Question

Distinguish between autotrophs and decomposers.

Answer 1

Hint: Trophic levels are the levels assigned to the organisms based on their positions in the food chains. In addition, all the food chains begin with autotrophs, as they produce food and all the food chains terminate at decomposers as they feed on the dead.

Complete answer:
Autotrophs :
The word Autotroph is made up of two words, Auto meaning self, and Troph meaning nutrient material. These are also known as producers, converters, or transducers. Autotrophs are green photosynthetic plants. They trap the solar energy of the sun using chlorophyll. Using this solar energy, the autotrophs synthesize organic food materials and inorganic raw materials. Due to this reason, they are known as autotrophs or self-nourishing organisms. Plants are known as autotrophs. In terrestrial ecosystems, the small herbaceous and woody plants are producers. On the other hand, in aquatic ecosystems phytoplankton, algae, marginal plants, submerged plants, floating plants, etc., are the producers. Producers convert the sun's solar energy into the chemical energy of organic molecules like ATP.
Decomposers:
They are also known as reducers. Decomposers are saprophytic microorganisms. They derive their food from the organic content of the dead remains of plants and animals. They secrete certain digestive enzymes that convert complex organic substances into simpler forms. Some of this digested food is assimilated by the organism and the rest is recycled into the environment. They are organisms like fungi and bacteria.

Note: Decomposers are further classified as scavengers, detritivores, and parasites. Scavengers are those animals that feed on the dead and the injured animals. They help in cleaning the environment. Detritivores are the animals that feed on the dead and decaying organic matter called detritus. Parasites decompose the host in which they are living.