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🔬 Biology  ·  Microbes in Human Welfare  ·  NEET

Biofertilizers differ from chemical fertilizers in what fundamental way?

Answer: Biofertilizers use living microorganisms to enrich soil nutrients naturally.

  • A Biofertilizers contain synthetic nitrogen compounds manufactured industrially
  • B Biofertilizers use living microorganisms to enrich soil nutrients naturally
  • C Biofertilizers act considerably faster than conventional chemical fertilizers
  • D Biofertilizers are effective exclusively within tropical soil conditions

Correct answer: B. Biofertilizers use living microorganisms to enrich soil nutrients naturally

Explanation: Biofertilizers contain living microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria) that naturally fix nitrogen or solubilize nutrients, unlike chemical fertilizers which are synthetic inorganic compounds.

Sewage Treatment FlowPrimaryphysical filtering+ sedimentationSecondary (aerobic)aeration tank, flocsconsume organic matterActivated sludgesettles out;part reused as inoculumSludge digesterANAEROBIC →biogas (CH₄)Note the switch: aerobic microbes in the tank, anaerobic microbes in the digester

Sewage passes through physical removal (primary), then aerobic biological treatment where microbes form flocs that consume organic matter (secondary); the settled activated sludge is then digested anaerobically to produce biogas - a deliberate switch from aerobic to anaerobic conditions between stages.

Concept context

Microorganisms in food, medicine, sewage treatment, biocontrol, and biofertilizers

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