A student investigated the rate of decomposition of organic waste in a home compost bin over several weeks. During the first fortnight, intense microbial activity caused the temperature inside the compost bin to rise, eventually peaking at 74∘C74^\circ\text{C}74∘C. Following this peak, the student observed that the rate of decomposition decreased dramatically and virtually ceased.
Explain why the rate of decomposition decreased significantly when the temperature inside the compost bin reached 74∘C74^\circ\text{C}74∘C.
