Question 10: Define decomposition and describe the processes and products of decomposition.
Class 12 - Biology - Ecosystem Page 257
Answers
Decomposition is the process that involves the breakdown of complex organic matter or biomass from the body of dead plants and animals with the help of decomposers into inorganic raw materials such as carbon dioxide, water, and other nutrients. The various processes involved in decomposition are as follows:
(1) Fragmentation: It is the first step in the process of decomposition. It involves the breakdown of detritus into smaller pieces by the action of detritivores such as earthworms.
(2) Leaching: It is a process where the water soluble nutrients go down into the soil layers and get locked as unavailable salts.
(3) Catabolism: It is a process in which bacteria and fungi degrade detritus through various enzymes into smaller pieces.
(4) Humification: The next step is humification which leads to the formation of a dark-coloured colloidal substance called humus, which acts as reservoir of nutrients for plants.
(5) Mineralization: The humus is further degraded by the action of microbes, which finally leads to the release of inorganic nutrients into the soil. This process of releasing inorganic nutrients from the humus is known as mineralization.
Decomposition produces a dark coloured, nutrient-rich substance called humus. Humus finally degrades and releases inorganic raw materials such as CO2, water, and other nutrient in the soil.
Decomposition refers to the breakdown of organic matter into simpler components. This process is observed after death in plants and animals.
As a matter of fact, this is a vital step in nutrient cycle and clears up or recycles the matter components occupy physical space.
The process of decomposition is carried out by small microbes called decomposers. It starts with the death of an organism and a plant and then in days they rotting process starts. The bacteria starts acting on the organic component and eventually dissolve it on soil which then renews through the nutrient cycle.
These are the three steps included in decomposition:
- Fragmentation of detritus
- Leaching
- catabolism
Detritus refers to the dead plants and animals. The by-products of decompositions are carbon dioxide, water, humus, gases and nutrients.