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

Explain glucocorticoids, Explain Glucocorticoids The adrenal cortex se...

Explain Glucocorticoids The adrenal cortex secretes the glucocorticoids which  increase gluconeogenesis by increasing hepatic intake of amino acids accompanied by increased ac

Pomology, Pomology :  This is the study of fruits and fruit yielding plants...

Pomology :  This is the study of fruits and fruit yielding plants of commercial importance.  Pomology is a branch of botany which studies or cultivates pome fruit, and particularly

Cells, List structures found in unicellular organisms that are an adaptatio...

List structures found in unicellular organisms that are an adaptation to their free-living life and are not usually found in the cells of multicellular organisms.

Cell biology, what is the role of cholesterol in membrane fluidity?

what is the role of cholesterol in membrane fluidity?

Explain enzyme inhibition, ENZYME INHIBITION Enzymes are often inhibite...

ENZYME INHIBITION Enzymes are often inhibited by  the presence of  suitable inhibitors. Much of current drug therapy  is based  on this. Basically, there  are  three major  cla

Determine the importance of the extraoral, Determine the Importance of the ...

Determine the Importance of the extraoral Importance of the extraoral photographs cannot be overemphasized for implants in the esthetic zone as the amount of visibility of tee

Explain about the manganese - micro minerals, Normal 0 false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE

Screening dna libraries, Genomic  libraries  are  screened  by  hybridizati...

Genomic  libraries  are  screened  by  hybridization with  a  DNA probe which is complementary  to component of the nucleotide  sequence  of the desired gene. The problem should be

Accessory food substances or vitamins, Q. Accessory Food Substances or Vita...

Q. Accessory Food Substances or Vitamins ? Bacteria also vary in their need for vitamins or accessory growth factors. Some microorganisms are unable to synthesize some or all o

Termination of rna, Transcription   continues   until a termination   serie...

Transcription   continues   until a termination   series   is reached.   The most common termination signal is a GC-rich region which is a palindrome, followed by an AT-rich sequen

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