2007-07-17 09:20:15 · 4 answers · asked by Matt S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Rotting things smell due to the chemical byproducts of bacterial and fungal metabolism. The microorganisms feed off of the organic material, which is what causes the decomposition. The remaining material is chemically changed into substances that we find to have an unpleasant odor, but it attracts other microbes that continue the decomposition process.
2007-07-17 09:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the same as why does your breath start to smell bad after you eat a lot of sugary foods: the bacteria that are using that sugar (or leftover tissues in the case of a dead chicken) are giving off bad smelling gases as a result of their chemical processes to basically eat away at the tissue. I know it seems kind of nasty but that's the truth and that's why you really can get deep gorges or even small holes in your teeth if you don't brush and floss regularly.
2007-07-17 09:30:10 · answer #2 · answered by I want my *old* MTV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything that is decaying produces a foul smell it is because of the nitrogen fixing bacteria that makes the rotting chicken decay. the nitrogen fixing bacteria produces ammonia in the process of decomposition
2007-07-17 09:39:14 · answer #3 · answered by jamaica 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's going into a state of decomposition.
2007-07-17 09:38:52 · answer #4 · answered by DAR76 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋