Recycling within ecosystems

How are organic materials processed to be usable to organisms

• Are processed into inorganic elements or compounds (more useful form)

• Then returned to the environment

Decomposer

Organisms that feeds on & breaks down dead plant or animal matter

• This turns organic compounds into inorganic ones available to photosynthetic producers in the ecosystem

Why are decomposers saprotrophs

They get their energy from dead or waste organic material

How do saprotrophic decomposers release stored inorganic compounds back into the environment

1. Digest food externally by secreting enzymes onto dead organisms / organic waste matter

2. Enzymes break down complex organic molecules into simpler soluble molecules

3. Decomposers absorb these molecules

What do detritivores do?

Help to speed up decay process by feeding on dead & decaying material (detritus)

• Break it down into smaller pieces of organic material

  • Increases SA for decomposers to work on

Perform internal digestion

Examples of detritivores

1. woodlice (wood)

2. earthworms (dead leaves)

3. dung beetles

4. Snails

What is nitrogen an essential element for?

• Making amino acids (proteins) and nucleic acids in plants & animals