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Animals, such as earthworms, also help decompose the organic materials on and in soil through their activities. Organisms that do this are known as decomposers or detritivores. The science which studies decomposition is generally referred to as taphonomy from the Greek word taphos, meaning tomb.
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organisms and release the nutrients from the dead matter into the environment around them. Decomposition relies on chemical processes similar to digestion in animals; in fact, many sources use the words digestion and decomposition interchangeably. [1]
Other carbonates will decompose when heated to produce their corresponding metal oxide and carbon dioxide. [5] The following equation is an example, where M represents the given metal: MCO 3 → MO + CO 2. A specific example is that involving calcium carbonate: CaCO 3 → CaO + CO 2. Metal chlorates also decompose when heated.
Decomposition in animals is a process that begins immediately after death and involves the destruction of soft tissue, leaving behind skeletonized remains. The chemical process of decomposition is complex and involves the breakdown of soft tissue, as the body passes through the sequential stages of decomposition. [2]
Decomposition (computer science), or factoring; the process of breaking a complex problem down into easily understood and achievable parts Decomposition method (disambiguation), solutions of various problems and design of algorithms
Putrefying bacteria use amino acids or urea as an energy source to decompose dead organisms. In the process, they produce ammonium ions. Nitrifying bacteria then convert this ammonium into nitrate by oxidation, which can then be used by plants to create more proteins thus completing the nitrogen cycle. [ 6 ]
A fresh pig carcass. At this stage the remains are usually intact and free of insects. The corpse progresses through algor mortis (a reduction in body temperature until ambient temperature is reached), rigor mortis (the temporary stiffening of the limbs due to chemical changes in the muscles), and livor mortis (pooling of the blood on the side of the body that is closest to the ground).
Some oxides, especially of weakly electropositive metals decompose when heated to high enough temperature. A classical example is the decomposition of mercuric oxide to give oxygen and mercury metal. The reaction was used by Joseph Priestley to prepare samples of gaseous oxygen for the first time.