Chemistry - Glossary Flashcards by H W

a substance that yields hydrogen or hydronium ions in aqueous solution

acids

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a wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat in a body buried in alkaline soil

adipocere / gravewax

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an organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups

aldehyde

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an organic compound containing nitrogen; any compounds formed from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by organic radicals; the general formula for the primary ____ is R-NH2

amines

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the building blocks of proteins; a compound containing an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl (-COOH) group attached to an alpha carbon and a radical

amino acid

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any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in solution

amphoteric

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chemicals used to keep the blood in the liquid state; chemical agents that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous by natural post mortem processes and/or prevent other adverse reactions between the blood and the other embalming chemicals

anticoagulants

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the concentrated, preservative embalming chemicals that will be diluted with water (or another appropriate vehicle such as alcohol) to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial (vascular) system during vascular (arterial) embalming

arterial (vascular) fluid

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the smallest particle of an element that has all the properties of the element

atom

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self-digestion or self-destruction of the body by autolytic enzymes

autolysis

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those chemicals specifically designed for use in the preparation of bodies following an autopsy

autopsy chemicals

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a substance that yields hydroxide ions in aqueous solution

bases

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that branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms

biochemistry

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the rapid passage of liquid particles to the vapor state by forming bubbles through the action of heat; the term for the point of equilibrium between the liquid and gas states of matter and typically employed when the temperature is increasing

boiling

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substances that in solution are capable of neutralizing, within limits, both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original, or constant pH, of the solution

buffers

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a compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen that is an aldehyde or ketone derivative of polyhydroxyl alcohol (sugars, starches, and glycogen)

carbohydrates

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a chemical group composed of one carbon atom double bonded to oxygen

carbonyl group

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concentrated embalming chemicals which are injected into the cavities of the body following aspiration in cavity embalming; these fluids can also be used for surface and hypodermic embalming of the problem areas

cavity fluid

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a change in which a new substance or substances are produced that have entirely different properties from the composition has changed

chemical changes

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characteristics that can be observed when a substance is interacting with other substances resulting in a change of chemical composition

chemical properties

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the branch of natural science that is concerned with the description and classification of matter, with the changes that matter undergoes, and with the energy associated with each of these changes

chemistry

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the process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by heating or by contract with a chemical such as an alcohol or an aldehyde

coagulation

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a solution-like system in which the size of the solute particle is between 1 and 100 nanometers; particles of solute pass through filters but not membranes

colloid

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the rapid oxidation or burning that produces heat and light

combustion

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a substance consisting of two or more atoms combined chemically in definite proportions by mass

compounds

a solution containing a relatively large amount of solute

concentrated solution

a ratio of mass or volume of a solute to the mass or volume of the solution or solvent

concentrations

a change of state of matter from a gas to a liquid

condensation

the process by which a substance is given definite form

crystallization

the gradual decomposition of dead organic matter by the enzymes of aerobic bacteria

decay

the removal of water from a substance; generally used to indicate the natural loss of water, and the term is used when a substance is intentionally caused to lose water

dehydration / desiccation

the disruption and breakdown of the secondary structures of a protein by heat or chemicals

denaturation

chemicals having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one

deodorants

an organic compound containing two aldehyde (-CHO) radicals

dialdehyde

the movement of molecules or other particles in solution from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration until uniform concentration is reached

diffusion

a solution containing relatively small amount of solute

dilute solution

a natural or synthetic compound that is used to impart color to another material

dyes

a simple substance which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means

elements

the study of those types of matter and changes in matter related to the disinfection and preservation of human remains

embalming chemistry

the fluids specifically designed for preservation and disinfection purposes

embalming fluids

a protein that acts as a biological catalyst

enzyme

a compound with the general formula RCOOR' (where R is a hydrocarbon group or a hydrogen and R' is a hydrocarbon group); it is formed from an alcohol and organic (or carboxylic) acid by removal of water (dehydration)

ester

a common name for a triacylglycerol that is a semisolid or solid at room temperature and contains a high percentage of saturated fatty acids

fats

the microbial (enzymatic) decomposition of a carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions

fermentation

formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume

formalin

that amount of formaldehyde necessary to overcome any nitrogen residue and caused the body proteins to become coagulated

formaldehyde demand (glutaraldehyde demand)

a change of state of matter from a liquid to a solid by the loss of heat; the term for the point of equilibrium b between the solid and liquid states and typically employed when the temperature is decreasing

freezing

a state of matter in which the atoms or molecules move about in almost complete freedom from one another; have no definite shape or volume and assume the shape and volume of their container by diffusing uniformly throughout the container

gases

the condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions such as calcium and magnesium

hardness of water

chemicals that increase the capability of embalmed tissues to retain moisture

humectants

a compound in which there is a chemical union between water and certain substances when they crystalize

hydrates

a chemical reaction in which a substance is broken down or dissociated by water; a reaction between a salt and water to yield an acid and a base of unequal strengths

hydrolysis

a solution having a greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared

hypertonic solution

a solution having a lesser concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared

hypotonic solution

the swelling and softening of tissues and organs as a result of absorbing moisture from adjacent sources

imbibition

the strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of solution; usually refers to a percentage

index

that branch of chemistry that studies the properties and reactions of elements, excluding organic or certain carbon-containing compounds

inorganic chemistry

an atomic or molecular species with a positive (cation) or negative (anion) electrical charge; an atom of an element or a group of atoms acting as one unit that has lost or gained an electron or electrons and exhibits a charge

ion

a solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute as the solution to which it is compared

isotonic solution

any class of organic compounds containing the carbonyl group * (C=O) group whose carbon atom is joined to two other carbon atoms; the carbonyl group occurs with the carbon chain

ketones

the amount of a poison (or radiation) that will kill 50% of the group to which it has been administered

lethal dose 50% (LD50)

a substance that flows readily but does not tend to expand indefinitely

liquids

anything that has mass and occupies space

matter

the change in state from a solid to a liquid

melting

an element marked by luster, malleability, ductility, and conductivity of electricity and heat; these elements tend to form positive ions

metal

a combination of two or more substances not chemically united and NOT in definite proportion by mass

mixtures

the smallest does of a poison (or radiation) on record that produces death

minimum lethal dose (MLD)

chemicals for which there may be greatly varying demands predicated upon the type of embalming, the environment and the arterial fluid to be used

modifying agents

the smallest unit of a compound which can exist alone; an aggregation of atoms, specifically a chemical of two or more atoms which for a specific chemical substance

molecule

the reaction of an acid and a base to produce salt and water

neutralization

any element that is not a metal; tend to form negative ions

nonmetal

a common name for a triacylglycerol that is a liquid at room temperature and contains a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids

oils

that branch of chemistry that deals with certain carbon-containing compounds

organic chemistry

the passage of pure solvent from a solution of lesser solute concentration to one of greater solute concentration when the two solutions are separated by a semi-permeable membrane which selectively prevents the passage of solute molecules but it is permeable to the solvent

osmosis

a compound consisting of oxygen combined with only one other element

oxides

a method of expressing low concentrations

parts per million (ppm)

a bond formed from a dehydration reaction between the amino group on one amino acid with the carboxyl (organic acid) group on the other amino acid

peptide bond

the tabular arrangement of the elements in order of increasing atomic number; this arrangement allows the columns of elements to represent the periodic recurrence of similar properties

periodic table

a change in the form or state of matter without any change in chemical composition

physical changes

properties of a substance that are observed without a change in chemical composition, which include color, odor, taste, solubility, density, hardness, melting point, and boiling point

physical properties

any substance that imperils health or life when absorbed into the body

poison

the linking together of monomers or basic chemical units to form a polymer

polymerization

fluids designed to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute with greater facility

pre-injection fluids / primary injection / capillary wash

components of embalming solutions used to inactivate the active chemical groups of proteins and amino acids; to inhibit decomposition; to kill microorganisms; destroy odors and eliminate their further formation; and to inactivate enzymes

preservatives

the first or initial injection, may or may not contain preservatives

primary injection / pre-injection

characteristics by which substances may be identified

properties

a biological component that is a polymer of many amino acids

protein

the decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria

putrefaction

surface-active agents that are generally used for disinfection of skin, oral, and nasal cavities, as well as instruments

quaternary ammonium compounds

supplemental fluids that may enhance arterial fluids by the addition of special chemicals such as humectants

restorative fluids

any group of substances that result form the reaction between acids and bases other than water

salts

the reaction between a fat and a strong base to produce glycerol and the salt of a fatty acid (soap)

saponification

a solution containing all of the solute the solvent is able to hold at a certain temperature and pressure

saturated solution

that injection taking place after the primary injection (first injection or pre-injection)

secondary injection

a compound whose hydrolytic products are fatty acids and alcohols

simple lipids

the condensed state of matter having a definite shape and volume

solids

the conversion of a liquid or a gas into a solid form

solidification

the measure of how well two substances mix

solubility

a substance dissolved in a solvent to form a solution; the component of a solution present in a lesser amount

solute

a homogeneous mixture of one or more substances (solutes) dissolved in a sufficient quantity of solvent

solution

a substance that does the dissolving in a solution; the component of a solution present in a greater amount

solvent

a physical property of matter (solid, liquid, or gas); condition of phase in the physical composition of a substance at a given temperature and pressure

state of matter

a physical change of state during which a substance changes directly from a solid to a gas

sublimation

fluid injected for the purposes other than preservation and disinfection; generally fall into one of three categories: pre-injection, co-injection, and humectants or restorative fluids

supplemental fluids / accessory fluids

additional germicides added to embalming fluids

supplementary germicides

the material upon which an enzyme works

substrate

the force that acts on the surface of a liquid and tends to minimize surface area

surface tension

chemicals that will reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid and thereby enable it to flow through smaller apertures

surfactants / surface tension reducers / wetting agents / penetrating agents

a mixture of solute and solvent in which the size of the solute particles is greater than 100 nanometers; particles of solute do not pass through filters or membranes

suspension

the study of those physical and chemical changes in the human body that are caused by the process of death

thanatochemistry

a poisonous substance produced by higher plants, animals, or pathogenic bacteria that is toxic (poisonous) to humans

toxin

a solution containing less of the solute than can be held in solution by the solvent

unsaturated solution

the neutralization product of formaldehyde by ammonia - C6H12N4

urotropin / methenamine

the physical change from a liquid to a gas

vaporization

liquids that serve as solvents for the numerous ingredients incorporated in embalming solutions; generally, water and sometimes alcohol

vehicles

the resistance that a liquid exhibits to the flow of one layer over another arising from the molecular attraction between the molecules of a liquid

viscosity

a type of lipid formed from the combination of unsaturated and/or saturated fatty acids and high molecular weight alcohols (not glycerol)

wax