Question

During the process of decomposition in which stage complex organic matter is converted into organic ions and salts by fungi
A. Mineralization
B. Catabolism
C. Fragmentation
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Decomposition means to break down. This is the process through which a dead complex organic substance breaks down and is converted into the simple organic substance or inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars, and mineral salts. The process is a part of the nutrient cycle and starts immediately after death.

Complete answer:
Decomposition is the process of breakdown of the organisms. It is a typical process of disintegration of complex organic matter into a simpler organic or inorganic matter. Decomposition plays one of the major roles in the ecosystem. It is a metabolic process where the complex organic compound is taken as the raw materials i.e. dead animals and plants of the process and after passing through several and specific process materials are converted into simpler compounds.
Bacteria, fungi, and a few other microorganisms are known as the decomposers as they induce the process of decomposition. In order to survive decomposers, absorbs the nutrition from dead and decayed organisms.
There are some factors that affect the process and rate of decomposition. Structural and chemical properties of litter, the temperature of the ecosystem, pH of the soil, inorganic Chemicals present in the ecosystem, and the moisture of the environment are the factors which affect the process of decomposition.
The process of decomposition is carried through several steps. A complete cycle of decomposition occurs in five distinct phases that are the fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification, and mineralization.
Fragmentation is the starting stage of decomposition in which the raw substances break down into smaller pieces. This step is done by the detritivores and these pieces may contain a lot of water-soluble inorganic nutrients. After the fragmentation, these nutrients are released in the water and seep into the soil. This phase is known as leaching.
Next after the releasing of inorganic nutrients, the detritus breaks down into simpler organic ions and salts, and this step of decomposition is performed by various fungal and bacterial enzymes. This step is called catabolism which is the third step of decomposition. The next step is humification where humus is formed, which is a dark-coloured layer of amorphous substance on the soil and with a high resistance power to the action of microbes. The last and final step of the decomposition process is mineralization in which the degradation of the hummus takes place to release in organic nutrients. In this process, the fungi decompose the complex organic matter into organic salts and ions.

Therefore, the correct option is option A.

Note: Decomposition is the process of breaking down complex organic compounds into simple organic and inorganic molecules. This process is done in a few steps. In some steps, the inorganic nutrients are released from the detritus while in some steps they break into simpler organic ions and salts, and this step is called mineralization.