SB9m Rates of decomposition

Question 1

What are 5 ways of preserving food?

Answer 1

 Decreasing temperature (fridges &
freezers) – slows down / stops enzymes
from breaking down food

 Reducing water content (salting, drying,
using sugar) – bacteria will dehydrate
and die

 Irradiation to kill decomposers

 Reducing oxygen so decomposers
cannot grow quickly. This can be done
by storing food in oil, fat, nitrogen
(unreactive gas).

 Increasing acidity / reducing pH – put in
vinegar to kill bacteria and denature
enzymes

Question 2

What is compost?

Answer 2

Compost is decayed garden waste that
can be used to increase soil fertility

Question 2

what will happen if you eat decaying food?

Answer 2

Eating decaying food can cause food
poisoning, which leads to vomiting,
diarrhea and, in extreme cases, death

Question 3

A compost heap is constructed in a way
to increase the rate of compost
formation by:

Answer 3

o Increase oxygen flow
o Water / moisture
o High temperature