分 解 者(ぶんかいしゃ)

ぶんかいしゃ

noun

decomposer

academic

1. decomposer

An organism, typically bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic matter and returns nutrients to the ecosystem.

キノコは分解者(ぶんかいしゃ)の一(ひと)つだ。

Mushrooms are one type of decomposer.

分解者(ぶんかいしゃ)は生態系(せいたいけい)で重要(じゅうよう)な役割(やくわり)を果(は)たす。

Decomposers play an important role in ecosystems.

分解者(ぶんかいしゃ)がいなければ、落(お)ち葉(ば)や動物(どうぶつ)の死骸(しがい)が分解(ぶんかい)されない。

Without decomposers, fallen leaves and animal carcasses would not be broken down.

分解者(ぶんかいしゃ) is a biology term composed of 分解(ぶんかい) (decomposition) + 者(しゃ) (one who does). It refers to organisms that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

ECOSYSTEM ROLES (commonly taught as a set):

生産者(せいさんしゃ): producer (plants — make food via photosynthesis)
消費者(しょうひしゃ): consumer (animals — eat other organisms)
分解者(ぶんかいしゃ): decomposer (break down dead matter)

Examples of decomposers

細菌(さいきん): bacteria
菌類(きんるい): fungi (including mushrooms and mold)
ミミズ: earthworms

Usage

This term appears frequently in 理科(りか) (science) classes and 生態系(せいたいけい) (ecosystem) discussions. The three-role classification is a standard part of Japanese science education.

general

Added 2026.2.4 21:01 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09966_bunkaisha