What is Decomposer?
[[File:Fungi in Borneo.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[bracket fungus]] on this tree is a decomposer]] A '''decomposer''' is an [[organism]] that breaks down long chain [[polymer]]s from dead organisms into smaller [[molecules]].<ref>They may do the same job on living organisms, in which case other terms are used to describe them.</ref> Decomposers are [[bacteria]] and [[fungi]]. What they do is use the parts and energy to build up their own materials, which are also [[organic]]. Decomposers are [[heterotroph]]s. This means they use [[organic|organic substrates]] to get their [[energy]], [[carbon]] and [[nutrients]] for [[growth]] and [[development]]. Decomposers break down [[cells]] of other organisms using [[biochemical]] reactions without need for internal [[digestion]].<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2011. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Trophic_level?topic=58074 ''Trophic level''. Eds. M.McGinley & C.J.cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC]</ref> This is different from [[detritivore]]s, which actually digest dead organic matter. [[Decomposition]] also involves [[abiotic]] decomposition. This is breakdown by [[chemical]] processes, such as [[hydrolysis]], or physical processes, such as heat. This turns organic material into [[inorganic]] material, and so returns [[nutrients]] to the [[environment]]. ==Related pages== *[[Mushroom]]s *[[Microbe]]s *[[Ecosystem]]s *[[Producer]]s *[[Heterotroph|Consumers]] ==References== <references/> [[category:Ecology]]