Knowra Decomposer Decomposer A decomposer is an organism, usually a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down dead organisms and organic waste, releasing nutrients back into ecosystems.
Saprotrophic nutrition : A mode of nutrition in which organisms absorb dissolved nutrients from externally digested organic matter. Many decomposers secrete enzymes onto remains, then absorb the released molecules.
Detritus : Dead organic material, including fallen leaves, carcasses, and feces. It is the material decomposers consume and transform.
Composting : The managed biological decomposition of organic waste into a stable soil amendment. Composting harnesses decomposer activity to recycle food scraps and plant residues.
Carbon cycle : The movement of carbon among organisms, the atmosphere, oceans, and Earth’s crust. Decomposition returns organic carbon to soil and releases some as carbon dioxide.
Extracellular digestion : The breakdown of food outside an organism’s cells by secreted digestive enzymes. It lets fungi and bacteria digest large organic materials before uptake.
Detritivore : An animal that ingests dead organic matter and breaks it down internally. Detritivores fragment detritus; decomposers chemically digest and absorb it.
Sewage treatment : The physical, chemical, and biological processing of wastewater to reduce pollutants before release or reuse. Microbial decomposers consume organic pollutants in many treatment systems.
Soil organic carbon : Carbon contained in soil organic matter, including living biomass and decomposing residues. Decomposer activity helps determine how much organic carbon persists in soil.
Cellulase : An enzyme that breaks cellulose into smaller sugars. Cellulase helps decomposers access carbon stored in plant cell walls.
Food web : A network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem. Decomposers connect dead matter and waste to nutrient flows across the web.
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