Question

Fungi and bacteria are detritus feeders, also known as

• A. Omnivores
• B. Herbivores
• C. Deteritivores
• D. Autotrophs

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Deteritivores

Detritivores are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts as well as faeces). By doing so, all these detritivores contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles. They should be distinguished from other decomposers, such as many species of bacteria, fungi and protists, which are unable to ingest discrete lumps of matter, but instead live by absorbing and metabolizing on a molecular scale (saprotrophic nutrition). However, the terms detritivore and decomposer are often used interchangeably.

So the correct option is 'detritivores'.