
D. The detritus food chain begins with living organisms.
E. Earthworms break down detritus into smaller particles by a process called catabolism.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A
D, E, A only
B
A, B, C only
C
B, C, D only
D
C, D, E only
Explanation
Detritivores fragment detritus, microbes mineralise humus, and leaching moves soluble nutrients down.
Detailed Solution
Detritus food chain (DFC) begins with detritus or dead organic matter. Detritivores (e.g. earthworm, millipedes, slugs) perform fragmentation process on dead decaying material in any ecosystem. Humus, a dark nutrient rich substance, is degraded by microorganisms releasing inorganic nutrients into the soil. This process is known as mineralisation. By the process of leaching, water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.