What do decomposers use food for?

Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, don't eat food in the way that animals do. Instead, they use food for energy and building blocks to grow and reproduce. Here's how it works:

* Energy: Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste products, releasing energy stored in their chemical bonds. This energy is then used by the decomposers to carry out their life processes.

* Building blocks: Decomposers also break down complex molecules in the dead matter into simpler ones. These simpler molecules, like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are then used by the decomposers to build their own bodies and reproduce.

Essentially, decomposers are like nature's recyclers. They take the leftover bits of life and turn them into usable resources for the ecosystem.