Decomposition

• Detritivores are small organisms that speed up the rate of decay by shedding the dead organisms into small pieces. This increases the surface area for decomposers to work on.
• Decomposers are bacteria and fungi that break down dead plant and animal matter. they secrete enzymes on the surface of the dead organisms to break the organism down and then absorb the digested smaller food molecules.
• Decomposition is the breakdown of dead matter, often also called rotting.
• Decomposers use the glucose that they absorb to respire.
• Decomposition is crucial to the cycling of elements, such as carbon, from one living organism to another.
• Secondary decomposers are larger animals like worms, insect larvae and millipedes which feed on the remains of the primary decomposer's activity.
• Primary decomposers are microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) which directly attack the organic material.