Question

Which are important decomposers that cause decay and decomposition of dead bodies of plants and animals.
(a)Saprophytic bacteria
(b)Saprotrophic fungi
(c)Plants like Sarracenia
(d)Both (a) and (b)

Answer 1

Hint: Decomposers are also known as ‘Housekeeping organisms’. Decomposers can either be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic organism. Without them, the dead plants, animals, and other organic substances keep on accumulating on the soil and we will not get nutrients and energy.

Complete answer:
Decomposers or saprotrophs are animals (both bacteria and fungi) that feed themselves on dead and decaying substances like dead animals, woods, fallen leaves, etc. They convert organic substances into inorganic substances. Decomposers are heterotrophic and they play an important role in nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, and maintains the ecosystem.
Examples of decomposers are bacteria and Fungi.
Fungi:
-The role of fungi is to release nitrogen as well as phosphorus from the dead and decaying matter.
-Fungi possess some specialized enzymes (for example, lignin-digesting enzyme) and hyphae that will enable them to enter into the decaying wood present in the forest.
Bacteria:
-Bacteria act upon dead and decaying substances like leaves and play an important role in fixing the nitrogen to the soil. Example: Bacillus subtilis.
Role of decomposers in the forest:
-They will degrade the dead animals in the forest.
-The decomposers will release nutrients in the soil and it will be further utilized by the plants.
So, the correct answer is ‘Both (a) and (b)’.

Note: Detritivore and decomposers are often used in various contexts. But the basic difference between both is that the decomposers will absorb nutrients directly by the external physical as well as biological process. Whereas, the detritivores will ingest, digest, and then release the nutrients. The earthworm is an example of a detritivore.