EVERYDAY SCIENCE

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: -Bacteria break down (or decompose) dead organisms, animal waste, and plant litter to obtain nutrients.

Detailed explanation-3: -Decomposers (fungi, bacteria, invertebrates such as worms and insects) have the ability to break down dead organisms into smaller particles and create new compounds.

Detailed explanation-4: -Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens are examples of decomposer bacteria.

Detailed explanation-5: -Decomposers act on the dead matter, e.g. by secreting the enzymes and digesting the matter externally. Saprotrophs contribute to the decomposition process by extracellular digestion, i.e., they digest dead matter externally by secreting enzymes and then absorbing the nutrients.