AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Statement-1: Detritivores are the animals which feed on dead remains of plants and animals. Statement-2: Decomposers are the micro-organisms which secrete digestive enzymes over dead organic matter to convert it into simpler and soluble organic substances.

Detailed explanation-2: -– Decomposers are detritivores that break down organic matter into simpler compounds.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most decomposers are microscopic organisms, including protozoa and bacteria. Other decomposers are big enough to see without a microscope. They include fungi along with invertebrate organisms sometimes called detritivores, which include earthworms, termites, and millipedes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fungi decompose organic matter by releasing enzymes to break down the decaying material, after which they absorb the nutrients in the decaying material. Hyphae are used to break down matter and absorb nutrients and are also used in reproduction.

Detailed explanation-5: -They shred the dead plant matter which releases the trapped nutrients in the plant tissues. An abundance of detritivores in the soil allow the ecosystem to efficiently recycle nutrients. Detritivore feeding behaviour is affected by rainfall; moist soil increases detritivore feeding and excretion.