question_answer 14)

    Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are (i) autotrophs              (ii) heterotrophs (iii) saprotrophs                (iv)chemo-autotrophs Choose the correct answer (a) (i) and (iii)                     (b) (i) and (iv)                    (c) (ii) and (iii)                    (d) (i) and (ii)

Answer:

                    (c) Autotrophs (Chemo autotrophs and photoautotrophs) are those organisms which are able to synthesize their own food. e.g., plants while the organisms which derive their food, (from autotrophs or plants) are termed as heteroptrophs. Heterotrophs may be herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Saprotrophs are the organisms which obtain their nourishment from dead organic matter or remains of both plant and animals. They are also known as decomposer as they play an important role in recycling of minerals by decomposing dead organic matter.