Don't look at this deck (Just Kidding look at this deck)- Final Review Flashcards
What is the difference between preservatives and germicides?
Preservatives Kill Spores, Germicides do not.
Often used in combination with aldehydes as preservatives. These alcohols have the ability to cross-link proteins, but to a lesser extent than aldehydes.
Lesser Alcohols- Methanol, Ethanol and Isopropyl Alcohol
This is used more often than ethanol because of its dual ability to:
- Act as a methylene group donor for the cross-linking
- Function as an anti-polymerizing agent preventing formaldehyde to precipitate and forming para-formaldehyde.
Methanol
A colorless, poisonous liquid which is a good solvent, especially for HCHO, and it has some antiseptic and preservative qualities.
Methanol
A clear and colorless liquid which can be used as a dehydrating agent as well as a vehicle coagulating and preserving tissues.
Ethanol
Mixture of alkylbenzyldimethyl ammonium chlorides. It and several very similar mixtures are used in the embalming laboratory, in solutions for sterilization of instruments (cold sterilization)- ky (Surfactants).
Benzalknoium Chloride
A very mild antiseptic added to embalming fluid. It helps regulate the acid-base balance (a buffer pair).
Boric Acid
A red dye from the action of bromine on fluorescein. It is very commonly used in arterial fluids. (active dye)- synthetic.
Eosin
A solvent and disinfectant in embalming fluid. It is noted for its ability to dehydrate tissues.
Ethanol
A preservative found in embalming fluid. It is also a disinfectant. It reacts with proteins, causing them to become firm and more resistant to bacteria. Inhibits autolytic enzymes. It is a gas at room temperature.
Formaldehyde
40% HCHO solution by volume and 37% HCHO by weight.
Formalin
A preservative found in embalming fluid. Unlike formaldehyde, this contains two aldehyde groups on every molecule. For this reason, it is called a dialdehyde. Combines with proteins in such a way as to make them very resistant to attack by bacteria. It also inhibits the enzymes which cause autolysis (acid hydrolose). It is used in several arterial and cavity fluids. Unlike formaldehyde, this is liquid at room temperature. (It was one of the three disinfectants on Apollo XI when it returned from the moon).
Glutaraldehyde
A modifying agent. A thick liquid often added to embalming fluids. Its purpose is to increase the solubility of various compounds, to delay the firming action of formaldehyde, and to serve as a humectant.
Glycerol (Glycerin)
An inorganic salt added to embalming fluid to help preserve the acid-base balance, to keep the blood from clotting and in some instances, for hypertonic effect. (Never put directly in the machine, pre-dissolve first). Used as an anti-coagulant.
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)
All embalming fluids will contain this since it is so closely associated with the manufacture of formalin. Some fluids contain extra amounts of this because it stabilizes formalin and because it is both a solvent and a germicide. It is used to prevent formalin from forming paraformaldehyde.
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol, Wood Alcohol)