What is a detritivore, and how does it differ from a decomposer?

What is a detritivore, and how does it differ from a decomposer?

• A. Detritivores ingest detritus and fragments; decomposers break down organic matter extracellularly, returning nutrients.
• B. Detritivores break down detritus extracellularly; decomposers ingest detritus.
• C. Detritivores and decomposers are the same; both ingest detritus.
• D. Detritivores consume only living tissue.

Answer: (A)

Detritivores are organisms that ingest detritus—dead plant and animal matter and fragments—and digest it inside their bodies. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter outside their bodies by secreting enzymes and then absorb the resulting nutrients. In other words, detritivores physically eat and internally digest fragments, while decomposers chemically break down matter externally and recycle nutrients back into the environment. This distinction helps explain how nutrient cycling works: detritivores move organic material through ingestion, whereas decomposers release nutrients that other organisms can use. For example, earthworms are detritivores, while bacteria and fungi are decomposers. The other statements mix up where digestion happens, claim they’re the same, or say detritivores only eat living tissue, which doesn’t fit how these groups operate.

Detritivores are organisms that ingest detritus—dead plant and animal matter and fragments—and digest it inside their bodies. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter outside their bodies by secreting enzymes and then absorb the resulting nutrients. In other words, detritivores physically eat and internally digest fragments, while decomposers chemically break down matter externally and recycle nutrients back into the environment. This distinction helps explain how nutrient cycling works: detritivores move organic material through ingestion, whereas decomposers release nutrients that other organisms can use. For example, earthworms are detritivores, while bacteria and fungi are decomposers. The other statements mix up where digestion happens, claim they’re the same, or say detritivores only eat living tissue, which doesn’t fit how these groups operate.