Decomposers are the organisms that eat, digest and break down once living things which have died. They are absolutely essential in the nutrient cycles. Did you know Fungi are considered the main decomposers of litter or wastes in various ecosystems? The growth of fungi can be seen by finding the presence of hyphae. The larger pieces of organic matter is easier to break down by fungi because they can use their hyphae. Due to the characteristics of fungi, these organisms are considered the main decomposers for the larger pieces of organic matter in forests. The decomposing process of fungi occurs by breaking down the decaying or dead material using released enzymes from the tips of the hyphae. Then the fungi will get the nutrients from the material by way of absorption. Another decomposer is bacteria, it can be found everywhere. They live in the water, in the air and on land. Bacteria are prokaryotic, which means they don't have a nucleus or a mitochondrea like other single-celled organisms. Bacteria are among the smallest forms of life on Earth. In fact, you may have up to 100 million bacteria in your body right now! Some bacteria are harmful and cause diseases like typhoid and cholera. Other bacteria are helpful. Bacteria eat animals and fungi eat plants and woody things. Of course there is a possibility that an animal will grow mold as its body is being decomposed, but it's the bacteria that begin right away to decompose an animal. Watch mold decompose this peach: Mold on a pineapple: Microorganisms are cool and gross at the same time. We need them, and they need us!
20 Comments
jenna
5/16/2017 03:23:25 pm
that pineapple looks discusting
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Zane
5/16/2017 03:45:47 pm
DAts cool.......
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Deja
5/16/2017 03:52:42 pm
ya that is pretty cool
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leila
5/16/2017 03:53:31 pm
:) thats cool
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Katelyn Ashton
5/16/2017 06:31:19 pm
The pineapple looks so cool
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Sofia
5/16/2017 08:53:45 pm
Ugh........ Without decomposers, so many things would be moldy
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Kylie
5/16/2017 09:26:20 pm
The pineapple looks just.... Just....ugh........we
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Eleda bryan
5/16/2017 09:29:08 pm
Lala
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Tabitha
5/17/2017 06:46:16 am
Wow,the peaches skin lasted for a while.
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Haley
5/17/2017 07:13:47 am
It is gross to watch the fruit decompose!
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sinjin
5/17/2017 07:30:19 am
thats so cool
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Zaya
5/17/2017 07:32:06 am
The fruit molding is nasty
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Paige
5/17/2017 07:35:40 am
Ewww that pineapple and peach look gross!!
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Stephanie
5/17/2017 07:38:24 am
I like the molding fruit at the end. It's nice to know bacteria will decompose me after I die.. not really
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Bob
11/7/2017 04:45:10 pm
Can some one please tell me if a pineapple is a decomposer
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Tina
11/8/2017 11:21:01 pm
Ummmm yassss bob
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Bob
10/3/2018 06:10:48 am
Oof thats nasty but cool! :)
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Becky
10/3/2018 06:18:34 am
im about to eat that pineapple
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |