Clarification on MCQ Qn 25 for 08 MSHS Prelim 2, P1

Decomposers are organisms that consume dead or decaying organisms, and, in doing so, carry out the natural process of decomposition. Like herbivores and predators, decomposers are heterotrophic, meaning that they use organic substrates to get their energy, carbon and nutrients for growth and development. The primary decomposers are bacteria and fungi.

Differences between decomposers and detritivores
Some animals, like millipedes, woodlice, microarthropods, and various worms are commonly called decomposers, because such animals consume dead organic matter and contribute to the process of decomposition. Scientists, however, refer to such organisms as detritivores. This distinction is made because bacteria and fungi are capable of digesting many complex chemical molecules that animals are incapable of digesting. Additionally, bacteria and fungi digest and decompose organic matter more fully than detritivores, reducing it to inorganic material. For these reasons, bacteria and fungi play a more fundamental role in the processes of decomposition and nutrient recycling than animals.

Referring to Qn 25:
The statement 'Decomposers are all microorganisms.' is not true as not all fungi and microscopic. All bacteria are microorganisms but Fungi has a range from micro to the larger toadstools.