Describe the functions of a producer, consumer, and decomposer in an ecosystem.

Question

Describe the functions of a producer, consumer, and decomposer in an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Producers convert energy from the environment into carbon bonds, such as those found in the sugar glucose.

Consumers get their energy from the carbon bonds made by the producers.

Decomposers are essential components of nutrient cycles in terrestrial and aquatic systems. This guild of organisms resides in or on the soil surface where it processes organic matter (i.e., plants). Bacteria and fungi are the primary decomposers because they provide the necessary enzymes needed to breakdown organic matter to inorganic forms (i.e. nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]).