What are decomposers?

What are the differences between detritus feeders, decomposers and micro-organisms?

• What are the differences between detritus feeders, decomposers and micro-organisms?

• Answer:

  Microorganisms are microscopic organisms compromise either a single cell (unicellular), cell clusters, or no cell at all (acellular). (See, Arpit Roy, not all microorganisms are unicellular). However, not all microorganisms are decomposers or detritus feeders. Microorganisms are very diverse; they include bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protists; microscopic plants (green algae); and animals such as plankton and the planarian. Green algae are producers, and so are archaea. Many protists are also producers.Bacteria can be producers,consumers,decomposers..etc So, this means that not all microorganisms are decomposers or detritus feeders. Decomposers feed on dead organisms, and by doing so,carry out the natural process of decomposition.Decomposers use deceased organisms and non-living organic compounds as their food source. The primary decomposers are bacteria and fungi. Detritivores, also known as detritus feeders or saprophages, are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing organic matter). By doing so, they contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles. In short ; Not all microorganisms are decomposers or detritivores (detritus feeders), they are basically microscopic organisms. Decomposers feed on deceased organisms, AND non-living compounds. Detritivores feed ONLY on detritus (decomposing organic matter)