Decay
Organic matter may be defined as material that is capable of decay, or the product of decay (humus), or both. Usually the matter will be the remains of recently living organisms, and may also include still-living organisms. Polymers and plastics, although they may be organic compounds, are usually not considered organic material, due to their poor ability to decompose. A clam's shell, while biotic, would not be considered organic matter by this definition because of its inability to decay.
Read more about this topic: Organic Matter
Famous quotes containing the word decay:
“She is a prude in her own defence ... under the specious mask of propriety, she conceals the decay of her worn-out charms.”
—Molière [Jean Baptiste Poquelin] (1622–1673)