Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:-

The earthworm is often referred to as the farmer's 'friend' due to its beneficial role in the breakdown of complex organic matter and soil aeration. Similarly, decomposers play a crucial role in converting complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients through the process of decomposition. Detritus, consisting of dead plant remains (leaves, bark, flowers) and animal waste, serves as the raw material for decomposition. Decomposition involves several important steps: fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification, and mineralization.

What is the raw material for decomposition?

All of these

The correct answer is Option (4) -All of these

Decomposition is a crucial natural process that involves the breakdown of complex organic compounds into simpler substances, ultimately returning nutrients to the ecosystem. The raw materials for decomposition are various forms of organic matter, and these can include:

1. Detritus: This refers to dead plant and animal material, such as fallen leaves, dead organisms, and other organic debris.
2. Dead leaves of plants: Fallen leaves from plants contribute a significant amount of organic material to the soil, and they are an essential component of the detritus.
3. Fecal matter of animals: Animal waste, or fecal matter, is another source of organic material that undergoes decomposition. The breakdown of fecal matter helps release nutrients back into the environment.
4. Other organic substances: Organic matter can come from various sources, including decaying plant and animal tissues, organic compounds in soil, and more.

The decomposition process involves the action of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, as well as larger organisms like insects and worms. These decomposers break down complex molecules into simpler forms through biochemical processes, releasing nutrients that can be taken up by plants for growth. The breakdown of organic matter is a crucial part of nutrient cycling in ecosystems, ensuring the continual recycling of elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.