Question

What are decomposers? Explain how the decomposers (i) keep the environment clean, and also (ii) replenish the soil nutrients.

Answer 1

Decomposers: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter (plants and animals). They are essential for nutrient cycling. Examples include bacteria and fungi.

(i) Keeping the environment clean: Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste materials, preventing the accumulation of organic matter and thus keeping the environment clean. Without decomposers, dead matter would pile up, creating unsanitary and unhealthy conditions.

(ii) Replenishing soil nutrients: During decomposition, decomposers release nutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) back into the soil. These nutrients are then taken up by plants, completing the nutrient cycle and making them available for other organisms.