What happens to the atoms in an organism after it dies?

Atoms are the building blocks of matter. They, quite literally, make our universe what it is. When we die, our bodies do not turn into nothing; rather, they are broken down into their constituent parts and recycled into the ecosystem. In short, our atoms go on long after we are gone.

Where do my atoms go?

When you sweat, exhale, and either secrete or excrete matter from your body, those atoms go back into Earth’s biosphere, where they can eventually wind up getting incorporated into other people’s bodies.

What happens to atoms when an organism dies?

After an organism dies, the atoms continue to behave in different ways. Generally they diffuse over time to the environment in a process known as ‘decay”. Given lots of time, there may be no sign that there was ever an organism there are all, as all the atoms have gone on to become parts of other organisms, or rocks, or air, or whatever.

What happens to your body when you die?

However, once you die, your immune system stops working. So your bacteria now have a field day consuming all the tissues in your body. The bacteria metabolize all the soft tissues and use it for energy and reproduction. Other gases besides Carbon Dioxide and Water vapor are also produced. Proteins in your body for example have nitrogen atoms.

What happens to the universe when you die?

In death, the collection of atoms of which you are composed (a universe within the universe) are repurposed. Those atoms and that energy, which originated during the Big Bang, will always be around.

Why do atoms come and go in our bodies?

Most of your atoms come and go and do their thing. When you eat and breathe, it is not just for energy. It is for replacement atoms (and molecules) you need to make the genetic pattern of your body persist. In a way your body is continually dying and continually striving to rebuild itself.