The F.I.B.s: Can't Live With'em, Can't Live Without'em

May 29—Somehow, this lizard died and now decomposers are breaking it down into soil. You can remember decomposers by the acronym F.I.B. which stands for Fungi, Insects, and Bacteria. Yeasts, mildews, molds, and that kind of thing make up the fungi group. What insects have you seen crawling or flying around dead animals? Did you say flies, beetles, and ants? Those creatures are decomposing insects. You cannot see bacteria because they are microorganisms, organisms too tiny to be seen by the human eye.

A batch of fungi (the plural of fungus) can be bad or good for humans. Bad fungi are responsible for "Athlete's Foot." But, you might actually enjoy fungi on pizza. What?!! It's true. Do you know anyone who likes mushrooms on pizza? Mushrooms are fungi.

Insects can be bad or good for humans. Several insects spread disease. But bees and butterflies are responsible for all the fruit we eat. Ladybugs eat crop-destroying aphids. And spiders get rid of mosquitoes.

Bacteria can be bad for humans or good. Bacteria causes illnesses like sore throats. But bacteria also are beneficial to us. Do you enjoy yogurt? Believe it or not, good bacteria changes milk into yogurt.

We need the FIBs. Use a computer at school or a public library to find out what other FIBs are helpful and what FIBs are harmful.

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