Fungi play a much larger and more significant role in the decomposition of terrestrial biomass than they do in marine ecosystems. Why?
A) Fungi do not thrive in a marine environment.
B) Fungi out-compete bacteria in terrestrial habitats.
C) Fungi can degrade lignin to form humus.
D) Fungi decompose leghemoglobin rapidly.
E) Fungi degrade human waste faster than bacteria.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fungi are able to degrade lignin, which is a structural component of plant cell walls that is resistant to decay. This allows fungi to break down terrestrial plant material more efficiently than bacteria. In marine environments, however, lignin is not a major component of the biomass, and so fungi play a smaller role in decomposition.

Fungi Play a Much Larger and More Significant Role in the Decomposition