Decomposers - biotic components, Biology

Assignment Help:

Decomposers - Biotic Components

Also known as saprotrophs. Mostly, these are microscopic and are heterotrophic in nature. Decomposer organisms obtain their energy and nutrients by degrading dead organic matter. When plants and animals die, their bodies are still a source of energy and nutrients, as are their waste products such as urine and faces which they discard throughout their life times. These organic remains are decomposed by micro-organisms, namely fungi and bacteria which grow saprophytically on these remains. They secrete digestive enzymes from their bodies on the dead and wasted materials.

sub sequently absorbing the products of digestion. The rate of digestion is variable. The organic matter of animal wastes such as urine, faeces and corpses is consumed within a matter of weeks whereas fallen leaves and branches may take years to decomposes. During the decomposition of wood fungi act and produce an enzyme cellulase, that softens the wood. This enables the small animals to penetrate and ingest the material. Fragments of decomposing material are called detritus, and many small animals Iced on these, contributing to the process of breakdown. They are called detritivores. Because of the combined activities of the true decomposers (fungi .and bacteria) and detritivores (animals), in the breakdown (decomposition) of materials, they are sometimes collectively referred to as decomposers. Although, strictly the term decomposer relates to saprophytic organisms, Some typical terrestrial detritivores are: earthworm, woodlice, millipedes and other smaller (< 0.5 mm) animals such as mites, springtail and nematodes.


Related Discussions:- Decomposers - biotic components

Diastolic heart failure, Unfortunately, unlike heart failure due to systoli...

Unfortunately, unlike heart failure due to systolic dysfunction, diastolic heart failure has been studied in few clinical trials, so there is little evidence to guide the care of p

Explain the types of double beam systems, Explain the types of double beam ...

Explain the types of double beam systems? Following are types of double beam systems: a) Dual beam in space type b) Dual beam in time type In type (a) separate detecto

What are the main human degenerative diseases, Q. What are the main human d...

Q. What are the main human degenerative diseases? The major human degenerative diseases are divided into three groups, neoplastic diseases and degenerative diseases of the nerv

Nutrition, what is non conventional feed

what is non conventional feed

Ripening bananas, you tested three different treatments for ripening banana...

you tested three different treatments for ripening bananas. Before you did the lab, which one did you think would have ripened most? State your hypothesis and explain your reason

Explain yellow fever, Yellow Fever  Yellow fever vaccine, a single-dose...

Yellow Fever  Yellow fever vaccine, a single-dose attenuated live virus vaccine prepared in eggs, should be given at least 10 days before travel to endemic areas, which include

Prevention and control of shigella food borne infection, Prevention and Con...

Prevention and Control of Shigella food borne infection The control of  Shigella food borne infection is similar to that of salmonellae; avoiding contamination of foods by ani

Skin, physiology of skin

physiology of skin

Nucellus - seed, Nucellus - Seed In a large majority of flowering plan...

Nucellus - Seed In a large majority of flowering plants the nucellus is gradually utilized by the endosperm or embryo. In leguminous seeds, for example, the nucellus degenerat

What is the type of digestion that occurs in cnidarians, What is the type o...

What is the type of digestion that occurs in cnidarians? These animals have a digestive cavity and they make intracellular and extracellular digestion. The extracellular digest

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd