AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposers break apart complex organic materials into more elementary substances: water and carbon dioxide, plus simple compounds containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. All of these components are substances that plants need to grow.

Detailed explanation-2: -Nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere by the activity of organisms known as decomposers. Some bacteria are decomposers and break down the complex nitrogen compounds in dead organisms and animal wastes. This returns simple nitrogen compounds to the soil where they can be used by plants to produce more nitrates.

Detailed explanation-3: -Examples of decomposers are fungi and bacteria that obtain their nutrients from a dead plant or animal material. They break down the cells of dead organisms into simpler substances, which become organic nutrients available to the ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-4: -Decomposers or saprotrophs recycle dead plants and animals into chemical nutrients like carbon and nitrogen that are released back into the soil, air and water.

Detailed explanation-5: -Decomposers are involved in virtually all of the nutrient cycles on the planet. The plants in the consumer level rely on decomposers to break down dead organic material to release the nutrients and elements like carbon, oxygen and phosphorus back into the soil.