AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposers feed on dead things: dead plant materials such as leaf litter and wood, animal carcasses, and feces. They perform a valuable service as Earth’s cleanup crew. Without decomposers, dead leaves, dead insects, and dead animals would pile up everywhere.

Detailed explanation-2: -Decomposers are like the housekeepers of an ecosystem. Without them, dead plants and animals would keep piling up with the nutrients the soil needs trapped inside. Decomposers clean up the dead material by processing it and returning the nutrients to the soil for the producers.

Detailed explanation-3: -Breaking it down Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plants or animals into the substances that plants need for growth.

Detailed explanation-4: -Decomposers 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 passed to other organisms when they are eaten or consumed.

Detailed explanation-5: -Fungi, bacteria, earthworm and dung beetles feed on decaying matter and serve as decomposers.