Microorganisms' Roles in Decomposition

Steps:

• Recall microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae.
• Evaluate each statement against known biological facts about microbes.
• Identify decomposition as a key ecological process driven by specific microbes.
• Confirm the statement that aligns with primary decomposers.

Why C is correct:

• Bacteria and fungi are the primary microorganisms that break down organic matter through enzymatic decomposition, as defined in microbial ecology.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Antibiotics are produced mainly by certain bacteria and fungi, not all microorganism types like viruses or protozoa.
• B: Bacteria exist freely in environments, not only inside cells; viruses are intracellular but bacteria are not.
• D: Some microorganisms like fungi and protozoa are eukaryotes with DNA in a nucleus; viruses may contain RNA instead of DNA.

Final answer: C