Decomposition in ecosystem - class-XI

Decomposition is the process that concerns breakdown of complex organic matter by decomposers to inorganic raw materials like carbon dioxide, water and various nutrients. Oxygen is required by aerobic bacteria for decomposition.

Decomposers are also called as reducers because they are able to remove or degrade the dead bodies of organisms and due to their small size they are known as microconsumers.

When organic materials decompose in the presence of oxygen, the process is called “aerobic.” The aerobic process is most common in nature. For example, it takes place on ground surfaces such as the forest floor, where droppings from trees and animals are converted into relatively stable humus. There is no accompanying bad smell when there is adequate oxygen present. In aerobic decomposition, living organisms, which use oxygen, feed upon the organic matter. They use the nitrogen, phosphorus, some of the carbon, and other required nutrients. Much of the carbon serves as a source of energy for the organisms and is burned up and respired as carbon dioxide. Since carbon serves both as a source of energy and as an element in the cell protoplasm, much more carbon than nitrogen is needed. Generally, about two-thirds of carbon is respired as $C0 _2$, while the other third is combined with nitrogen in the living cells. However, if the excess of carbon over nitrogen (C: N ratio) inorganic materials being decomposed is too great, biological activity diminishes. Several cycles of organisms are then required to burn most of the carbon. 

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so they carry out the natural process of decomposition. 

Micro-organisms dwell in soil. They contribute to various processes related to the soil, plants and atmosphere. One of the processes is decomposition of dead remains of plants and animals

When organic wastes such as leftover food, plant and animals waste is collected in heaps, decomposers such as bacteria, insects such as earthworms and fungi act on it and break it down. This product which is formed by this action of decomposers is called compost. This process is called composting and the compost can be used to increase the plant yield. Thus the correct answer is option D.

Decomposers feed on the dead or decaying organic matter(carbohydrate, proteins and lipids ) and produce nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases as an organic matter are mainly made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Decomposition is the biological process where organic matter is broken down, releasing inorganic nutrients back into the environment.

Mineralization is the specific stage of decomposition where microbial action converts organic nutrients into inorganic forms that plants can absorb.

Mineralisation is a process in which complex organic matter present in humus is converted into inorganic salts and ions. It is done by the action of saprophytic fungi.

Immobilization is the conversion of inorganic compounds to organic compounds by microorganisms or plants, by which it is prevented from being accessible to plants. Immobilization is the opposite of mineralization. Plants utilize minerals in inorganic form. Hence, immobilization helps in nutrient conservation.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. The decomposed organic matter is called as humus. Mineralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by earthworm. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores such as earthworm. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored substance humus on the soil. It undergoes microbial action at a slow rate. Mineralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Mineralization in the process of decomposition in which complex organic matter is oxidized into soluble inorganic ions and salts. It increases bioavailability of the nutrients as soluble inorganic form is readily available to plants. The process is carried out by soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

• Productivity is the rate of production of new biomass by an individual, population. 
• Productivity is a key source of economic growth and competitiveness.
•  A country's ability to improve its standard of living depends almost entirely on its ability to raise its output per worker, i.e., producing more goods and services for a given number of hours of work.
•  Hence, The ability to produce the organic compound in unit time is Productivity.
• So, the correct answer is 'Productivity'.

If the breakdown of the detritus by detrivores is called fragmentation, then the degradation of the detritus into simple inorganic substances, by bacterial and fungal enzymes is known as catabolism.

Mineralization is the final stage of decomposition where fungi and bacteria convert complex organic matter into inorganic ions and salts.

Decomposition is primarily an aerobic process requiring oxygen to break down organic matter efficiently, though anaerobic decomposition can occur in specific environments.

Biological treatment processes in wastewater management utilize microorganisms to break down organic matter. This is the core mechanism for removing dissolved and fine organic pollutants.

Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to metabolize organic matter efficiently. They are the primary agents in aerobic decomposition processes.

Aerobic decomposition results in stable end products like carbon dioxide, water, and nitrates, which are not prone to further rapid decay. Unstable products are typically associated with incomplete or anaerobic processes.

Decomposition is the biological process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter.

Bacterial decomposition of organic matter releases various gases, including nitrogen compounds, into the atmosphere. The atmosphere is the general reservoir for these gases.

The decomposition of organic solid waste, such as food scraps and biological matter, produces volatile organic compounds and gases that cause foul odors.

Facultative bacteria are versatile organisms that can switch their metabolic pathways to survive and function in both the presence and absence of oxygen.

Aerobic decomposition is typically described in two stages: the carbonaceous stage (oxidation of carbon) and the nitrogenous stage (nitrification).

In the first stage of aerobic decomposition, carbonaceous organic matter is oxidized by bacteria to produce carbon dioxide and energy.

Humus is a dark-brown or black organic substance made up of decayed plant or animal matter which are fully decomposed by microorganisms like bacteria. Humus provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water. It has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon. 

Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays. When plants drop leaves, twigs, and other material to the ground, it piles up. This material is called leaf litter. When animals die, their remains add to the litter. The thick brown or black substance that remains after most of the organic litter has decomposed is called as humus. Humus contains many useful nutrients for healthy soil. 

Photosynthetically fixed carbon is eventually degraded by micro-organisms and two major forms of carbon known as methane and carbon dioxide. The micro-organisms breakdown the complex compounds of dead protoplasm of producers compounds of dead protoplasm of producers and consumers absorb some of the decomposition products and release simple substances. The slow rate of decomposition of fallen logs in nature is because of low moisture content.

• Humus particles are tiny pieces of organic matter and are known as Organic Colloids.
• Humus is important because it retains moisture in the soil, loosens the soil permitting better aeration and drainage, and encourages the increase of soil organisms which help make nutrients available to plants.
  
• Hence Humus is an example of organic colloids.
• So, the correct answer is 'Organic colloids'.

Dead plants and animals are degraded in soil by decomposing bacteria and fungi. The material formed after the decomposition process is called humus. Humus is very rich in nutrients and black in colour. Greater the amount of humus more is the soil productivity. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Microbes play important role in our lives and in the environment. They help in the decomposition process and in maintaining the biogeo-chemical cycles like carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Manure is prepared by the decomposition of animal excreta and plant waste.

Bacteria are the primary decomposers in soil, breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler nutrients that plants can absorb.

Decomposition takes part in recycling of biogeochemicals and creating space for newer generations of organisms. A number of processes are involved in decomposition. 

Leaching is the process where water-soluble substances, such as minerals, are washed out from the topsoil into the lower soil layers (subsoil) by percolating water.

A liquid when slowly passes through a filter, this is called percolation.

The decomposers are heterotrophic organisms that break up the dead bodies of plants and their waste products into smaller bits or molecules. The reducers release molecules to the environment as chemical to be used

Soil microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, are responsible for breaking down plant and animal residues to form humus, which is the organic matter in soil.

Pheretima is a genus of earthworm. Pheretima and its close relatives obtain nourishment from decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter. They are called as decomposers. They decomposes the dead organic matter and releases nutrients back into the environment.

The slow rate of decomposition of fallen logs in nature is due to their low moisture content The cellulose is in high amount in fallen logs. 

Decomposition is the process of breaking down organic matter into simple inorganic matter. Under same environmental conditions, the rate of decomposition various due to change in composition of detritus. If detritus is rich in lignin and chitin, the decomposition rate is slow. If detritus is rich in nitrogen, the decomposition rate is relatively high.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex organic molecules into the simpler organic ions and salts by fungi. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Nutrient cycles circulate matter through the biosphere. The nutrients regularly alternate between living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components. Hence the nutrient cycles are also called as biogeochemical cycles. The important nutrient cycles are water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, mineral cycle. In the carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon is fixed into organic compounds like carbohydrates by green plants during the process of photosynthesis. The organic compounds are consumed by heterotrophic organisms like animals. The waste materials of animals and dead bodies of animals and plants are acted upon by detrivorous organisms, releasing the mineral nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, sulphur etc back to the environment.

Low or reduced moisture alters and reduces the decomposition process. A slow rate of composition of fallen logs is likely due to low moisture contents.

In most terrestrial and aquatic environments, oxygen is generally not a limiting factor for plant growth, whereas light, temperature, and CO2 concentration frequently limit the rate of photosynthesis.

Gyps is a genus of vultures characterized by bald head, broad wings and mainly dark plumage. They are large scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals and thereby forming an important link in the decomposes food chain.
Thus, the correct answer is (B) Gyps.

Decomposition is a biological process driven by enzymes; higher temperatures in summer increase metabolic rates of microorganisms, leading to faster decomposition compared to colder winter months.

Producers (plants) capture solar energy, but a significant portion is lost through reflection, transmission, and the inefficiency of photosynthesis, often cited as a large loss of incident energy.

Hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of sulfate-reducing bacteria that thrive in anaerobic (oxygen-free) environments, making it a key indicator of anaerobic decomposition.

The green plant in the ecosystem-terminology are called as producers. All animals depend on plants (directly or indirectly) for their food needs. They are hence, called as consumers and also heterotrophs. 

Steps of decomposition are: 

Earthworm is an important organism in the process of decomposition. It is said to decompose detritus substances thus said to be a detrivore.