Decomposition

• Decomposition, or decay, is the breakdown of dead matter, which is often called rotting.
• Decomposing bacteria and fungi are organisms that help the process of decomposition.
• Decomposition is crucial to the cycling of elements, such as carbon from one living organism to another.
• The rate of decomposition depends upon the number of decomposing microorganisms, the temperature, and water and oxygen availability.
• Compost and manure are used by gardeners and farmers.
• Anaerobic decay, methane gas and biogas generators are used in the process of decomposition.
• The rate of decomposition affects temperature, water & oxygen availability.
• Decomposition is the process of breaking down material to release nutrients back into the soil.
• Archaeologists have found very old remains of people who have fallen into peat bogs, which are poorly drained areas made up of partially decomposed organic matter due to waterlogging.
• At extremely high temperatures decomposers will be killed and decomposition will stop.
• As the volume of available water increases, the rate of decomposition also increases.
• Oxygen is needed for many decomposers to respire, enabling them to grow and multiply.
• Many decomposers secrete enzymes onto decaying matter and then absorb any dissolved molecules.
• As the temperature increases, decomposers become more active and the rate of decomposition increases.
• Decomposers need oxygen to survive and without it there is little or no decomposition.
• Decomposers can survive without oxygen.
• In peat bogs, there is low oxygen, low temperature and acidic water which can naturally mummify dead remains, similar to the process that the Egyptians undertook.
• The Egyptians mummified their dead kings and queens, removing all water from the mummy and stopping decomposers from breaking down the dead tissue.
• Without water, there is less decomposition because decomposers cannot survive.
• Decomposition, or decay, is the breakdown of dead matter.
• The rate at which this happens depends upon the number of decomposing microorganisms, the temperature, and water and oxygen availability.
• Gardeners and farmers improve the quality of their soil by adding compost and manure.
• Compost is made from dead plants and manure is the waste from animals.
• Once spread on the soil, compost and manure are broken down into minerals by decomposing bacteria and fungi, as well as by other organisms, such as worms.
• Adding compost or manure helps recycle minerals so that they are absorbed by new plants and used in growth.
• Compost and manure also improve the quality of soil by increasing aeration and water retention.
• Farmers can also use inorganic fertilisers on soil to overcome specific mineral deficiencies, although this does not require the involvement of decomposers.
• One key element which is recycled is nitrogen.
• This element is needed by plants to make proteins in order to grow and repair themselves.
• Plants cannot absorb nitrogen gas, and need it to be provided as nitrate ions.
• These nitrate ions are produced as a result of a long series of reactions by decomposers breaking down proteins and urea in the soil.
• The nutrients and minerals are then passed along the food chain.
• Anaerobic decay, methane gas and biogas generators are required practical science calculations.
• Decomposition, or decay, is the breakdown of dead matter.
• The rate at which decomposition happens depends upon the number of decomposing microorganisms, the temperature, and water and oxygen availability.
• Adaptations, interdependence and competition, Organisation of an ecosystem, Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, Trophic levels in an ecosystem, Food production, Sample exam questions - ecology, are other guides related to Ecology.
• Anaerobic decay, methane gas and biogas generators are used in the process of decomposition.
• The rate of decay affects key factors in the use of compost and manure by gardeners and farmers.
• Anaerobic decay occurs when bacteria and fungi break down dead matter without oxygen, which can happen naturally in some soils, particularly water logged soils, and in lakes and marshes.
• When people overwater their houseplants and flood the roots, anaerobic decay can occur, which can kill them.