UPSC Prelims 2013
Environment & Ecology
With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of an organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms?
1. Virus
2. Fungi
3. Bacteria
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
- Fungi and Bacteria are decomposers. They breakdown organic matter into simple inorganic substances. - Virus represents dormant life. They are metabolically inactive as long as they are outside a host body. They are not decomposers. They invade host cells and use their nucleus (DNA machinery) to carry out their life processes.