Does bacteria decompose living things

Answer 1

- Saprobic bacteria invade every inch of the dead body, and begin eating and digesting its tissues. There are many types of bacteria that live inside the body. These bacteria are the first to begin the process of decomposition after an organism dies. The initial bacteria start physical breakdown of muscles. They tear apart the muscle tissue into individual protein strands. More saprobic bacteria soon move in to help break down the organic matter. Because there are so many bacteria in the soil, decomposition occurs more rapidly after a body is buried.

- Proteins are broken down by an enzyme called protease that is secreted by fermentative bacteria. This enzyme separates proteins (polypeptides) into amino acids (peptides). It accomplishes this through a process known as hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, a water molecule is inserted between the two amino acids that are bonded together. This breaks the bond between them by capping the free reactive ends with the H and the OH. The protein, therefore, is broken down from long chains into its individual molecules, amino acids.

- In the next step, a new group of bacteria called acetogens take over. These bacteria decompose amino acids into acetic acid, hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas, and carbon dioxide gas. To do this, they need oxygen which they obtain from O2 dissolved in the body's fluids or bound in the body's structure.

Answer 2

Bacteria breaks down all types of different things. It can break down food in the human stomach, as well as things such as tooth enamel.

Answer 3

it digests it

Answer 4

rotting in the soil

Answer 5

decomposition

Answer 6

Saprophyte