week 2

Question 1

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

Answer 1

decomposition

Question 2

review of the biomolecules (3)

Answer 2

1. proteins are responsible for body movements, form skin, bones, and muscles, and are made up of amino acids
2. carbs store energy in our bodies
3. lipids store energy and are a compontent

Question 3

types of decomposition (8)

Answer 3

1. autolysis
2. fermentation
3. saccharolysis
4. proteolysis
5. putrefaction
6. decay
7. lipolysis
8. hydrolysis

Question 4

self destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance

Answer 4

autolysis

Question 5

the microbial (enzymatic) decomposition of carbs under anaerobic conditions

Answer 5

fermentation

Question 6

decomposition of sugars

Answer 6

saccharolysis

Question 7

decomposition of proteins

Answer 7

proteolysis

Question 8

decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria

Answer 8

putrefaction

Question 9

decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria

Answer 9

decay

Question 10

decomposition of fats

Answer 10

lipolysis

Question 11

decomposition with water as one of the reactants

Answer 11

hydrolysis

Question 12

signs of decomposition (5)

Answer 12

1. color change
2 odor
3 purge
4. gases
5. desquamation

Question 13

products of decomposition (3)

Answer 13

1. amino acids
2. fatty acids
3. ptomaines

Question 14

building blocks of proteins

Answer 14

amino acids

Question 15

product of decomposition of fats

Answer 15

fatty acids

Question 16

any one of a group of nitrogenous organic compounds formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria on proteins

Answer 16

ptomaines

Question 17

factors influencing decomp intrinsic (6)

Answer 17

1. age
2. sex
3. body weight
4. cause and manner of death
5. bacterial and parasitic activity
6. pharmaceutical agents

Question 18

factors influencing decomp extrinsic (3)

Answer 18

1. air, moisture levels, temperature
   - minimum 32 degrees F
   - optimum temp is 98 degrees F
   - max temp is 120 F
2. bacterial and parasitic activity
3. vermin and insects

Question 19

order of decomp (5)

Answer 19

1. carbs are first to decompose
2. soft proteins, like in muscles are next to decompose
3. fats decompose after soft proteins
4. hard proteins are the next to go, like in hair and nails
5. lastly are bones

Question 20

pH shift (to acidic) (2)

Answer 20

1. metabolism continues after death

2. production of metabolites with no way to eliminate them creates an acidic environment

Question 21

pH shift (to basic) (4)

Answer 21

1. proteins break down releasing nitrogen into the body
2. this is not uniform throughout the body
3. may have “microenvironment” with different pH levels throughout the body
4. temperature can also have an affect on pH levels

Question 22

• 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

Answer 22

rigor mortis

Question 23

rigor mortis process (5)

Answer 23

1. muscle movement is a process that occurs at the cellular level
2. involves 3 key players; actin, myosin and ATP
3. without ATP, muscles remain “locked”
4. rigor remains until proteins are broken down or until the cross-link bridges are broken down via the embalmer massaging the tissue
5. more muscle tissue = more rigor

Question 24

factors influencing rigor mortis (5)

Answer 24

1. temperature
2. age
3. gender
4. cause of death
5. condition of muscles

Question 25

extravascular discoloration that occurs when heme seeps through the vessel walls and into body tissues

• chemical change
• heme is released because of hemolysis
• usually present in dependent tissues

Answer 25

post mortem stain

Question 26

post mortem caloricity (3)

Answer 26

vascular circulation stops with death

• shortly after a non traumatic death, body temp increases
• increase in body temp can also be further increased because of a pathological condition

Question 27

rise in body temperature after death due to continued cellular metabolism

Answer 27

postmortem caloricity