What are decomposing living beings: examples

Decomposing living beings are different organisms whose main function is to take advantage of the energy and organic matter in the remains of dead plants and animals. The two main types of decomposing living beings are fungi and bacteria, however, as you will see later, there are many other types.

Their name indicates the function they perform: decompose. That is, when an organism dies, these living beings decompose the organic matter in their body and convert it into inorganic matter , which will pass to the earth and will help the food chain to re-emerge. This happens because they release inorganic matter into the soil that will help plants and other organisms grow. We could say that decomposers are the last link in the food chain , in turn, they are also the first link in the life cycle.

Next we will talk about the different types of decomposing living beings, talking about the differences between them. In addition, we will explain what is the function of decomposers and what function they fulfill in the ecosystem.

Insects

There are many insects that intervene in the decomposition of corpses, among them there are several genera, for example, some spiders, mites or lice. Also the larvae of mosquitoes, which feed on these decomposing matters. Finally, flies, blowflies, beetles or fruit flies also play a role in decomposition. Each of them plays a different role in the decomposition of matter. Appearing at some point or another in the decomposition process. For example, blowflies appear only at the beginning of decomposition, laying their eggs there which, when they become larvae, contribute to decomposition.

Bacteria

Bacteria are microorganisms that can be found almost anywhere: land, sea, air and even inside living organisms. The function of bacteria, within the process of decomposition of matter, is to recycle the carbon molecules into nutrients that will serve the plants.

Mushrooms

They can break down different types of dead matter, whether it’s leaves, plants, or fecal matter. These fungi absorb nutrients from this matter in a very peculiar way. Saprobes, the main decomposing fungi, first release an enzyme into dead matter and then absorb those nutrients they want. Among the saprobes we find the shitake, a type of edible mushroom widely used in Japanese gastronomy or the typical aquatic mold that can be observed in ponds and lakes.

Other decomposers

There are other decomposers that do not fall into the previous categories, such as slugs, which are mollusks, or earthworms, which are annelids. In both cases they find in the decomposing matter a place to feed, in turn, when they excrete it, it leaves converted into food for plants.

Decomposing animals are usually a very basic type of organism, however, they have a key function in the food chain and within an ecosystem. Its function is to clean and reuse the waste of producer and consumer animals, decomposing their remains. That is, they are in charge of absorbing and reusing the organic matter substances that plants and animals leave behind when they die.

As we have seen in the previous section, bacteria and fungi are the main decomposers, although there are other types. Each of them at a time and in a different way, decomposers break up the remains to become inorganic matter.

Those found within the body of living beings act in the recycling of carbon dioxide , an element used by plants during photosynthesis. In addition, they take advantage of their waste, fulfilling a basic function in the ecosystem and balancing the environment. When these die, they decompose it to convert them into inorganic matter and the cycle of life is restarted.