saprophytes
saprophytes — noun
- saprophytessingular
- saprophytesesplural
1. living things, especially fungi and certain types of bacteria, that obtain the n
living things, especially fungi and certain types of bacteria, that obtain the nutrients they need from dead or rotting plant and animal material
On the forest floor, saprophytes break fallen leaves and dead wood into rich soil.
role in decomposition — break down dead matter into soil
During biology class, the students collected samples of saprophytes from rotting logs behind the school.
Dr. Chen showed her class saprophytes on a fallen tree and explained nutrient recycling.
Unlike parasites, which attack living hosts, saprophytes only feed on matter that is already dead.
Without saprophytes, dead plants and animals would pile up and nutrients would stay locked away.
- decomposer
broader term — includes saprophytes, detritivores (e.g. earthworms), and decay bacteria; saprophytes are a subset of decomposers
- detritivore
an organism that eats dead plant/animal particles (detritus); different feeding method — ingestion vs. absorption
- parasite
feeds on a living host, causing harm; opposite ecological role
文法句型
saprophytes + plural verb
用法筆記
Frequently used in the plural form in biology texts. A single organism is called a saprophyte.