Exam 4 Notes Flashcards
(226 cards)
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