AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposers play a critical role in the flow of energy through an ecosystem. They break apart dead organisms into simpler inorganic materials, making nutrients available to primary producers.

Detailed explanation-2: -Decomposers are made up of the FBI (fungi, bacteria and invertebrates-worms and insects). They are all living things that get energy by eating dead animals and plants and breaking down wastes of other animals.

Detailed explanation-3: -The organisms that carry out the process of decay or breakdown of the dead organism are known as decomposers and the process of breaking down complex organic matter into its simpler form is referred to as decomposition.

Detailed explanation-4: -Decomposers (Figure below) get nutrients and energy by breaking down dead organisms and animal wastes. Through this process, decomposers release nutrients, such as carbon and nitrogen, back into the environment. These nutrients are recycled back into the ecosystem so that the producers can use them.

Detailed explanation-5: -Decomposers are also called saptrotrophs. They show saprotrophic mode of nutrition i.e. they feed on dead and decaying matters. For example, bacteria, fungi, etc. Autotrophs are producers which include plants. Phagotrophs or heterotrophs are consumers who depend on plants and animals for their nutrition.