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Decomposition
Noadswood Science, 2011
DecompositionDecomposition
To understand decomposition, and know why this is important
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
FruitFruit
The following pictures show three pieces of fruit: - One has been kept for a week in warm conditions One has been kept for a week in cold conditions One has been kept for a week without oxygen
Decide which fruit was left in which condition, and try and explain why they look like they do…
It is all due to decomposition…
DecompositionDecomposition
Living things are made from materials they take from the environment around them
When they decompose the elements they contain are returned to the soil where they cam from originally
These elements are then used by plants to grow, and the whole cycle repeats itself…
Fruit Decomposition
DecompositionDecomposition
Decomposition is carried out by bacteria and fungi
All plant matter and dead animals are broken down and decomposed by soil bacteria and fungi
This happens everywhere in nature, as well as in human systems such as compost heaps and sewage works
A variety of crucial elements are recycled (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen)
DecompositionDecomposition
Decay is both important and useful, since it recycles raw materials and gets rid of waste at the same time
Decay is the decomposition of organic matter by decomposer micro-organisms
Bacteria and fungi feed on the organic matter to provide themselves with energy – during the decay process both carbon and nitrogen are recycled
The carbon from dead or waste materials is made into carbon dioxide which plants need for photosynthesis
The nitrogen from proteins in dead or waste materials is converted to nitrates in the soil which plants use to produce new proteins
DecomposersDecomposers
Complete the decomposers worksheet
DecomposersDecomposers
Ideal ConditionsIdeal Conditions
For decomposition to occur there are a variety of ideal conditions, including the presence of: - Warmth Moisture Oxygen
Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) must be present, along with the organic matter
Woolly Mammoth – frozen in time
Compost HeapCompost Heap
Your task is to design a container for a compost heap to allow the best decomposition?
Consider the temperature; atmospheric conditions; organisms contained within the compost heap etc…
Add explanations to the features you have chosen – why did you choose the feature, and of what benefit is it?
Compost HeapCompost Heap
Compost heap – must not get too wet, must have a good supply of air (oxygen for the microorganisms), and the microorganisms need to be present!