Give any two ways in which biodegradable substances would affect the environment.
Biodegradable substances affect the environment in the following two ways:
First, biodegradable substances are broken down by biological processes. This means they decompose naturally and do not accumulate or persist in the environment for extended periods of time.
Second, unlike non-biodegradable substances which persist in the environment for a long time or harm the various members of the eco-system, biodegradable substances are processed naturally. They do not remain indefinitely in the environment and are less likely to cause harm to the various members of the ecosystem.
Explanation
This question tests the student's understanding of how biodegradable substances interact with the environment. The textbook context defines biodegradable substances as those 'broken down by biological processes' and contrasts them with non-biodegradable substances which 'persist in the environment for a long time or may harm the various members of the eco-system.' Students should derive the positive environmental impact of biodegradable substances from this comparison - they decompose naturally and do not persist or cause long-term harm like non-biodegradable substances.