Decomposition & Decay Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

How does temperature affect the rate of decomposition?

The rate increases as temperature rises up to an optimum, then falls because the decomposers' enzymes are denatured.

How does oxygen availability affect the rate of decomposition?

Increasing oxygen concentration increases the rate, because decomposers can respire (aerobically) more.

How does water content affect the rate of decomposition?

Moist conditions speed up decay, as decomposers need water to grow and for enzyme reactions; drying food slows or stops decay.

What are the steps to calculate the rate of decay of biological material?
e.g. leaves of mass $30$ g fall to $20$ g in $20$ days

1. Find the mass lost: $30 - 20 = 10$ g
2. Divide by the time taken: $10 \div 20 = 0.5$
3. Give the units: $0.5$ g per day

What conditions give the fastest decomposition in a compost bin?

Warm temperature, moist (but not waterlogged) conditions, and plenty of oxygen — achieved by turning the compost.

True or false? Frozen food does not decay because freezing kills all the microorganisms.

False. Freezing only slows decay — microorganisms and enzymes become inactive but are not killed.