Educate to Elevate

Igniting the
Flame of
Learning
 sea urchins, pen shells, queen conch

helmet snails, stingrays, humans

This kind of fungus is sometimes called mould. The apple is
mouldy.

The microorganisms have changed the apple. They have made

it decay.
Organisms that make things decay are called
decomposers.
Many different kinds of microorganisms – including some
kinds of bacteria and microscopic fungi – are decomposers.

Some microorganisms can break

down organic matter when they feed
on it. This is what has caused the
apple to decay
If the dead bodies and waste are not broken down by
decomposers, they would just build up. There would be heaps
of dead plants, dead animals and animal dung everywhere.
But there is an even more important reason why decomposers
are useful. The dead bodies and waste contain substances that
living organisms can use to supply them with energy, or to
help them to grow. These substances are called nutrients.
When microorganisms decay organic matter, they return the
nutrients to the soil. Plants can then use the nutrients to help
them to grow. This is really helpful for the plant