nitrogen is an important element found when organic matter is analized. living things cannot utilize nitrogen unless it is in a complex form. Animals require proteins which are very complex. these proteins are manufactured by green plants. when an organism dies, the nitrogen compounds are made simpler by the action of bacteria. green plants take up nitrates ( simple nitrogen compounds) and store the nitrogen away in proteins. undoubtedly many of the compounds built up by the animal and plant would automatically break down after death, yet bacteria hasten the process. in the process of deca…
