Decomposers (saprotrophs) are organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down the organic matter in the dead bodies of plants and animals into simple nutrients.

Work is performed on an object when an applied force causes displacement along the same vector. Measured in joules (J) or newton-meter (Nm), work is calculated by multiplying force times displacement:  \(W = \vec{F}\vec{d}\)

Tertiary consumers eat primary consumers and secondary consumers and are typically carnivorous predators. Tertiary consumers may also be omnivores. Examples include wolves, sharks, and human beings.

Solids exist at a lower temperature than liquids which exist at a lower temperature than gases.

The gaseous state occurs at a higher temperature range than the solid and liquid states of the same substance. In this state, molecules flow very freely around each other and will spread out as far as they're able. Gases maintain neither a constant volume nor a constant shape.