Saprofüütseid

Saprofüütseid, known in English as saprophytes, are organisms that live on dead or decaying organic matter. This includes dead plants, animals, and waste products. Saprophytes are crucial decomposers in ecosystems, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling. They obtain their nutrients by secreting extracellular enzymes that break down complex organic molecules into simpler ones, which are then absorbed. This process releases essential nutrients back into the environment, making them available for producers like plants.

Fungi are the most well-known examples of saprophytes, with many species of mold and yeast falling into this category. Bacteria also constitute a significant group of saprophytic organisms. Some protists and even some invertebrates can exhibit saprophytic behavior. Without saprophytes, dead organic material would accumulate, and essential elements would remain locked away, hindering the growth and survival of other organisms. They are fundamental to the health and sustainability of all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Their activity is invisible to the naked eye for the most part but is indispensable for life on Earth.