Class 12 · Ecosystem

Humus Formation and Mineralization — NEET Biology

📚 Practice Concept
📖 NCERT Source

Being colloidal in nature it serves as a reservoir of nutrients. The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation.

NCERT Biology · Class 12 · Chapter 12 · Paragraph 15
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Assertion (A): Mineralisation is the final step in making nutrients available to plants. Reason (R): Mineralisation produces more humus that enriches the soil organic matter content.

📖 Solution & NCERT Explanation
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Correct answer: C If assertion is true but reason is false.

NCERT confirms mineralisation makes nutrients available (Assertion true). However, NCERT states “The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation.” The Reason falsely claims mineralisation produces more humus - it actually breaks down humus to release inorganic nutrients, the opposite of humus production.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does NCERT say about Being colloidal nature it?
Being colloidal in nature it serves as a reservoir of nutrients. The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation.
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Practice this NCERT concept with questions on MedicNEET.
Which chapter is this from?
Ecosystem, Class 12 NCERT Biology.

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.

176/180
of the ReNEET 2026 paper (all subjects) was already in the MedicNEET question bank

MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.

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