Which term best describes organisms that break down dead matter and waste, returning nutrients to the environment?

• A. Decomposer
• B. Detritus
• C. Food Chain
• D. Habitat

Answer: (A)

Decomposers are the organisms that break down dead matter and waste, returning nutrients to the environment. They do this by secreting enzymes that break complex organic molecules into simpler substances plants can absorb, which helps recycle elements like carbon and nitrogen back into soil and water. This nutrient recycling keeps ecosystems fertile and supports new growth. Common decomposers include bacteria and fungi. Detritus is the dead material themselves, not the organisms that decompose it. A food chain describes who eats whom, not the role of breaking down matter. A habitat is the place where organisms live, not their function in nutrient cycling.