Final answer:
Decomposition is the process by which bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms and waste material, releasing nutrients back into the soil. This process is crucial for the continuing cycle of nutrients in an ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The deconstruction of vegetative organisms by chemical or physical methods is called decomposition. This biological process is carried out primarily by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, and they serve an essential role as decomposers. These organisms break down dead plant material, converting it back into fundamental substances that can be reused within the ecosystem. During decomposition, complex organic materials are transformed into simpler substances, releasing nutrients back into the soil, which living plants can absorb and utilize.
Options like photosynthesis, respiration, and fermentation refer to other biological processes. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some bacteria use light to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, crucial for the energy cycle. Respiration, specifically cellular respiration, is how living beings convert glucose and oxygen into energy, and fermentation is an anaerobic process where energy can be extracted from carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen.