Knowee
Questions
Features
Study Tools

Organisms that eat dead and decaying plants and animals*1 pointare decomposershelp keep the Earth clean from waste piling upreturn nutrients from dead organic matter to the soilall of the above

Question

Organisms that eat dead and decaying plants and animals*1 pointare decomposershelp keep the Earth clean from waste piling upreturn nutrients from dead organic matter to the soilall of the above

🧐 Not the exact question you are looking for?Go ask a question

Solution

The correct answer is "all of the above".

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.

This process allows for the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem. By breaking down dead organic material, they prevent the Earth from being overrun by dead material. Therefore, they help keep the Earth clean from waste piling up.

So, decomposers not only eat dead and decaying plants and animals, but they also help keep the Earth clean from waste piling up and return nutrients from dead organic matter to the soil.

This problem has been solved

Similar Questions

Decomposers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem. If they weren't in the ecosystem, the plants would not get essential nutrients, dead matter and waste would pile up. So the nutrients in them are recycled back into the ecosystem to be used again. Bacteria are also key organisms at the decomposer level. Hence the natural replenishment of soil does not takes place if decomposers are absent.

When animals and plants die and decompose, what is put back into the soil?

What is an organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms called?

When animals and plants die and decompose, what is put back into the soil?NitritesNitrogen gasOxygenAmmonia

describe what decomposers and detritivores do that make them important in ecosystems.

1/3

Upgrade your grade with Knowee

Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.