Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

what camnly found micro organisims decompose paper or paper plates?
what micro organisims live in or around wyane conty in michigan?

Hi, here are a few links that might be helpful

http://herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/FunFacts/Decay.htm
The first is about decomposition and general and will give you a good idea about how it works,
as for specific organisms, their are quiet literally thousands of different ones that will decompose paper. Pretty much any organism which can decompose cellulite can decompose paper.

For example the scientific study below shows a comparison of different fungi in the field.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o ... 442c2098c5
As for the micro organisms that grow in Wyane, their are more then likely several million, so could you refine what your asking please.

Hi Amin,

This sounds like a great project! Adam has given you excellent information to write up your project. Here are some additional resources that may help also:

Here is the information on the science buddies website on writing up the science board.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... oard.shtml

Here’s the chemical composition of paper; it’s >95% cellulose.

http://www.paperonweb.com/A1056.htm

Here’s information on the chemistry of cellulose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose

And finally, here is a scientific review paper about cellulose and the various types of organisms that break down cellulose. You have not had chemistry yet, but do try to read this paper and understand as much as you can. The paper includes the names of various microbes that break down cellulose, and I’m sure they are all found in Wayne County. It also describes the interesting biochemical pathways that various microbes use to break down cellulose and use it as an energy source. Let me know if you can open the link and I’ll try uploading it to this site.

http://mmbr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/66/3/506

Good luck! Let us know if you have any questions.


Donna Hardy

Hey!
That sounds like a great project! Really earth friendly and "green"

Heres a couple websites that I hope will help.

Just some of the basics in decomposers
http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/fi ... /page.html

Here is one that gets more into specifics about the different species and such
http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2007/tea ... osers.html

This is one on how a compost works, how and what decomposers do to break down things
http://www.alabamaaitc.org/spring00/activityrot.html

I would also research earthworms and how they decompose paper. I say this because when your starting a compose you lay wet newspaper down to back the base because it kind of jumpstarts the earthworms decomposing.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your project