Question

Decomposers are organisms that
A) Elaborate chemical substances, causing death of tissues
B) Operate in living body and simplifying organic substance of cells step by step
C) Attack and kill plants as well as animals
D) Operate in relay terms, simplifying step by step the organic constituents of dead body

Answer 1

Decomposers recycle the nutrients back into the environment (soil) which are then utilized by the producers. They generally are involved in decomposition of dead and decaying matter.

Complete answer:
Let us take a look at the options individually,

Option A: Decomposers are organisms which act only on dead animal and plant tissue and release the nutrients from them into the soil so that they can be recycled. They are directly not involved in the death of the tissues on the release of chemicals. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option B: The main feature of a decomposer is acting on dead or decaying plants and animals and not living ones. It does not fit with the criteria in the option and therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option C: This is a very vague option and is not involved in the direct killing of plants and animals.Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option D: Decomposers are organisms that break down organic material from dead plants and animals and release the nutrients in the soil to ensure the balance of the nutrient cycle. These nutrients then fertilize the soil for new plants to grow and proceed with photosynthesis. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: The dead matter the decomposers eat is called ‘detritus’. Worms, fungi and bacteria are all different examples and are vital in the ecosystem to sustain life otherwise the waste material would just keep piling up.