Define decomposition and describe the processes and products of decomposition.

Explanation

When organisms die, their bodies and the waste materials passed from the bodies of living organisms form a source of energy and nutrient for the decomposer organisms like saprotrophs detritivores and mineralisers. Saprotrophs absorb substances through general body surface from the dead bodies. Detritivores ingest detritus as food. Mineralisers mineralise humus these decomposers are referred to as microconsumers of the ecosystem. Decomposition of organic matter includes three phases. In the first phase particulate detritus is formed by the action of saprotrophs. Second stage is the rapid action of saprotrophs and detritivores to convert detritus into humic substances. Thrid process is the slower mineralisation of humus.
Decomposers also play an important role in an ecosystem by converting complex molecules of dead organisms into simpler and reusable molecules. The breakdown products of the dead organisms and waste materials are recycled in the ecosystem and are made available to the producers. The producers cannot continue to exist forever in the absence of the decomposers (as-minerals are not returned to the environment).