rigor mortis- lqc 1a

Question 1

rigor mortis definition

Answer 1

stiffness of death

Question 2

process of rigor mortis- step 1

Answer 2

1) after death, muscle cells become starved of oxygen and aerobic respiration stops

Question 3

process of rigor mortis- step 2

Answer 3

2) due to lack of oxygen, respiration becomes anaerobic and produces lactic acid

Question 4

process of rigor mortis- step 3

Answer 4

3) the pH of the cells fall, inhibiting enzyme activity which stops anaerobic respiration

Question 5

process of rigor mortis- step 4

Answer 5

4) ATP is no longer produced, this prevents the bonds between muscle proteins breaking

Question 6

process of rigor mortis- step 5

Answer 6

5) the proteins can no longer slide over each other to shorten or relax the muscle, this fixes the muscle and joints in positions

Question 7

which muscles will stiffen and then pass through rigor more quickly

Answer 7

the smaller ones

Question 8

what temperatures can bring on and cause rigor to pass more quickly

Answer 8

an increased ambient temperature, if the person has been physically active before death (less atp)

Question 9

what happens to cause the rigor to pass

Answer 9

the muscle tissue starts to go through decomposition

Question 10

how long is rigor mortis useful for determining time of death

Answer 10

3-48 hrs