Decomposition in action

Why do bananas get those brown spots and grapes shrivel up?  Take a look at bananas and other fruits decomposing (with the help of some little friends called bacteria and fungi).

What happens in the forest?  All plants need nutrients for growth.  But where do they get them?  This video tells you a little about decomposition.

What happens when animals die?  Is the same process at work?  See the decomposers at work on a rabbit.  WARNING:  You may not want to watch this video if you have a queasy stomach!

These videos show just a few ways decomposers work in our world.  There are many insects, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms that play an important part in changing dead materials into substances that can be consumed by other plants and animals.


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