Image: Wikimedia Commons

decomposition

Breaking down of living matter

EntityQ339062

Also known as rotting · putrefaction · rot

Subclass of: biological process

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

Decomposition is the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars and mineral salts. The process is a part of the nutrient cycle and is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biosphere. Bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death. Although no two organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same sequential stages of decomposition. Decomposition can be a gradual process for organisms that have extended periods of dormancy.

Overview

All data

21 statements · 29% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Follows: putrefaction
Followed by: skeletonization
Different from: decomposition
Partially coincident with: biodegradation

On other databases

16 identifiers linking decomposition across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

29%

externally sourced

Source last edited October 5, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

Suggest a fact or correction

Links

Use this data

curl https://aidb.si/api/v1/entities/Q339062

API docs, limits & keys

Cite this page

AIDB. (2026). decomposition (Q339062). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/decomposition-Q339062