Home / Summaries / Leereenheid 5 - Energiestomen en kringlopen / organic-inorganic-bacteria

The flux of energy and matter through ecosystems - The process of decomposition

Q: What is immobilization and what does it need in order to take place?

Immobilization is what occurs when an inorganic nutrient element is incorporated into an organic form , primarily during the growth of green plants. E.g. when carbon dioxide becomes incorporated into a plant's carbohydrates. Needs energy !!

Q: What s mineralization?

The conversion of elements from organic back to inorganic form.

Q: How is decomposition defined and what is it?

Decomposition is defined as the gradual disintegration of dead organic matter . Energy-rich molecules are broken down by their consumers ( decomposers and detrivores ) into carbon dioxide , water and inorganic nutrients .

Q: How does the process of decomposition start?

It starts with colonization by bacteria and fungi .

Q: What happens after colonization by bacteria and fungi?

Decomposition proceeds slowly and it involved microbial specialists that can break down structural carbohydrates and complex proteins .

Q: The majority of detrivores lack cellulases. What is this needed for and what 3 different ways are there to solve this deficiency?

Needed to break down cellulose and lignin , the 2 major organic components of dead leaves and wood. They solve this by forming any of the following interactions: Obligate mutualism between a detrivore and a specific and permanent gut microflora (e.g. bacteria) or microfauna (e.g. termites). Facultative mutualisms , where animals make use of cellulases produced by a microflora that is ingested with detritus as it passed through an unspecialized gut. ' external rumens ', where animals simply assimilate the products of cellulase-producing microflora associated with decomposing plant remains or feces.

6 important questions on The flux of energy and matter through ecosystems - The process of decomposition

What is immobilization and what does it need in order to take place?

Immobilization is what occurs when an inorganic nutrient element is incorporated into an organic form, primarily during the growth of green plants. E.g. when carbon dioxide becomes incorporated into a plant's carbohydrates.
Needs energy!!

What s mineralization?

The conversion of elements from organic back to inorganic form.

How is decomposition defined and what is it?

Decomposition is defined as the gradual disintegration of dead organic matter.
Energy-rich molecules are broken down by their consumers (decomposers and detrivores) into carbon dioxide, water and inorganic nutrients.

How does the process of decomposition start?

It starts with colonization by bacteria and fungi.

What happens after colonization by bacteria and fungi?

Decomposition proceeds slowly and it involved microbial specialists that can break down structural carbohydrates and complex proteins.

The majority of detrivores lack cellulases. What is this needed for and what 3 different ways are there to solve this deficiency?

Needed to break down cellulose and lignin, the 2 major organic components of dead leaves and wood.
They solve this by forming any of the following interactions:

Obligate mutualism between a detrivore and a specific and permanent gut microflora (e.g. bacteria) or microfauna (e.g. termites).
Facultative mutualisms, where animals make use of cellulases produced by a microflora that is ingested with detritus as it passed through an unspecialized gut.
"external rumens", where animals simply assimilate the products of cellulase-producing microflora associated with decomposing plant remains or feces.