Define
decomposition and describe the processes and products of
decomposition.
Define decomposition and describe the processes and products of decomposition.
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 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.
