week 2 Flashcards
separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes
- breakdown of 3 major biochemicals ; proteins, carbs, and lipids
- proteins are essential for embalming
- body undergoes several different types
decomposition
review of the biomolecules (3)
- proteins are responsible for body movements, form skin, bones, and muscles, and are made up of amino acids
- carbs store energy in our bodies
- lipids store energy and are a compontent
types of decomposition (8)
- autolysis
- fermentation
- saccharolysis
- proteolysis
- putrefaction
- decay
- lipolysis
- hydrolysis
self destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance
autolysis
the microbial (enzymatic) decomposition of carbs under anaerobic conditions
fermentation
decomposition of sugars
saccharolysis
decomposition of proteins
proteolysis
decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria
putrefaction
decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria
decay
decomposition of fats
lipolysis
decomposition with water as one of the reactants
hydrolysis
signs of decomposition (5)
1. color change 2 odor 3 purge 4. gases 5. desquamation
products of decomposition (3)
- amino acids
- fatty acids
- ptomaines
building blocks of proteins
amino acids
product of decomposition of fats
fatty acids
any one of a group of nitrogenous organic compounds formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria on proteins
ptomaines
factors influencing decomp intrinsic (6)
- age
- sex
- body weight
- cause and manner of death
- bacterial and parasitic activity
- pharmaceutical agents
factors influencing decomp extrinsic (3)
- air, moisture levels, temperature
- minimum 32 degrees F
- optimum temp is 98 degrees F
- max temp is 120 F - bacterial and parasitic activity
- vermin and insects
order of decomp (5)
- carbs are first to decompose
- soft proteins, like in muscles are next to decompose
- fats decompose after soft proteins
- hard proteins are the next to go, like in hair and nails
- lastly are bones
pH shift (to acidic) (2)
- metabolism continues after death
2. production of metabolites with no way to eliminate them creates an acidic environment
pH shift (to basic) (4)
- proteins break down releasing nitrogen into the body
- this is not uniform throughout the body
- may have “microenvironment” with different pH levels throughout the body
- temperature can also have an affect on pH levels
- postmortem stiffening of the muscles by natural body processes
- happens within few hours of death, lasts for few days
- duration is dependent on multiple variables
- helps us determine time between death and embalming
rigor mortis
rigor mortis process (5)
- muscle movement is a process that occurs at the cellular level
- involves 3 key players; actin, myosin and ATP
- without ATP, muscles remain “locked”
- rigor remains until proteins are broken down or until the cross-link bridges are broken down via the embalmer massaging the tissue
- more muscle tissue = more rigor
factors influencing rigor mortis (5)
- temperature
- age
- gender
- cause of death
- condition of muscles
