Decomposition

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the specific term for the physical breakdown of dead organic matter (detritus) by detritivores like earthworms. This is a key step in the process of decomposition.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The process of decomposition involves several steps:
$%5Cbegin%7Barray%7D%7Brl%7D%20%5Cbullet%20%26%20%5Ctext%7BFragmentation%3A%20This%20is%20the%20first%20step%20where%20detritivores%20(like%20earthworms%2C%20termites)%20break%20down%20detritus%20into%20smaller%20particles.%20This%20action%20increases%20the%20surface%20area%20for%20microbial%20action.%7D%20%5C%5C%20%5Cbullet%20%26%20%5Ctext%7BLeaching%3A%20Water-soluble%20inorganic%20nutrients%20seep%20down%20into%20the%20soil%20horizon%20and%20get%20precipitated%20as%20unavailable%20salts.%7D%20%5C%5C%20%5Cbullet%20%26%20%5Ctext%7BCatabolism%3A%20This%20is%20the%20enzymatic%20process%20where%20bacteria%20and%20fungi%20degrade%20the%20simplified%20detritus%20into%20simpler%20inorganic%20substances.%7D%20%5C%5C%20%5Cbullet%20%26%20%5Ctext%7BHumification%3A%20This%20step%20leads%20to%20the%20formation%20of%20a%20dark-colored%2C%20amorphous%20substance%20called%20humus%2C%20which%20is%20highly%20resistant%20to%20microbial%20action%20and%20decomposes%20at%20an%20extremely%20slow%20rate.%7D%20%5C%5C%20%5Cend%7Barray%7D$

Step 4: Final Answer:
The physical breakdown of detritus into smaller particles by earthworms is called fragmentation.

High-Yield Trend

Chapter Questions
1 MCQs

Official Solution

Decomposition

High-Yield Trend

Chapter Questions 1 MCQs

Official Solution

Chapter Questions
1 MCQs