What stops a living body from decomposing or rotting?

Question

What stops a living body from decomposing or rotting?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Decomposition is caused by two major factors:

1. the breaking down of tissues by the body’s own internal chemicals and enzymes
2. the breakdown of tissue by bacteria and other microorganisms

A living body has defenses against these bacteria in the form of the immune system which repel these invaders through a combination of physical barriers and white blood cells. The enzymes and chemicals that breakdown the body tissues, in a process called **autolysis**, are released only after active processes in the cell come to an end.