12. (a) Decomposition is essential for the addition of nutrients to the soil - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 12 - 2009
Question 12
12.
(a) Decomposition is essential for the addition of nutrients to the soil. Explain the underlined term.
(i) Name two groups of micro-organisms in the soil which ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:12. (a) Decomposition is essential for the addition of nutrients to the soil - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 12 - 2009
Step 1
Explain the underlined term.
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Answer
Decomposition refers to the process by which organic matter breaks down into simpler organic or inorganic materials, returning essential nutrients to the soil. This process is vital for soil health, as it allows for the cycling of nutrients, making them available for plants.
Step 2
Name two groups of micro-organisms in the soil which are responsible for decomposition.
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Answer
Bacteria
Fungi
Step 3
Name the bacterial cell parts A, B and C.
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A = Cell Wall / Cell Membrane / Capsule
B = DNA / Chromosome / Genetic material
C = Flagella (allow tail)
Step 4
What is the function of C?
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C, the flagella, enables the bacterial cell to move, allowing it to swim toward nutrients or away from harmful substances.
Step 5
Name any two of the main bacterial types (shapes).
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Rod (Bacillus)
Spiral (Spirillum)
Step 6
By which method do bacterial cells reproduce?
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Bacterial cells reproduce by a method known as binary fission, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
Step 7
Some bacteria are anaerobic. What does this mean?
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Anaerobic bacteria are those that do not require oxygen for growth and can even be poisoned by its presence.
Step 8
What are pathogenic bacteria?
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Pathogenic bacteria are harmful microorganisms that can cause diseases in other living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants.
Step 9
Give two examples of the economic importance of bacteria.
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Bacteria are used in biotechnology for the production of antibiotics and vaccines.
They play a crucial role in food production, such as in the fermentation of yogurt and cheese.
Step 10
Explain why it is difficult to classify viruses as living organisms.
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Viruses are difficult to classify as living organisms because they do not exhibit characteristics of life, such as metabolic processes or the ability to reproduce independently. They require a host cell to replicate, and outside of a host, they exist as inert particles.
Step 11
Give the two main chemical components of a virus.
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Nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA)
Protein coat (capsid)
Step 12
Briefly describe how viruses reproduce.
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Viruses reproduce by infecting a host cell, utilizing the host's cellular machinery to replicate their nucleic acid and synthesize new viral proteins. Once assembled, new virions are released from the host, often killing it in the process.
Step 13
Give one way in which viruses are beneficial and one way in which they are harmful.
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Beneficial: Some viruses are used in gene therapy to deliver genetic material into cells to treat diseases. Harmful: Viruses can cause serious diseases such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, or COVID-19, affecting millions of people worldwide.
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