Microbial Role in SCP & Soil — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptFind out the role of microbes in the following and discuss it with your teacher. (a) Single cell protein (SCP) (b) Soil
Which of the following statements are NOT correct concerning the significance and outcomes of microbial sewage treatment? S1: The primary goal of sewage treatment is to convert pathogenic microbes into non-pathogenic forms, making the water suitable for direct human consumption. S2: Biogas, generated during the anaerobic digestion of activated sludge, is a valuable byproduct that can be utilized as a fuel source. S3: The treated effluent, after secondary treatment, is typically discharged into natural water bodies, which helps in the replenishment of freshwater resources. S4: Microbial sewage treatment is limited in its capacity to handle the increasing urbanisation, and modern chemical technologies have largely replaced it due to higher efficiency. S5: Reduction in the polluting potential of wastewater is primarily measured by the increase in its Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) value.
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Correct answer: A — S1, S4, and S5
Microbial sewage treatment plays a crucial role in human welfare. S1: This statement is not correct. The primary goal of sewage treatment is to make the sewage *less polluting* before disposal into natural water bodies, not necessarily to make it suitable for direct human consumption. While pathogenic microbes are reduced, the effluent is generally released into natural water bodies. S2: This statement is correct. Biogas (methane, H2S, CO2) is produced during anaerobic digestion of activated sludge and can be used as fuel. S3: This statement is correct. Treated effluent is released into natural water bodies like rivers and streams, contributing to the water cycle and replenishment of freshwater resources. S4: This statement is not correct. NCERT states that 'Till date, no man-made technology has been able to rival the microbial treatment of sewage.' It also mentions that the number of STPs has not increased enough to treat large quantities of sewage, not that the technology itself is limited or replaced. S5: This statement is not correct. Reduction in the polluting potential is measured by a *decrease* in BOD, not an increase. A higher BOD indicates greater polluting potential. Therefore, statements S1, S4, and S5 are not correct. The tested concept is the accurate understanding of the purpose, byproducts, and efficiency of microbial sewage treatment.
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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.