Decomposition Process and Detritus — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptYou may have heard of the earthworm being referred to as the farmer's 'friend'. This is so because they help in the breakdown of complex organic matter as well as in loosening of the soil. Similarly, decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called decomposition. Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, flowers and dead remains of animals, including fecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw material for decomposition. The important steps in the process of decomposition are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation.
Match the following components/processes related to decomposition with their descriptions. Column I (Component/Process) A. Detritus B. Fragmentation C. Humification D. Catabolism E. Mineralisation Column II (Description) 1. Breaking down of detritus into smaller particles by detritivores. 2. Raw material for decomposition, including dead plant and animal remains. 3. Degradation of detritus into simpler inorganic substances by bacterial and fungal enzymes. 4. Release of inorganic nutrients from humus by microbes. 5. Accumulation of a dark-coloured amorphous substance highly resistant to microbial action.
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