Molecules Organic Decomposers Dead Essential Detritivores Breaks Smaller

- essential elements cant be used directly in organic form and so need processing into inorganic elements/compounds to be usable for plants and for it to be returned into enviro

- decomposers feed on and break down dead animal/plant matter, converting the organic molecules into inorganic molecules (nutrients) for producers, decomposers typically microscopic fungi/bacteria

- theyre saprotrophics (external digestion, called this as they gain energy from dead organic matter), they release enzymes onto dead organism, which breaks it down into soluble molecules (ingested by decomposers), detritivores speed up decaying process by feeding on detritus (dead/decaying matter), forming smaller molecules which inc SA for decomposers (e.g woodlice, earthworms), this is example of internal digestion