Exam 4- The Effect of Arterial Fluid on Bodily Tissues, Tissue Fluids, and Protein Flashcards

1
Q

The long slender protein molecules are chemically bound to the neighboring protein molecules. The formation of all those new chemical bonds between previously unattached proteins that causes tissues to become firm after they have been embalmed.

A

Inter-protein Cross-linking (When Embalming Fluid Contacts Protein)

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2
Q

Taking soluble albumins and altering them to become insoluble albuminoids.

A

Accomplishing Inter-protein Cross-linking

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3
Q

These are the ideal environment for bacterial growth and reproduction.

A

Soluble Albumins

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4
Q

Creates an environment that is not desirable for bacterial growth or reproduction.

A

Insoluble Albuminoids

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5
Q
  • Not to say that these prohibit all growth and reproduction. These are undesirable, not impossible.
  • Eventually, the insoluble albumins will revert to an environment that promotes bacterial growth.
  • Preservation is only temporary to allow family and friends to assemble, pay tribute to the departed person and carryout funeralistic rites and disposition.
A

Insoluble Albuminoids

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6
Q

Caused by several different organic compounds, most of which are rendered inactive by the action of formaldehyde.

A

Foul Odor Associated with Dead Remains

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7
Q

The primary class of compounds associated with odor.

A

Complex Amines (Organic Polyamines)

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8
Q
  • Indole
  • Skatole
  • Putrescine
  • Cadaverine
  • Neurine
A

5 Complex Amines (Organic Polyamines)

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9
Q

Bacterial enzymes also attack the proteins of the body hydrolyzing them into peptides and amino acids. They can also further breakdown amino acids to more simple acids and bases.

A

When Bacterial Are Present

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10
Q

Utilize oxygen in the process of breaking down of substances. They convent proteins to:

  • Organic acids
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Ammonia
A

Aerobic Bacteria

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11
Q

Do not require oxygen. The end products of protein degradation by these organisms are:

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Hydrogen
  • Organic polyamines (complex amines)
A

Anaerobic Bacteria

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12
Q

Will produce an odor when interacting with protein.

A

Both Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria

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13
Q

This kind of decomposition will have a more distinct and pungent odor.

A

Putrefaction

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14
Q

A microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen.

A

Facultative Aerobe

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15
Q

An organism that prefers an oxygen environment but is capable of living and growing in its absence.

A

Facultative Anaerobe

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16
Q

A specialized classification of proteins. An organic catalyst which alters the rate of a biochemical reaction, but is not consumed in the process. Thus, a few molecules of one of these can convert a large amount of reactants into products.

A

Enzyme

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17
Q

May be metabolized by enzymes of various specificities into more simple compounds.

  • Arginase- breaks down arginine
  • Lipase- breaks down lipids
  • Surcrase- breaks down surcrose
A

Virtually Every Substance

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18
Q

Which may influence the rate of a reaction or stop it completely.

A

Enzymes are Sensitive to Changes in pH or Temperature

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19
Q

Enzymes are also vulnerable to this; a reaction important to the emblamer, since failure to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes would result in decomposition of the entire body.

A

Inactivation by Formaldehyde

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20
Q

A postmortem stiffening of the muscles. Starts at the jaw and works downward (Nysten’s Law). In some cases, begins almost instantly after death, in others, it may be delayed for several hours. There are several chemical changes that cause this to occur.

A

Rigor Mortis (Cadavric Rigidity)

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21
Q

This, along with other changes, may cause the plasma pH to drop as low as 5.3. However, the acidification normally observed is between pH 6.0 and sometimes 5.5 pH. This drop in pH cause the soluble muscle proteins, myosin and myosinogen, to coagulate and form myosin-fibrin and myosinogen-fibrin. This coagulation causes the muscles to shrink and rigor is produced.

A

Following Death, Glycogen is Oxidized to Sarcolactic Acid

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22
Q

There are two factors that contribute to the release of rigor.

  1. Acid neutralization by ammonia (NH3), a base which is in decay.
  2. The breakdown of coagulated proteins by hydrolytic (autolytic) enzymes (acid hydrolase).
A

Rigor Mortis Disappears Several Days Later

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23
Q

This process is of great importance in embalming chemistry. Enzymes that accelerate hydrolysis are found in all living matter. During life, the body is always in a constant balance of building tissue and breaking down tissue (Necrobiosis). After death, however, no new tissue is being formed while the enzymes which degrade are still active. The result is a self-degradation termed this.

A

Autolysis

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24
Q

This self-destructive process breaks down proteins into:

  • Peptides
  • Amino acids
  • No gas or foul smelling products are produced.
  • No bacteria are required for this process, the autolytic enzymes are already present in the body tissues.
A

Autolysis- Breaking Down Proteins

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25
Q

A gel or resin is formed.

A

When Formaldehye Gas Reacts with Tissue Protein

26
Q

The protoplasm of the tissue cells is a glue-like colloid whose large molecules also have the ability to arrange themselves in chains or meshes to enclose water molecules and create the appearance of a solid substance. Firmness or tissue fixation occurs when HCHO gas, carried to the tissue cell protoplasm by water, is liberated. The end result is an insoluble albuminoid (hard and firm).

A

When Formaldehye Gas Reacts with Tissue Protein, A Gel or Resin is Formed

27
Q

A liquid at room temperature, significantly less dehydrating and contains many more times disinfectant qualities.

A

Glutaraldehyde

28
Q
  • Every protein is composed of a variable number of amino acids, usually 23 common hooked together by peptide bonds.
  • Amino acids in a protein molecule are rather loosely hooked together; and as decomposition sets in, these acids easily breakdown.
  • It is this easy breakdown of amino acids and the combination of HCHO gas that is responsible for the large variation in embalmed tissue fluid reaction over a space of time. (postmortem interval).
  • The sooner the remains are embalmed, the lesser will be the breakdown of protein and lesser will be the amount of HCHO gas necessary to firm the tissue.
A

Formaldehyde Demand and Postmortem Interal are Interrelated

29
Q

Because these amines have a tendency to combine with water to form hydroxide, which is a stronger base than ammonia. In addition, these amines have the ability to combine with as much as 25 to 100 times more than a normal protein. This is why decomposing bodies during injection seldom firm and always swell. Conversly, a recently deceased remains will form up immediately and will dehydrate and shrivel rather than swell.

A

Simple and complex amines formed as the end products of putrefaction ar ethe most important and destructive o the alkalies

30
Q

Another benefit for the postmortem interval to be minimal.

A

Less Ammonia

31
Q

Used to designate the hydrogen ion concentration of a substance in solution or the relative acidity of a substance.

A

pH

32
Q

A substance which liberates hydrogen ions when in solution.

A

Acid

33
Q

A substance which liberates hydroxyl ions when in solution.

A

Base

34
Q

Determined by the number of ions liberated of either acid or base.

A

Solution Strength

35
Q

The reaction between an acid and a base. The result of such a reaction is salt and water.

A

Neutralization

36
Q

Formed by the reaction between a strong base (alkali) and a weak acid.

A

Alkaline Salts

37
Q
  1. The normal pH of live body tissues are and fluids is 7.4
  2. The pH of body tissues and fluids just after death is 6.5; sometimes as low as 5.0- slightly acid.
  3. Putrefaction is likely to occur at a pH of 8.0
  4. Arterial fluids should have a pH of 7.3- slightly alkaline to mimic blood.
A

The 4 Variations of pH due to Variations in the Amount of Acid or Alkali Present in the Tissues

38
Q

The significance of these in embalming chemistry is that they function as water conditioners, anti-coagulants, buffers, tension reducers, and dating back to Ancient Egypt, as preservatives (NATRON- dated back 4,000 years).

A

Salts

39
Q

These are only two of the many chemicals employed in present day embalming fluids. Among the other chemical substances which are used in such products are compounds commonly known as “salts.”

A

Formalin and alcohol

40
Q
  • Potassium acetate
  • Sodium nitrate
  • Alluminum salts, etc.
A

Examples of Salts

41
Q

They play an important part in determining the characteristics of the different embalming fluids. They also play a role in governing the reactions between the tissues and the preservative ingredients. As the type and amount of each chemical substance used in a solution are changed, a number of special properties of solutions can be controlled.

A

Salts Influence the Chemical Reactions Produced by Preservative Solution

42
Q
  1. Index
  2. Solution volume
  3. Drainage loss
  4. HCHO residual
A

The 4 HCHO Demands that must be Included in all Major Injection Factors

43
Q

Fluid strength in terms of HCHO.

A

Index

44
Q

Primary dilution that is arterial fluid and water (in the machine).

A

Solution Volume

45
Q

Amount of arterial fluid solution lost from the vascular system. (When using angular forceps, there is no control of this).

A

Drainage Loss

46
Q

Amount of HCHO liberated by way of the vascular system into tissue. The amount that remains after injection has stopped in excess of minimum requirements.

A

HCHO Residual

47
Q

Because of close similarity in the chemical make-up if fluids, it was possible in many instances to take the label of one firm’s product and place it on another’s. And the user would not readily distinguish the difference in the fluids from the embalming results obtained.

A

Years Ago (1930’s-1940’s)

48
Q

The difference in the many commercial available chemical preservative solutions may be found among the following factors:

  • pH of the solution
  • Type of buffer materials used to maintain pH
  • Grade of formalin used
  • Type of alcohol
  • Wetting agents (anionic, nonionic, or cationic)
  • Anti-clotting agents
  • Modifiers
  • Physical features such as specific gravity and surface tension, etc.
A

Today

49
Q

This fluid made by one manufacturer today can be expected to be chemically different in composition and even to produce different embalming results from those produced by another firm.

A

The 20-Index Arterial Fluid

50
Q
  • Varying preference in the type of result they desire to accomplish
  • The effect of pathological conditions on the fluids being injected and visa versa
  • The chemical preservative solution may produce varying effects when applied on different cases.
    • A formulation designed for use on edematous subjects and containing a high formaldehyde content can and usually does produce disastrous results when used on a jaundiced case.
A

There is no General Agreement on What Constitutes a “Standard” Embalming Fluid

51
Q

This means each individual chemical ingredient has a specific function to perform and it reacts according to its own concentration, distribution, diffusion and individual activity. Among the main chemicals that are common to all emblaming chemical preservative solutions are formaldehyde and methly alcohol. The rest of the ingredients of a chemical formula used for emblaming vary immensely.

A

Commercial Embalming Fluids are Composed of Various Chemicals and the same Chemicals when used in Different Concentrations may Produce Different Effects

52
Q

This is just as important as the need to replace equipment at frequent intervals and have the proper type of facilities with which to manufacture and compound chemical soutions.

A

The Need to Improve Upon and Make Changes in the General Nature of Formulations

53
Q
  • These changes are occasioned by developements in the technical fields.
  • Suppliers make use of such developments and adapt them in existing products or design new products that incorporate them.
  • The factor makes it unikely that two different “brands” fo fluid will have similar composition.
  • The continuing investigations and studies conducted by the technical staffs of the fluid manufacturers who maintain research laboratories also often result in attention being devoted to some particular compound that produces an innovational effect when blended with special ingredients.
A

Changes to the General Nature of Formulations

54
Q

Just about all of these will give free samples to funeral homes in hopes that you will use their products. They are particularly eager to give samples during conventions.

A

There are More than a Dozen Companies that Make Embalming Chemicals

55
Q
  1. Color
  2. Odor
  3. Viscosity
  4. Clearness
  5. Cloudiness
  6. Density
  7. Hardening power (The degree of firmness to be obtained from the use of the solution)
  8. The acidity or alkalinity of the solution (pH of the medium)
  9. The ease with which the solution penetrates or diffuses.
A

The 9 Qualities or Properties that Chemical Solutions Should Display in AFS

56
Q

In order for a chemical preservative solution to do its work well, it must be this. It’s ingredients must be blended throughly so that all are thoroughly distributed and are small enough to be able to penetrate all of the tissue cells of the body (diffuse).

A

Thoroughly Dissolved

57
Q

The substance that is dissolved in a solution.

A

Solute

58
Q

Liquid containing dissolved substance.

A

Solution

59
Q

A liquid holding another substance in solution.

A

Solvent

60
Q

When the solute and the solvent are completely mixed to be one product.

A

True Solution

61
Q
  1. It causes the coagulation and dehydration of bacterial cell protoplasm rather than the direct poisoning of the bacterium.
  2. The degree of preservation results from the conversion of the soluble albumin into an insoluble albuminoid which is more highly resistant to bacterial action.
A

The Purpose or Principal of HCHO as a Germicide