Question

Which one of the following processes during decomposition is correctly described?
A. Fragments- carried out by organisms such as earthworms.
B. Humification- leads to the accumulation of dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at a very fast rate.
C. Catabolism- the last step in the decomposition under fully anaerobic condition.
D. Leaching- water soluble inorganic nutrients rise to the top layers of soil.

Answer 1

All living organisms after a period of time experience death. As they begin to age, their bodily functions begin to deteriorate at one point, after which their system can no longer function and leads to the ultimate death. Signs and symptoms that indicate that a warm-blooded animal is not alive anymore include respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, and brain death.

Complete step by step answer: Once an animal dies, their body undergoes post-mortem changes. These changes include:
1. Pallor Mortis: Skin becomes pale within 15-120 minutes after death.
2. Algor mortis: Decrease in body temperature, the body becomes cold.
3. Rigor mortis: Stiffness in the limbs making it difficult to move or manipulate.
4. Livor mortis: Blood settles in the lower parts of the body.
5. Putrefaction: Beginning point of the body’s decomposition, skin decolourisation.
6. Decomposition: The body breaks down through natural consequences, foul smell develops.
7. Skeletonization: By this point, all the soft tissues have decomposed and the skeleton is left behind.
Putrefaction is referred to as the breakdown of proteins. This ultimately leads to the decomposition of tissues and most organs get liquefied. This decomposition is brought about by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria that digest the organic matter. This releases gases that further take part in the decomposition of tissues and organs within the body. Greenish discolouration of the skin and on the undersurface of the liver is the first sign of putrefaction. Putrefaction rate depends on many underlying factors such as the cause of death, body condition, external and internal injuries before or after death. External factors affecting the putrefaction rate include moisture, weather, exposure, and location. Decay is the gradual destruction or damage of a dead body or plant occurring due to natural processes. Decaying of a dead body or plant is also facilitated by the action of bacteria and fungi. Radiation also considered being one of the causes of the decaying of radioactive matter. The natural process of decaying involves the breakdown of organic compounds into simpler inorganic or organic matter such as mineral salts, simple sugars, water, and carbon dioxide. Decomposers are animals that aid in the decaying of organic matter. Worms are one such example of decomposers. Earthworms facilitate the decomposition process by fragmentation. Fragmentation is the initial stage of decomposition. Fragmentation involves the breakdown of detritus, i.e. organic matter produced during decomposition, by decomposers.
Hence, the correct answer is Option. C
Note: Taphonomy is defined as the branch of science that deals with the study of decomposition. The sequence of the stages of decomposition is similar in all organisms. However, no two organisms undergo similar decomposition.