NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Detritivores are a type of decomposer, even though the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. True decomposers such as bacteria or fungi absorb nutrients through their bodies. In contrast, detritivores eat nutrients through their mouths.

Detailed explanation-2: -Detritivores: are a special kind of decomposer that eats dead or decaying organisms. Detritivores (detrit = wear down into bits, vore = to eat; have mouths and eat dead bits of plants and animals. All detritivores are decomposers because they both consume dead organisms.

Detailed explanation-3: -A detritivore is a heterotrophic organism, which obtains its nutrition by feeding on detritus. Detritus is the organic matter made up of dead plant and animal material. Detritivores may also obtain nutrition by coprophagy, which is a feeding strategy involving the consumption of feces.

Detailed explanation-4: -The two main groups of decomposers are fungi and detritivores. Therefore, detritivores are a type of decomposer. Detritivores are different from other decomposers in that they consume material to break it down. Decomposers like bacteria and fungi don’t eat their food, they decompose it externally.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most decomposers are microscopic organisms, including protozoa and bacteria. Other decomposers are big enough to see without a microscope. They include fungi along with invertebrate organisms sometimes called detritivores, which include earthworms, termites, and millipedes.