NEETBotanyEcosystem
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): During catabolism, bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances. Reason (R): Detritivores like earthworms secrete these enzymes to perform the chemical breakdown of detritus. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options
Options
- ABoth Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
- BBoth Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
- CAssertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
- DAssertion is incorrect but Reason is correct
Correct answer
C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is correct because bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances through the process known as catabolism. Reason (R) is incorrect because detritivores (like earthworms) perform fragmentation, which is the physical breakdown of detritus into smaller particles. They do not secrete the bacterial and fungal enzymes responsible for chemical breakdown (catabolism). Answer: Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect