PLTW Biomedical Science: Forensic Pathology & Human Biology Comprehensive Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary from Forensic Pathology and Human Biology.

Autopsy

A detailed medical examination of a deceased person's body to determine the cause, manner, and mechanism of death.

Cause of Death

The disease or injury responsible for death.

Manner of Death

How the death occurred (Natural, Accident, Homicide, Suicide, Undetermined).

Mechanism of Death

The physiological process that caused the body to stop functioning.

Forensic Pathologist

A licensed physician who performs autopsies and determines cause of death.

Medical Examiner

A licensed physician (usually a forensic pathologist) who investigates deaths.

Coroner

An official who may or may not be a physician, responsible for investigating deaths.

Rigor Mortis

Muscle stiffening due to ATP depletion occurring after death.

Livor Mortis

Blood pooling into the lowest blood vessels after the heart stops.

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body after death.

Decomposition

The breakdown of tissues by bacteria, enzymes, and environmental factors.

Digestive System

The system that breaks down food into nutrients for absorption and eliminates waste.

Post-Mortem Interval (PMI)

The estimated time elapsed since death.

Toxicology

The study of drugs and poisons in the body.

Half-life (t½)

The time taken for the concentration of a drug to decrease by half.

Vitreous Humor

The stable fluid in the eye used for toxicology testing post-mortem.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

A measure of the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Synaptic Transmission

The process by which one neuron communicates with another.

Opioids

Drugs that bind to mu-opioid receptors, producing pain relief, euphoria, and respiratory depression.

CNS Stimulants

Drugs that increase central nervous system activity, leading to effects like euphoria and increased heart rate.

Additive Effect

The combined effect of drugs equaling the sum of their individual effects.

Synergistic Effect

The combined effect of drugs exceeding the sum of their individual effects.

Forensic Entomology

The study of insects associated with decomposing remains to estimate time since death.

Cadaveric Spasm

Instantaneous rigor at the moment of death, often due to extreme exertion.