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It is because living organisms absorb C14 from their environment. After death, they are no longer capable of absorbing any more C14. So, at the time of death, the C14 : C12 ratio is fixed. C14 undergoes radioactive decay (into C12) so the C14 : C12 ratio declines and that can be used as a measure of the time since death.

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What breaks down once living matter into simple energy rich substances?

The process of decomposition by fungi, bacteria, and other organisms breaks down once-living matter into simple, energy-rich substances. These decomposers break down complex organic molecules in dead plants and animals into simpler compounds like carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients that can be used by other living organisms.


Are non-living things made up of more than one cell?

No, non-living things are not made up of cells. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of living organisms, so non-living things do not exhibit cellular structure or organization. Examples of non-living things include rocks, water, and metal.


How do you release the energy from fossil fuels into living organismas?

Use the fossil fuels to make electricity. Use the electricity to make light and use this artificial light to raise crops (eg carrots). Feed the carrots to a rabbit. The rabbit will then be living on the energy (which was once sunlight) that was stored in the fossil fuels.


Why are organic compounds called organic compounds?

because it was once believed that such compounds could not be synthesized in a lab but could only be produced in living things/organisms because of some "supernatural essence" unique to themorganic compounds are very complex carbon compounds


What indentifies an organic compound from other compounds?

Organic compounds are characterized by the presence of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. They also often contain other elements like oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus. Additionally, organic compounds are usually derived from living organisms or once-living materials.

Related Questions

What are the parts of an organisms environment that are living or once living and interact with the organisms are?

The parts of an organism's enviroment that are living or once living and interact with the organsim are biotic factors. :)


What word describes microbes which gain nutrients from once living organisms?

Fungi and Bacteria that gain nutrients from once living organisms are called decomposers. Organisms that gain nutrients from living organisms is called parasites.


Solidified remains of once-living organisms?

Fossils


What does unicellular and multicellular have in common?

they where once living organisms


Compounds associated with living or once living organisms are known as?

organic compounds


What Compounds associate with living or once living organisms are known?

Organic Compounds


What are the parts of an organisms environment that are the living or once living and interact with the organism?

The parts of an organism's enviroment that are living or once living and interact with the organsim are biotic factors. :)


What happens once food is canned?

It will be free of all living organisms


How can an isotope like carbon be used to date dead organisms?

An isotope like carbon-14 can be used to date dead organisms by counting the atoms with a machine.


Do organisms have to be alive in order to be classified as an organism?

Yes - organisms must be living things. They can be dead - as in they were once alive, but they cannot be a non-living thing, such as a mineral. All organisms are capable (in some way) of responding to stimulus, growing, reproducing and maintaining homeostasis. Therefore a non-living thing cannot be called an organism.


What are the remains of once living organisms found in sedimentary rock?

fossil


What takes place in an area with soil that was once the home of living organisms?

secondary succession