EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Saprotrophic microscopic fungi are sometimes called saprobes; saprotrophic plants or bacterial flora are called saprophytes (sapro-‘rotten material’ +-phyte ‘plant’), although it is now believed that all plants previously thought to be saprotrophic are in fact parasites of microscopic fungi or other plants.

Detailed explanation-2: -Saprobes are the group of fungi that act as decomposers, feeding on dead and decaying wood, leaves, litter, and other organic matter. To digest this they secrete enzymes that break it down. This releases and recycles vital nutrients for other organisms, and helps dispose of organic waste.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -Plants that obtain the food from dead and decaying bodies of other organisms are called saprophytic plants e.g. Yeast and mushrooms.

Detailed explanation-5: -Saprobic fungi are decomposers. They break down dead organic matter in order to make energy. Parasitic fungi take their energy from other living organisms and often cause diseases for their hosts, including humans, as a result.