Organisms that consume waste products and dead organic material and constitute part of the food web, which also includes producers and consumers. Also called saprophytes. Decomposers liberate inorganic elements such as nitrogen and carbon and allow those elements to move back into their respective chemical cycles. Examples of decomposers are bacteria and fungi.

an organism that obtains energy from dead or waste organic matter. Bacteria and fungi are decomposers that usually secrete enzymes to digest the material and then ingest the smaller molecules that are released by the enzymes. When animals eat the flesh of dead animals, they are also functioning as decomposers.

Organism that digests parts of dead organisms and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms by breaking down the complex organic molecules in those materials into simpler inorganic compounds and then absorbing the soluble nutrients. Producers return most of these chemicals to the soil and water for reuse. Decomposers consist of various bacteria and fungi. Compare consumer, detritivore, producer.

Microorganisms that break down large organic molecules into smaller inorganic molecules.

an organism (bacteria or fungi) that lives on and breaks down dead organisms into useful things like minerals and rich soil

Organism that breaks down dead organic material to inorganic forms.

Any of various organisms (as with many bacteria and fungi) that return constituents of organic substances to ecological cycles by feeding on and breaking down dead protoplasm.

Organisms which get their food by eating dead plant or animal material or waste products.

Organism that feeds by breaking down tissues, dead bodies and waste products of organisms

an organism that breaks down organic matter into inorganic form. (e.g. Fungi and bacteria decompose dead organisms and wastes into elements that can be used by other organisms).

A type of detritivore that, in feeding on dead or cast-off organic material, breaks it down into its inorganic components, nutrients that can then be taken up by plants. Decomposers are all fungi or bacteria.

An organism that helps to break down dead plant material and turn it into soil. Earthworms, pill bugs, centipedes, bacteria, fungus, and mold are decomposers.

any of various organisms (such as many bacteria and fungi) that return organic substances to the soil by feeding on and breaking down dead matter What is an Ecosystem

an organism that breaks down dead organic material into inorganic forms

an organism that breaks down dead organicmaterial into inorganic forms, while a producer builds organicmaterials from inorganic substances

an organism that breaks down dead plant and animal matter

an organism that decomposes dead animals and plants (e

an organism that gets energy by breaking down dead plant or animal parts

a special category of consumer organism

An organism which consumes organic waste, reducing it to simple nutrients that can be used again by living things; decomposers include: moulds, insects, worms, and fungi.

bacteria that break down dead organic material.

decomposer like bacteria or fungi turns dead matter into food (nutrients) for producers (plants).

those organisms (bacteria, fungi) which convert dead organic materials into inorganic materials; a plant or animal that feeds on dead materials and causes its mechanical or chemical breakdown.

an organism that breaks down organic matter into simpler compounds and eventually into inorganic matter; examples include bacteria and fungi

an organism that feeds on the bodies of dead, rotting organisms and the waste of living organisms and converts the matter back into soil components that can then be used as nutrients by plants growing in the soil. Examples include bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects.

An organism that feeds on dead plant and animal matter, breaking it down for reuse by plants.

an organism (as a bacterium or a fungus) that lives on and breaks down dead organisms.

An organism (such as bacteria) that breaks down dead plants and animals into more basic elements, releasing nutrients.

An organism, often a bacterium or fungus, that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, thus making inorganic nutrients available to plants.

a member of an ecological community that relies energy and materials gained by breaking down the bodies of deceased members of that community.

An organism that breaks down the bodies or parts of dead plant or animal matter into smaller pieces ( decay). Decomposers, such as mushrooms, bacteria, and earthworms, are very important in food webs.

Heterotrophic microorganisms (usually bacteria and fungi) that break down nonliving organic matter and release nutrients, which are then available for reuse by autotrophs.

A consumer that obtains its energy from dead and decaying materials.

Organisms, such as fungi and bacteria that obtain carbon and energy from remains, products, or wastes of organisms. Collectively, decomposers help cycle nutrients to producers in ecosystems.

Any of various organisms (as many bacteria and fungi) that feed on and break down organic substances (such as dead plants and animals).

An organism that feeds on and breaks down organic substances.

An organism that break down the tissues of excretions of other organisms into simpler substances through the process of decay.

organisms such as fungi and bacteria that feed on dead material causing the chemical breakdown of the material

an organism that breaks down dead organisms into simpler substances

An animal or microbe that uses dead plants and animals as food.

organisms that breakdown organic material.

Organisms that break down organic compounds in dead remains and release their raw materials, such as carbon dioxide, back into the environment

A fungal or bacterial organism that obtains its nutrients and food energy by breaking down dead organic and fecal matter and absorbing some of its nutrient content.

An organism, such as a bacterium or fungus, that feeds on and breaks down parts of dead organisms and the waste products of living organisms.

a stream organism such as a bacterium or fungus which degrades dead organic matter

Organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients to its ecosystem (p.151-153).

An organism that obtains its energy from breaking down dead organic matter. A decomposer is often called a saprobe. Many fungi and bacteria are good examples.

An organism that breaks down the tissue and/or structures of dead organisms.

Bacteria or fungi that bring about the decay of organic material

Decomposers are organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down and then eat the remains of organisms.

microconsumers; e.g., bacteria and fungi.

organisms that break down dead plant and animal material; includes bacteria and fungi.

Decomposers are organisms like fungi and some bacteria that break down and digest the remains of organisms.