Bacteria are decomposers among the other microorganisms that play a crucial part in our ecosystem. In this article, decomposer bacteria examples we will acknowledge the five most essential bacteria and their role in the decomposition process.
Decomposers are the primary baseline of our ecosystem. Certain types of microorganisms responsible for decomposing dead organisms or their wastes into a simpler form to help recycle the nutrient are called decomposers
Proteobacteria
Proteobacteria are commonly known as “purple bacteria and relatives”, and these bacteria are very versatile, including phototrophs, chemolithotrophs and heterotrophs. Some are pathogenic, while some are harmless. Examples; Escherichia, Vibrio Bacteria, Salmonella species and Helicopter bacteria.
Actinobacteria
- Actinobacteria are gram-positive bacteria characterized by high G+C DNA content. That can be found in water and soil ecosystems. Their high metabolic abilities positively affect the environment. Examples; Iamia majanohamensi, Olsenella uli, Cryptobacterium curtum, Thermoleophilum album, Gaiella occulta, Rubrobacter aplysinae
Acidobacteria
- Acidobacteria, as their name suggests these bacteria are slightly alkaline or acidophiles. This community is majorly present in the soil, around 20% of all microorganisms. Also, they involve in the carbon cycle that’s responsible for carbon degradation. They are Gram-negative bacterium and are aerobic, which means they need oxygen to grow.
Bacteroidetes
- Bacteroidetes this phylum includes gram-negative bacteria in all ecosystems. Work as degraders of carbohydrates and proteins inside the human body. As they take part in the metabolic process, they release energy during the breakdown of various organic molecules. Some can be harmful to humans as they act as pathogens or removed toxic elements. Being anaerobic bacteria, they can survive with or without oxygen.
There are four classes found in this species; Bacteroides, Flavobacteria, Sphingobacteriia, Cytophagia.
Alphaproteobacteria
- Alphaproteobacteria is a class of Proteobacteria phylum; this species is primitively present on earth, as organelles evolved from organisms. It has a similar structure, suspected that responsible for the origin of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells. Most of them act as free-living others can be symbiotic and parasitic. They also take part in nitrogen fixation, where the bacterium can convert the gas into a form that plants can use. Example; Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium.
Gammaproteobacteria
Gammaproteobacteria, most of them, are unicellular organisms found in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Rod-shaped, gram-negative and anaerobic species can be free-living, symbiotic or parasitic. Examples; Salmonella enterica, Citrobacter farmer, Dickeya dadantii, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Brenneria salicis.
Some common examples of decomposer bacteria.
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus subtilis a decomposer bacterium which naturally presents in the upper layer of soil in green colour. It can survive in the most unfavourable conditions and is also used as humus in soil for agriculture. Some people used it for food production.
Pseudomonas fluorescence
Pseudomonas fluorescence these bacteria are found in water or soil. It works as a decomposer and improves the immune system in humans. This microbe is also responsible for various infections related to the ear, eye and skin. It is also used in the production of medicines, ointments and creams.
Frequently Asked Questions-
What are decomposer bacteria? Their types.
Bacteria are the smallest microorganisms present abundantly in our environment, and they are commonly present in our ecosystem. They are involved in decomposition in starting stages. There are the six species which involve in decomposition
What are decomposer bacteria? Their types.
Bacteria are the smallest microorganisms present abundantly in our environment, and they are commonly present in our ecosystem. They are involved in decomposition in starting stages. There are the six phylum we found in bacteria which involve in decomposition.
What role do decomposers play in a food chain?
The food chain is a series in which energy and nutrients transform and recycled. In every ecosystem, energy flow starts through producers (such as plants and green algae), consumers (herbivores, carnivores and omnivorous) and decomposers (bacteria, fungi). Decomposers are the last link in the food chain; they break down debris and dissolve in the soil in recycled form. This cycle maintains the energy flow in the ecosystem.
How do decomposers interact with their ecosystem?
Decomposers eat dead animals, or their wastage converts that into inorganic substances. This process enriches the soil with many vital nutrients. Plants contain these nutrients while growing in the ground, and then these nutrients are consumed by animals. After their death, microbes dissolved this nutrient again in the soil. In an ecosystem, energy and nutrients flow in a cycle, and this food chain transformation has to be maintained to make it sustainable.
Are bacteria act as decomposers or producers?
Some bacteria make their food in the presence of light, refer as autotrophs, while others are heterotrophs which depend on dead animals and their waste products. Green Sulphur bacteria, purple sulphur bacteria, purple non-sulphur bacteria, and phototropic acidobacteria are some examples of autotrophic bacteria. Agrobacterium xanthomonas, pseudomonas, salmonella, Escherichia, rhizobium.
Without decomposers, what would have happened?
As decomposers are a crucial part of the food chain, but without them, our ecosystem gets effect drastically. Dead animals, plants and insects will remain in their forms and never dissolve in soil. Soon, the space will not be left for any species to survive in the environment. The significance of decomposers is to make vital nutrients available to an ecosystem’s primary producers, who are usually bacteria.
Please click to learn on Saprophytic Bacteria Examples.
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Hello, my name is Kriti Singh from Agra. I have completed a post-graduation degree in Biotechnology and a B.Ed. degree. Biology is my favorite subject since childhood and I never felt tired or bored with this particular subject. As I have an inquisitive personality, always been curious and fascinated to know more about life and nature.
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