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organisms chapter 7
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is homeostasis, and why is it important? | Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions; it’s essential for survival. |
| How do cells, tissues, organs, and systems work together to maintain homeostasis? | They regulate processes like temperature, pH, and fluid balance to keep the body stable. |
| How do microorganisms play a role in maintaining homeostasis? | They aid in immunity, digestion, and outcompeting harmful bacteria |
| What is the microbiome and how does it affect the body before and after death? | The microbiome is the collection of helpful bacteria in the body; it supports health and contributes to decomposition after death. |
| What causes death on a biological level? | Failure to maintain homeostasis due to aging, disease, or trauma. |
| What does ante-mortem mean, and how long can this period last? | Ante-mortem means before death; it can last minutes to days depending on the cause. |
| What is peri-mortem and how is it different from ante-mortem? | Peri-mortem refers to the time just before or during death, whereas ante-mortem is any time before death. |
| What is the agonal period? | The agonal period is the stage of dying involving physical distress, like gasping or spasms. |
| What does post-mortem mean? | Post-mortem means after death; it marks the beginning of decomposition. |
| What is taphonomy? | Taphonomy is the study of what happens to a body after death, including decay and environmental effects. |
| What are the two medical definitions of death? | Cardiopulmonary (loss of heartbeat and breathing) and brain death (loss of all brain function). |
| What environmental factors affect decomposition? | Temperature, humidity, body condition, insect activity, and exposure. |
| What is PMI and how is it estimated? | PMI (Post-Mortem Interval) is the time since death, estimated using physical and biological changes. |
| Do all body cells die at once? | No, some cells survive for hours or days after death. |
| How long do brain cells survive after death? | Brain cells die within 5–7 minutes due to oxygen loss. |
| How long can muscle cells survive after death? | Muscle cells can survive for up to 17 days in certain conditions. |
| Do hair and nails grow after death? | No, they just appear longer because the skin dehydrates and shrinks. |
| What is pallor mortis and when does it occur? | Pallor mortis is paleness of the skin, occurring 15–25 minutes after death. |
| Why is pallor mortis more visible in light-skinned people? | Due to the contrast between pale skin and bloodless tissue. |
| How does livor mortis help reconstruct events around death? | It shows how the body was positioned and if it was moved after death. |
| What do multiple patterns of lividity suggest? | That the body was moved after death. |
| What is algor mortis? | The cooling of the body after death. |
| How can temperature help estimate PMI? | The body cools at a predictable rate, but external factors (like climate, clothing) affect accuracy. |
| What causes rigor mortis? | Lack of ATP causes muscles to stiffen as actin and myosin filaments stay bound. |
| What factors influence the onset and duration of rigor mortis? | Temperature, muscle mass, age, sex, and cause of death. |
| Why is rigor mortis not a reliable PMI indicator? | Because it's affected by too many external factors like heat or cold. |
| What is cadaveric spasm, and when does it occur? | Instant stiffening of muscles at the moment of sudden death, often seen in hands. |
| What is heat-induced stiffening and what is pugilistic posture? | Heat stiffens muscles, causing the body to assume a "boxer-like" pose. |
| What is putrefaction and what causes the odor? | It’s the breakdown of tissue by bacteria, producing foul-smelling gases like putrescine and cadaverine. |
| What causes bloating and foam discharge? | Gas from bacteria builds up, and foam may be expelled from the nose or mouth. |
| What is marbling and how does it occur? | It’s the visible spread of bacteria along blood vessels, creating dark patterns. |
| When does bloating typically occur? | Around 3–4 days after death. |
| What happens during active decay? | The body loses mass, tissues liquefy, and fluids seep out, often leaving stains. |
| What is adipocere and when does it form? | A waxy, soap-like substance that forms in moist, oxygen-poor environments. |
| What is mummification and in what conditions does it occur? | Tissue drying and preservation in dry or cold environments. |
| What is skeletonization? | When soft tissues are gone and only bones remain. |
| How do environment and temperature affect skeletonization? | Warm/humid climates speed it up; cold/dry climates slow it down. |
| What other factors influence decomposition? | Scavengers, insect activity, water exposure, and whether the body is buried or not. |
| What environmental conditions favor fossilization? | Alkaline soil, dryness, salinity, and rapid burial. |
| How can fossilization aid forensic investigations? | It preserves bones long-term, helping solve old cases. |
| How does temperature affect decomposition? | High temps speed it up; cold or freezing slows it down. |
| How do bacteria and insects influence decomposition? | They break down tissue and are crucial for estimating time of death. |
| How does burial depth affect decay? | Shallow graves decay faster due to animal and environmental exposure; deep graves slow decay. |
| How does water affect decay? | Water slows decay but can cause unique damage and attract scavengers. |
| How does being suspended (like hanging) affect decomposition? | It can slow decay, and gravity may cause separation of body parts. |
| How does extreme heat affect decomposition? | It can stop decay by killing microbes and drying tissues. |
| How do acid and bleach affect decomposition? | Acid speeds it up by breaking down tissue; bleach slows it by sterilizing. |
| How does lime affect decomposition? | It may speed up initial decay but slow later stages by drying the body. |
| What are body farms and what are they used for? | Research sites where real human remains are studied to understand decomposition. |
| How do body farms help forensic science? | They improve PMI estimates and aid in crime scene investigations. |
Created by:
Forensics2025