Humification and Mineralisation — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2026Match List I with List II — A. Decomposition, B. Detritus, C. Mineralisation, D. Humification.
Match List I with List II — A. Decomposition, B. Detritus, C. Mineralisation, D. Humification.
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
Decomposition breaks complex organic matter into inorganic substances; detritus is dead remains including faecal matter; mineralisation releases inorganic nutrients via soil microbes; humification accumulates dark, amorphous, colloidal humus.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
It is important to note that all the above steps in decomposition operate simultaneously on the detritus. Humification and mineralisation occur during decomposition in the soil. Humification leads
Humification and mineralisation are simultaneous processes during decomposition. Humification converts detritus into dark, colloidal humus that improves soil structure and water retention, while mineralisation releases inorganic nutrients (N, P, K) available for plant uptake. Students often confuse these processes—thinking humification releases nutrients (wrong) or that mineralisation doesn't require microorganisms (also wrong). Remember: humification builds complex organic matter; mineralisation breaks it down into simple inorganic forms. NTA tests this because it's fundamental to nutrient cycling and explains how dead organic matter becomes soil fertility. This ecosystem concept appears frequently in ecological productivity questions.
What does NCERT say about It important to note?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.