2010 PSLE Science

[atutor2001]

RainyDay:

the kiasu student:

[quote=\"Polar bear\"]Thanks.

One of my suggestions for the decomposition question was to put the jar in a dark room and my reason was that it would allow more decomposers to come into the jar, thus speeding up decomposition.

Can someone tell me if this is acceptable

You are half right and half wrong. I also said that should put it in a dark place, but not to attract decomposers nor allowing more of them go into the jar. This will reduce the rate of evaporation of the moisture from the moist leaves, hence more moisture is kept, as decomposers need water to decompose dead organisms, this would speed up decomposition.

I don't really know whether this is correct or not but i decide to play safe by not putting that the dark is a factor in resulting the speed of the decomposition.[/quote]I do not know what is the question. However, it appears to do with how to increase the rate of decomposition. In my opinion, the rate can be increased if :

1. We make it easier for decomposer to break down the dead organism into simple substances by :

(a) Cutting the dead organism into smaller pieces
(b) Introduce helper of decomposer to break down the dead organism into smaller pieces.

2. Increase the number of decomposer (I think this is what the question is asking)
(a) Expose the dead organism to more decomposer by not covering it.

(b) Provide conditions for the decomposer to multiply quickly :
(i) Temperature (Warm but not too hot)
(ii) Oxygen
(iii) Moisture
(I don't remember that light is a critical factor. Light may cause overheating that cause the dead organism to dry up)

[cynnedcynner]

Does anyone know the exact way that jungle survival related question is phrased?


thanks!