BRAINCAKEDecomposers
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organisms, faeces and other waste, releasing inorganic nutrients back into the environment. The main decomposers are bacteria and fungi.
Decomposers are saprotrophs (saprobionts). They feed by extracellular digestion:
1. They secrete enzymes onto the dead organic matter.
2. The enzymes hydrolyse large molecules, such as proteins, cellulose and nucleic acids, into small soluble molecules.
3. The decomposer absorbs these small molecules and uses them in respiration and to build its own cells.
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All 21 lessons in Ecosystems · All OCR A-level Biology topics