Decomposer
Decomposer is a term used in the field of ecology to refer to organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so, carry out the natural process of decomposition. Decomposers are heterotrophic organisms, meaning they use organic substrates to get their energy, carbon and nutrients for growth and development. This includes bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates.
Role in Ecosystem[edit | edit source]
Decomposers play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They help in the recycling of nutrients by breaking down dead or decaying organisms. These nutrients are then returned to the soil, where they can be used by plants to grow. Without decomposers, these nutrients would remain locked up in the dead organisms, making them unavailable to other living organisms.
Types of Decomposers[edit | edit source]
There are two main types of decomposers: bacteria and fungi. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that reproduce by binary fission. They are found in every habitat on Earth, including soil, water, and even the human body. Fungi are multicellular organisms that reproduce by producing spores. They are found in many different habitats, including soil, water, and on the bodies of other organisms.
Bacteria[edit | edit source]
Bacteria are the most common type of decomposer. They are capable of breaking down a wide range of organic materials, including cellulose and lignin, which are difficult for many other organisms to digest. Some bacteria are also capable of fixing nitrogen, which is an important nutrient for plant growth.
Fungi[edit | edit source]
Fungi are another important group of decomposers. They are particularly good at breaking down complex organic materials, such as lignin and cellulose, which are found in the cell walls of plants. Fungi also play a crucial role in the decomposition of wood.
Decomposition Process[edit | edit source]
The decomposition process involves several stages. First, the organic material is broken down into smaller pieces by detritivores, such as earthworms and beetles. Next, the smaller pieces are further broken down by decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi. Finally, the decomposed material is returned to the soil, where it can be used by plants to grow.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Decomposer Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
