Question

When plants and animals die, their bodies are decomposed by organisms such as bacteria or fungi. Which statement is true regarding the decomposition process?
A.
Decomposition is a chemical change because the organism is broken down into new substances.
B.
Decomposition is a physical change because the organism is broken down into new substances.
C.
Decomposition is a physical change because the identity of the dead plant or animal does not change.
D.
Decomposition is a chemical change because the identity of the dead plant or animal does not change.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct statement regarding the decomposition process is:

**A. Decomposition is a chemical change because the organism is broken down into new substances.**

Decomposition involves biochemical processes that break down the complex organic materials in dead organisms into simpler substances, resulting in new chemical compounds. This change results in a transformation of the original materials, which is characteristic of a chemical change.