Biology STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

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Which of the following kingdoms includes organisms that are primarily decomposers?

Plantae
Animalia
Fungi
Protista

The correct answer is: Fungi

The kingdom that includes organisms primarily functioning as decomposers is Fungi. Fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the environment. They obtain their nutrients through a process called saprotrophic nutrition, where they secrete enzymes to decompose complex organic substances and then absorb the resulting simpler compounds. This decomposition process is vital for nutrient cycling, making Fungi essential for soil health and the overall functioning of ecosystems. While Plantae consists of photosynthetic organisms that produce their own food, Animalia comprises primarily heterotrophic organisms that consume other organisms for energy. Protista includes a diverse group of mostly unicellular organisms, some of which can decompose, but this is not their defining characteristic as it is for fungi. Hence, Fungi is the kingdom best associated with the role of decomposers in the ecosystem.