Tag: interdependence in living beings - plants and animals

In biology, transformers are the organisms that transform or convert one form of food into another. These organisms are comonly refrred to as decomposers. They convert dead organic matter into simpler inorganic molecules. Such animals include fungi, some bacteria, etc.

• Decomposer are feed on the decaying organic matter and convert this matter into nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
• Decomposers are the fungi and bacteria, which are the saprophytes.
  
• The saprophytes play a vital role in recycling the nutrients so that the producers i.e. plants can use them once again.
  

• Decomposers are organisms that break down the dead organic matter into carbon dioxide, water, minerals and other simple chemicals called inorganic substances.
• These inorganic substances are utilized by green plants. 
• Leaf litter, dead wood, animal carcasses and faeces are the organic matter present in the soil.
• So, the correct answer is 'Decomposers'.

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so they carry out the natural process of decomposition. Like herbivores and predators, decomposers are heterotrophic, meaning that they use organic substrates to get their energy, carbon and nutrients for growth and development. 

The food chain is comprised of different species which depend on each other for energy. The producers are which can prepare the food. The consumers feed on the producers. The dead plants and animals are degraded due to the microbial activity of the decomposers. The decomposers include the microbes which are involved in the breaking down of the organic complexes and recycling of the nutrients. They help in maintaining the continuous supply of the nutrients for the producers. 

Scavengers are organisms, that consume remains of other dead organisms or their waste products. The scavenger's role in the ecosystem is to prepare bodies for decomposition. They open up the bodies so that others can share the food. Scavengers include large animals. For example, crow and vulture. Many large carnivores, such as hyena and lion, which hunt regularly, will scavenge if given a chance. 

Biogeochemical cycle mainly involves the exchange of materials between biotic and abiotic components of the biosphere. The bio - genetic nutrients are essential elements required by organisms for their body building and metabolism which are provided by earth and returned to earth after the death of organisms and/or through excreta of animals. The decay of excreta and dead bodies of organisms is carried out be decomposers. The activity of decomposers releases the bio - genetic nutrients from excreta and dead bodies of organisms. Hence decomposition activity is most important part of biogeochemical cycles. Else all the nutrients will slowly become trapped in excreta and dead bodies of organisms.