decay

• What is decay?

  The digestion of dead material and respiration of the released molecules.
• What are decomposers?


  Microorganisms that break down dead plant and animal matter by secreting enzymes into the environment.
• What are uses of decay for farmers?

  • Provide the optimum conditions for rapid decay of waste biological material.
  • Compost can be used as a natural fertiliser.
• What are uses of decay for fuel production?

  • Anaerobic decay produces methane gas.
  • Biogas generators can be used to produce methane gas as a fuel.
• What is needed for decay/ increases the rate of decay?

  • Oxygen - needed for aerobic respiration, which releasing energy for the microorganism and releases mineral ions into the soil.
  • Water - dissolves the molecules which allows enzyme digestion, diffusion of products into microorganism.
  • Optimum temperature - decay is controlled by enzymes.
• What are the drawbacks of water for decay?

  • Water-logged soil reduces the oxygen availability.
  • Frozen water cannot be used by the microorganisms.