Question
‘In the absence of microorganisms the earth would become a heap of dead plants and animals. Justify this statement.
Answer
When a plant or animal dies, its remains are decomposed by microorganisms. Decomposition is the process through which all constituent materials of a living being are sent back to the environment. Had there been no microorganisms, dead remains of plants and animals would be keeping on accumulating all around us. So, it can be said that in the absence of microorganisms the earth would become a heap of dead plants and animals.