AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposers and detritivores break down dead plants and animals to release the energy back into the ecological system.

Detailed explanation-2: -More importantly, decomposers make vital nutrients available to an ecosystem’s primary producers-usually plants and algae.

Detailed explanation-3: -At each level, energy is lost directly as heat or in the form of waste and dead matter that go to the decomposers. Eventually, the decomposers metabolize the waste and dead matter, releasing their energy as heat also.

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: -Producers get energy by eating decomposers. Energy flows from the Sun to producers. Consumers get energy by eating producers.