Exam 4 Notes Flashcards
Chemically, when embalming solution contacts protein, the long slender protein molecules are chemically bound to the neighboring protein molecules. This is called
Inter-protein crosslinking
The formation of new chemical bonds between previously unattached proteins causes tissues to do what?
Become firm
Firmness is accomplished by taking soluble albumins and altering them to become what?
Insoluble Albuminoids
This is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and reproduction
Soluble Albumins
These create an environment that is not desirable for bacterial growth and reproduction
Insoluble Albuminoids
Is it possible for bacteria to grow and reproduce in an insoluble albuminoid environment?
Yes it is possible, just undesirable
Eventually, what will happen to the insoluble albuminoids?
They will revert to albumins
Dead remains often have a foul odor associated with them. What causes this?
Several different organic compounds
What does formaldehyde do to most of the organic compounds?
Inactivated
List the 5 Complex amines aka Organic Polyamines that are the primary class of compounds associated with odor
Indole Skatole Putrescine Cadaverine Neurine
When bacteria are present, bacterial enzymes also attack the proteins of the body, hydrolyzing them into these
Peptides and amino acids
Aerobic bacteria utilize oxygen in the process of breaking down substances, converting proteins into these
Organic Acids
Carbon Dioxide
Ammonia
Anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen. The end products of protein degradation by anaerobic organisms are
Carbon Dioxide
Hydrogen
Organic Polyamines
Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria will produce this when interacting with proteins
An Odor
Enzymes are a specialized classification of what?
Proteins
An organic catalyst which alters the rate of a biochemical reaction, but is not consumed in the process
Enzyme
A few molecules of an enzyme can convert a large amount of reactants into what?
Products
Virtually every substance in the body may be metabolized by enzymes of various specificities into what?
More Simple Compounds
The enzyme arginase breaks down the amino acid
Arginine
The enzymes lipase breaks down
Lipids
The enzyme sucrase breaks down
Sucrose
Enzymes are sensitive to changes in
pH or temperature
Enzymes are vulnerable to inactivation by
Formaldehyde
Failure to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes would result in what?
Decomposition of the entire body
A postmortem stiffening of the muscles
Rigor Mortis
Where does rigor start?
In the jaw and works it’s way downward
Following death, glycogen is oxidized to
Sarcolactic acid
Sarcolactic acid may cause the plasma pH to drop as low as
5.3
The acidification normally observed is between
6-5.5
The drop in pH causes the soluble muscle proteins, myosin and myosinogen, to coagulate and form what?
Myosin-fibrin and Myosinogen-fibrin
Coagulation of protein causes the muscles to ____
shrink
The shrinking of muscles causes what?
Rigor mortis
Rigor Mortis disappears ______ later
1-6 days
There are two factors that contribute to the release of rigor. What are they?
Acid neutralization by ammonia and the breakdown of coagulated proteins by hydrolytic enzymes
This process is of great importance to embalming chemistry
Autolysis
Enzymes that accelerate this are found in all living matter
Hydrolysis
During life, the body is always in a constant balance of building tissue and breaking down tissue. This is known as
Necrobiosis
After death, no new tissue is being formed while enzymes that do this are still active
Degrade
The result of no new formation of new tissue while enzymes degrading still active in a dead body is self-degradation termed ________
Autolysis
This self-destructive process of autolysis breaks down proteins into
Peptides and amino acids
When formaldehyde gas reacts with tissue protein, what is formed?
A gel or resin
The protoplasm of the tissue cells is what?
A Glue-Like Colloid
The protoplasm of the tissue cells have large molecules that have the ability to arrange themselves into
Chains and meshes
The meshes and chains formed by the protoplasm of the tissue cells enclose water molecules to create the appearance of what?
A solid substance
This occurs when HCHO gas, carried to the tissue cell protoplasm by water, is liberated
Firmness or Tissue Fixation
This is a liquid at room temperature, significantly less dehydrating, and contains many more times disinfectant qualities than formaldehyde
Gluteraldehyde
If gluteraldehyde has so many more benefits than formaldehyde, then why do we still use formaldehyde?
HCHO is safer and creates the firmness that embalmers are used to
Every protein is composed of a variable number of amino acids, usually ____ hooked together by peptide bonds
20
How many total amino acids are there?
26
Amino acids in a protein molecule are rather loosely hooked together, and as this sets in, these acids easily breakdown
Decomposition
Decomposition time from death to embalming is called what?
Postmortem Interval
The sooner the remains are embalmed, the lesser will be the breakdown of protein, and the lesser this will be
HCHO demand
These are the most important and destructive of the alkalies
Simple and complex amines formed as the end products of putrefaction
The simple and complex amines formed as the end products of putrefaction have a tendency to combine with water to form hydroxide, which is a stronger base than
Ammonia
Decomposing bodies during injection seldom firm and always do what?
Swell
A recently deceased remains will firm up immediately and will
Dehydrate and shrivel
Ammonia does what to formaldehyde
Neutralizes
An acid is a substance which ________ hydrogen ions when in solution
Liberates
Solution strength is determined by this
The number of ions liberated of either acid or base
Neutralization is the reaction between what?
An acid and a base
The result of neutralization is what?
Salt and water
Alkaline salts are formed by the reaction between what?
A strong base and a weak acid
The normal pH of live body tissues and fluids is
7.4
The pH of body tissues and fluids just after death is
6.5
The pH of body tissues and fluids just after death can get as low as
5.0
Putrefaction is likely to occur at a pH of
8.0
Arterial fluids should have a pH of
7.3 (Slightly alkaline)
What do salts function as in embalming chemistry?
Water conditioners Anti-Coagulants Buffers Tension Reducers Preservatives
These are two of the many chemicals employed in present day embalming fluids
Formalin and alcohol
Examples of compounds called salts used in embalming chemicals are
Potassium Acetate
Sodium Nitrate
Aluminum Salts
Salts influence this produced by the preservative solution
Chemical Reactions
Fluid strength in terms of HCHO
Index
Primary dilution that is arterial fluid and water in the machine
Solution Volume
Amount of arterial fluid solution lost from the vascular system
Drainage Loss
Amount of HCHO liberated by way of the vascular system into the tissue
HCHO residual
The amount that remains after injection has stopped in excess of minimum requirements
HCHO residual
Commercial embalming fluids are composed of various chemicals, but the same embalming chemicals, when used in different concentrations, may produce
Different Effects
List the 9 qualities or properties that chemical solutions should display in AFS
Color Odor Viscosity Clearness Density Hardening Power pH Penetrability/Diffusibility
In order for a chemical preservative solution to do its work well, it must be thoroughly what?
Dissolved
The substance that is dissolved in a solution
Solute
Liquid containing dissolved substance
Solution
A liquid holding another substance in solution
Solvent
When the solute and the solvent are completely mixed to be one product
True Solution
HCHO as a germicide causes this
Coagulation and dehydration of the bacterial cell protoplasm
The degree of preservation results from the conversion of the soluble albumin into an insoluble albuminoid, which is more highly resistant to what?
Bacterial Action
The organs contained in the thoracic and abdominal cavities must receive supplementary treatment. Fluids formulated for this are called what?
Cavity Fluids
How many basic differences are there between cavity fluid and arterial fluids in terms of composition
6
Cavity fluids contain a much higher concentration of these
Disinfectants and preservative
Cavity fluids generally do not contain what?
Modifying Agents
Active Dyes
Deodorants
Cavity fluids often contain this bleaching agent
Phenol
Phenol and HCHO can be combined together, but how?
Never a 50/50 mix. Must be disproportionate
Some cavity fluids contain inactive dyes in order to prevent what for the embalmer?
Confusion between arterial and cavity fluids
Inactive dyes are often what color?
Blue
Cavity fluids rapidly fix and disinfect what?
Viscera and all tissue surfaces within the body cavity
Cavity fluids can be used in surface embalming as what?
A preservative pack and a surface bleaching agent
Cavity fluid is to be used how?
Undiluted
When should cavity fluid be used internally?
After thorough aspiration of the viscera
Cavity fluid is to be _________ over, under, and around all tissue and organs
Gravitated
How does the embalmer know how much is enough aspiration?
The abdomen has a substantial reduction after aspiration
For the purposes of testing, how much cavity fluid should be used?
One bottle per 50 lbs
Practically, how much cavity fluid should be used?
Usually 1-3 bottles depending on the circumstances
The cavity fluid should be gravitated to what areas?
Pelvic/pubic area
Abdominal area
Thoracic area
Fluids move to where?
The area of least resistance
Because fluids move to the least resistance, the embalmer should inject a little more cavity fluid where?
Superiorly and superficially
Why should more cavity fluid be injected superiorly and superficially?
It will gravitate to the inferior and deep areas
Cavity fluid is classified how?
Non-fuming and Fuming
Non fuming cavity fluid has little or no noticeable odor. Why?
Lower index
Fumes released slower
Deodorants
The chemical components that are comprised in non-fuming cavity fluids are
Masking perfumes and oils (deodorants)
Modifying agents
HCHO Donor Compounds
What modifying agents are found in Cavity Fluids?
Buffers
Inorganic Salts
Sodium Carbonates and Borates
Most cavity fluids are composed of what?
Preservatives
Germicides
Surfactants or surface active agents
What preservatives are found in cavity fluids?
Formaldehyde Phenol Alcohols Inorganic Acids Other Aldehydes
What Germicides are found in cavity fluids?
Phenol
QUATS
Roccal and Zephiran Chloride
What surfactants are found in cavity fluid
Surfactants
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity fluids
Accessory Chemicals
Most accessory chemicals are applied where?
To the surface of the body
Anything not injected arterially or cavity fluid
Accessory chemicals
List the examples of accessory chemicals
Hardening compounds Preservative Powders Sealing Agents Mold Preventative Agents Surface Compresses
Fluids diluted with water to form a chemical solution used to prepare the body tissues and the vascular system for the arterial fluid solution
Pre-Injection Fluids
Pre-injection fluids are also called
Capillary Wash
Clot Disperser
What are examples of pre-injection fluids?
Anti-Coagulants
Water Conditioners
Pre and co injection fluids attempt to dissolve blod clots and prevent what?
Further postmortem clotting
Both anti-coagulants and water conditioners do what?
Lubricate the vessels
Break up clots
Prevent clots
Only water conditioners do what?
Treat the minerals in the water
The purpose of pre and coinjection fluids are to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to have
Greater Distribution
This would be an example of a situation calling for pre-injection
A lengthy post mortem interval
Modifying agents only come in one way
Pre-mixed in the bottle
What are the components of modifying agents?
Surfactants Water conditioning agents Anti-coagulants Perfumes Humectants Low concentration of preservative Dyes Buffers Vehicles
These are essentially humectant and formaldehyde controlling chemicals added to an arterial fluid solution forming a homogenous mixture
Co-injection fluid
The purpose of a co-injection is to restore the vitally essential non-coagulating hydrophilic agents of the arterial fluid and to bolster all of the chemical ingredients contained in arterial fluid with the exception of this
Preservative Germicidal ingredients
Similar chemicals combine to make a one in the same mixture
Homogenous mixture
The composition of a co-injection and pre-injection are normally identical, the only difference is what?
When you use them
What are the special pre-coinjection fluids
Water conditioners
Drug and stain removers
Jaundice preparation fluids
Edema reducing fluids
This fluid is more viscous and heavier in comparison to other pre-coinjection fluids
Humectants
Humectants can not be used as this
Pre-injection
These retain body moisture and retard dehydration in the soft tissue areas
Humectants
The injection and drainage sites should be what?
Femoral artery and femoral vein and right internal jugular vein
The components of a humectant are
Glycerol Glycol Sorbitol Emulsifiers Lanolin Derivatives Natural and Synthetic Gums
The general rule for humectants is that they should only be used as a coinjection and added to the arterial solution when?
After initial injection has been completed and all surface discolorations have been cleared
Humectant fluid should be used when?
When holding the remains for an unusually long period of time and when shipping the remains out of state to prevent dehydration
Jaundice fluids are also called
Icterus Fluids
Jaundice fluids only attempt to hide the jaundice by
Counter Staining or bleaching
The purpose of jaundice fluid is to prevent the conversion of yellow bilirubin to green biliverdin or the production of what?
Some undesirable pigmentation
The components of jaundice fluid are
Vehicle Low HCHO content Reducing Agent Bleaching Agents Counter staining compounds
What artery should be used with Jaundice fluids
Femoral
What drainage points should be used for Jaundice fluids
Right internal jugular and right femoral
Many jaundice fluids are two step or combination fluids mixed at use and sold as separate formulations. The two steps are
Arterial fluid with dye
Bleaching agent
What causes bilirubin to turn to biliverdin
High index fluid
Acidic environment
What is the primary concern for embalming a jaundice case
Preservation
Fluids with an unusually high content of preservative and germicides, usually bolstered by ethanol
High index aka special preservative fluid
What is the index range for high index fluid
30-40
High index fluids are used for what cases?
Edema Drowning Obese Cases Decomposition Restorative Art Holding remains for long periods
The danger with high index fluids is what?
Over dehydration
Where is over dehydration especially noticeable?
Eyelids
Lips
Fingertips
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity fluids
Accessory Chemicals
Germicidal, preservative, and dehydrating agents in a dry powdered form
Hardening Compound
Direct contact chemicals used to treat the viscera
Hardening Compound
A light sprinkling of this powder over all inner surfaces will deter putrefaction
Hardening Compound
These start as aseptic, speedily turn to septic, and often find streptococcus and staphylococcus infections
Decubitus Ulcers
Disinfectants and preservative examples are
Paraformaldehyde
Aluminum chloride
Alum ka
Phenol crystals
You should never buy this kind of hardening compound
Plaster of paris based
Also called mold preventative agents
Basically a phenol in nature combined with penetrating agents in a gel or thick liquid form
Preservative Gels
The phenol ingredient in gel prevents what?
Mold
What does HCHO do to mold?
Not a damn thing
This kills mold and is most common in phenol
Paradichlorobenzene
Highly germicidal agents in a dry powder form
Preservative/Embalming powders
Preservative powders contain volatile agents and disinfect largely by these that they liberate
Chemical fumes
Does preservative powder need to be in direct contact with the tissue to effect preservation?
Not necessarily
Where should preservative powders be placed?
Inside the unionall
Preservative powder contain none of these
Moisture absorbing fillers
Preservative powders contain these
Fungicidal agents that will inhibit mold growth
Preservative powders contain only what?
Active germicides and fungicides
Powders, creams, sprays, and liquid gels utilized to prevent leakage after injection of the remains
Sealing agents
The purpose of sealing compounds is to provide a barrier or seal against what?
Any type of leakage of fluid or blood
Sealing compounds are classified as what?
Moisture absorbers and Adhesives
These should be used in combination with non absorbent cotton or other fillers
Moisture Absorbers
There are two kinds of moisture absorbing sealing agents. They are what?
Powders
Creams
These rapidly absorb all moisture in the area and then form a glue like substance which inhibits leakage
Powders
Powders are dehydrated ____ that are water soluble and turn to glue when they contact moisture
Gums
Powders are put where?
Inside the incisions
These are clay-like creams similar to putty or caulk that react with moisture to form a kind of cement
Creams or clays
Used to paint over or mask incisions, cavities, or raw surfaces
Liquid Adhesives
Liquid Adhesives are applied where?
To the Surface
There are two kind of adhesives. What are they?
Sprays and liquids
These are usually some kind of plastic or resinous substance in an aerosol can which is sprayed over the area
Sprays
Glues that are applied with a brush applicator, attached to the top, to the area
Liwuids
Liquids are mostly gels made of what?
Resin
Lacquer
Creosote
Glue derived from animal fat
A gel when is contact with moisture will eventually become hard as it dries, which is known as
Coagulation
Most Sealing compounds do not contain preservatives, but if they do, they are what?
Phenol and cresol
Cavity fluid is generally what kind of index?
Higher
Cavity fluid often has bleaching agents in them, namely what?
Phenol
A pack application is also called?
Surface Pack
Cavity Pack
Liquids or gels that are usually available in spray or pack form
Pack Application
Surface Pack
Cavity Pack
Cavity packs contain what?
Strong Preservatives
Dehydrating preparations
Where are pack applications applied?
To body surfaces
The purpose of a cavity pack is to do what?
Dry and harden lesions/excisions as well as cavities
Preservation
Do all cavity fluids have bleaching agents?
No
You can use arterial fluids as a surface application, but what cannot be in it?
Active Dyes
What are the components of a pack application?
Coagulating agents
Preservatives
Vehicles
Perfumes
What is the most common vehicle in a pack application?
Alcohol
What kind of preservatives are found in a pack application?
Phenols, cresols, aldehydes
What are the three types of pack applications?
Sprays (Aerosol Can)
Preservative Jelly
Good bleaching cavity fluid used with absorbent cotten
A preservative jelly normally contains what?
Phenol
Phenol is a great what?
Mold Preventative
Because preservative jelly contains phenol, what does that make preservative jelly?
A great mold preventative
List the uses of pack applications?
Bleaching Agent Deter further desquamation Treat gangrene Pustular and ulcerative lesions Surface or osmotic embalming Dry and harden lesions Reducing Agent Dry, harden and preserve excisions, skin flaps, cavity walls on autopsied
When should scabs be removed
Before embalming
Per the exams, any kind of cyst, lesion, carbuncle, etc must be lanced when?
Prior to embalming
The purpose of these is to offset and lighten the tissues affected by postmortem stain
Bleaching Agents
How are bleaching agents applied?
Surface packs
Hypodermic injection
Co-injection
The components of bleaching agents are?
Phenol
Cresols
Oxidizing agents
This is used to hypodermically inject water glass, silicone, or massage cream into the layers of the tissue to build up the natural contours of the face and hands
Tissue Builder
When should tissue builder be injected?
After Embalming
Triple base fluid is composed of
Phenol
Alcohol
HCHO
Triple base fluid must be used in disproportionate quantities because
Phenol and HCHO don’t mix well
Double based fluid is composed of
Phenol and HCHO or Alcohol and HCHO
What role do preservatives play in temporary preservation?
Inactivate saprophytic bacteria
Render the medium for which bacteria survive less desirable
Alter enzymes and lysins of the tissues to make them less susceptible to deomposition
What do germicides act directly on?
The protein of which the microbe lives
Some bacteria but not usually spores
Some preserving chemicals may also act as what?
Germicides
What are the 2 types of dyes?
Active
Passive (Inactive)
These impart a stain into the tissue to create a more life-like appearance in the deceased
Active Dyes
These are used so that the embalmer can easily distinguish the difference of various chemicals
Passive (Inactive) Dyes
The most common color for a passive dye is what?
Blue
What are the purposes of water conditioners?
Help keep blood in a liquid state
Reduce minerals in water
Help break up clots and prevent further clots
Active dyes are most effective when they are in a slightly ______ environment
Alkaline (Basic)
HCHO preserves better in a slightly ________ environment
Alkaline (Basic)
List the various accessory chemicals
Hardening compounds Preservative Powders Sealing Agents Mold Preventative Agents Surface Compresses
