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Bone marrow can decay; the outer, more solid portion of bones often don't, which is why bones are recovered from archaeological sites or become fossils that in some cases last for hundreds of millions of years, even though the organic component will be completely gone.
However in some cases bones can break down incredibly rapidly. Bone which is left out exposed to the elements and especially sunlight will disappear. Other conditions can also lead to the rapid break down of bone, such as the wet, acidic conditions found in peat bogs which lead to good preservation of soft tissue but break down the bones - hence the "crumpled" look that bog bodies have. Experimental studies have shown that in acidic soils some bone will disappear completely after as little as 9 years.
Ultimately all bone will break down and decay eventually although it is far more durable than other parts of the body in most conditions, and even bone which is fossilised will be broken down by weathering and natural processes eventually.
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Why do human bones not decay?
Human bones do decay, but due to the substances they are made from they are far more durable than many other parts of the body in common conditions.
How long before human bones decay?
The rate at which bone decays is very variable and depends on many different factors. Human bone is often preserved for very long periods due to the fact we bury our dead. This protects the bones from sunlight, wild animals, weathering and other factors which normally make bone break down. Bone may decay in a period as short as 10-20 years.
What is the bones password on mythology island?
Even though there are 15 bones and you have to remove 6, you can still have "ten" - make the bones spell the wordTEN.When you remove bones from each of the three sets of bones, it forms a letter. Two bones make the T, four bones make an E, and three bones make the N.
What are the 5 different stages of fossilization?
1 Death 2 Decay 3 sedimentation 4 Permineratisation 5 Exposure + Extraction
How do you read the bones on mythology island?
"Fifteen bones of ancient men - take away six and still leave ten." What Pan's ghost is telling you is that you have to "read" the bones, as in letters. Remove 6 of the bones, leaving the remaining 9 bones to spell out the capital letters T-E-N.(2 bones make the T, 4 bones make the E, and 3 make the E)
Do rib bones decay?
yes all bones decay
Why didnt the mummy bones decay and the human bones did decay?
the mummy bones didn't decay because they were carefully rapped and used w/ oils.the reason human bones decayed is becausethese weren't carefully wrapped. B-)
Why do human bones not decay?
Human bones do decay, but due to the substances they are made from they are far more durable than many other parts of the body in common conditions.
What Stabilizes bones and makes teeth resistant to decay?
The answer is Calcium.
Does a giant squid have bones?
No. No squid has any bones, not even a giant squid. The only thing that will not decay is the beak.
Why are bones still alive after death?
Because the bones are not connected to your heart, and they are not alive they just do not decay as fast as your skin does.
Which tissues tend to be among the last to decay?
I'd guess: bones.
Are bones permanent?
Bones can decay like any other organic material. Sometimes, however, bones can be preserved in rock - those are called fossils.
Why do you sometimes need to have bones replaced in the knee?
Sometimes your bones may decay or give up. if you still Have them then you can hurt yourself so you have to change it
Why do bodies decay when you die but not when you're alive?
because there flesh goes into the ground and into the soil. There bones are left.
Would teeth decay before bones?
yes because if you have tooth decay it is isn't in the bone is out side it because if u eat sweets or sugary foods your teeth is of and it goes rotten
What chief function mineral in the body is to make teeth resistant to decay and bones resistant to mineral loss?
flouride
