Question

What are decomposers?
(a)Autotrophs
(b)Autoheterotrophs
(c)Organotrophs
(d)heterotrophs

Answer 1

Hint: A decomposer is an organism that decomposes or breaks down organic material, such as the remains of dead organisms. Decomposers are bacteria and fungi. They perform decomposition, a process that can only be done by some kingdoms, such as fungi.

Complete answer:
A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food through carbon fixation and instead receives its intake of nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, primarily plant or animal matter. Heterotrophs are secondary and tertiary users in the food chain.
Decomposers are heterotrophs that feed on the dead and rotting matter. More specifically, decomposers are saprotrophs, which decompose organic residues by secreting extracellular digestive enzymes. Decomposers are often referred to as reducers due to the degradation of organic residues. They are also known as mineralizers because they release minerals embedded in organic remains.

Additional Information: Autotrophs are species that can create their own food using inorganic source materials. The term "autotroph" is derived from the root words "auto" for "self" and "troph" for "food." An autotroph is an organism that feeds itself without the assistance of any other organism.
An organotroph is an organism that obtains hydrogen or electrons from organic substrates. This concept is used in microbiology to identify and describe species on the basis of how they receive electrons for their respiration processes. Some organotrophs, such as cattle and a lot of bacteria, are also heterotrophs.
So, the correct answer is ‘Heterotroph’.

Note: There are four distinct groups of heterotrophs, including herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers. Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores have a holozoic form of heterotrophic nutrition.