home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1996
/
Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The (1996)(Epic Marketing)[non-bootable].iso
/
d
/
decomposer
/
infotext
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-09-02
|
527b
|
15 lines
A decomposer in biology, is any organism that
breaks down dead matter. Decomposers play a
vital role in the ecosystem by freeing
important chemical substances, such as
nitrogen compounds, locked up in dead
organisms or excrement. They feed on some of
the released organic matter, but leave the
rest to filter back into the soil or pass in
gas form into the atmosphere. The principal
decomposers are bacteria and fungi, but
earthworms and many other invertebrates are
often included in this group.
Subject by: Shaun Jey