Ecosystem Maintenance Decomposers are like the housekeepers of an ecosystem. Without them, dead plants and animals would keep piling up with the nutrients the soil needs trapped inside. Decomposers clean up the dead material by processing it and returning the nutrients to the soil for the producers.

Decomposers are the last link in the food chain, these organisms include bacteria, insects, and fungi.

The major components of feedstuffs are moisture, lipids, protein, fibre, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins.

• 1 Moisture. Moisture (water) is an important diluent of the nutrients in feedstuffs.
• 2 Lipids and Fatty Acids.
• 3 Proteins and Amino Acids.
• 4 Carbohydrate.
• 5 Energy.
• 6 Minerals 4/

These components are called nutrients. The major nutrients in our food are named carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, food contains dietary fibres and water which are also needed by our body.

There are seven essential factors for a balanced diet: carbs, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water.

Biuret test

Nutrients can be obtained from eating only one type of food. This is a False statement. Nutrients can be obtained from eating only one type of food, they are many more foods from which we can obtain nutrients. Nutrients include vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, vitamin C.

7 Perfect Survival Foods

• Perfect Foods. (Image credit: XuRa | shutterstock)
• Beans. (Image credit: USDA)
• Kale. (Image credit: Justin Jernigan)
• Cantaloupe. (Image credit: stock.xchng)
• Berries. (Image credit: Ohio State University.)
• Barley. (Image credit: USDA)
• Seaweed. (Image credit: NOAA)
• Fish. (Image credit: stock.xchng)