Fig. 1 shows a leaf immediately after falling from a growing plant. Fig. 2 shows a leaf from the same plant several months after falling from the plant onto the soil below. [Figure 1 shows a fresh leaf] [Figure 2 shows a decayed leaf skeleton]

1. (a)(i)Name the process that has taken place to cause the leaf in Fig. 2 to appear different from that in Fig. 1.[1]
2. (a)(ii)Explain how named types of microorganism have carried out this process.[5]
3. (b)Explain how the plant benefits from this process taking place in the large number of leaves that fall from the plant onto the soil below.[4]

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