Decomposition, in simple words, means breaking down. Decomposition is the breaking down of the complex organic matter into a simpler inorganic matter. Decomposition is a process which takes up the complex compounds as raw materials, processes them and converts them into simple compounds. Therefore, dead and decaying plants and animals serve as the raw materials which on breakdown produces carbon dioxide, nutrients and water, etc.
The raw materials like dead plants and animals and their remains are known as detritus. These detritus are then processed by several microbes called saprophytes which lead to their breakdown.
