Overview of Chemistry in Embalming and Biochemistry

Inorganic chemistry

branch of chemistry that studies the properties and reactions of elements, excluding organic or certain carbon-containing compounds

Organic chemistry

that branch of chemistry that deals with certain carbon-containing compounds

Biochemistry

that branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms

Embalming chemistry

the study of those types of matter and changes in matter related to the disinfection, preservation, and restoration of human remains

Thanatochemistry

the study of those physical and chemical changes the human body that are caused by the process of death

Matter

anything that has mass and occupies space

Mass

measures the amount of matter present in a subject

Physical properties

characteristics of a substance that are observed or measured without a change in chemical composition

Chemical properties

characteristics of a substance observed during or after a chemical reaction

Physical change

a substance in the form or state of matter without any change in chemical composition

Chemical change

a change that results in the formation of a new chemical substance or substances

States of matter

A physical property of matter (solid, liquid, gas)

Gases

a state of matter that has no definite shape or volume

Liquids

a state of matter having a definite volume but no definite shape

Solids

a state of matter having a definite shape and volume

Sublimation

when a solid move to a gas without becoming liquid

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that has all the properties of the element

Subatomic particles

Protons - has a positive charge; Neutrons - has a neutral charge; Electrons - has a negative charge

Valence electrons

electrons that are on the outer shell and available to form bonds

Ion

an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative electrical charge

Periodic table

a chart of all 118 elements

Atomic number

protons

Atomic mass

protons + neutrons

Bond

an attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions, or groups of atoms in a molecule or crystal

Covalent bonds

a chemical bond formed between two atoms by sharing of electrons

Ionic bonds

a chemical bond formed between oppositely charged atoms

Compound

a substance consisting of two or more elements combined chemically in definite proportions by mass

Molecule

a group of two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds

Mixture

a combination of two or more substances not chemically united and that exists in no fixed proportion to each other

Heterogenous mixture

not uniform throughout the mixture

Colloid

A solute that can pass through a filter but not a membrane.

Suspension

A solute that will not pass through filters or membranes.

Homogenous mixtures

The same composition throughout the mixture.

Crystalloid

A solute that can pass through a membrane.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of one or more solutes dissolved in a sufficient quantity of solvent.

Solute

A substance dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Solvent

A substance that dissolves a solute in a solution.

Percent by weight or volume

By volume (mass of solute/volume of solute) or by mass (mass of solute/mass of solution).

Parts per million (ppm)

A method of expressing low concentrations.

Dilute solution

Solution containing relatively small amount of solute.

Concentrated solution

Solution containing a relatively large amount of solute.

Saturated solution

Solution containing the maximum amount of solute a solvent is able to hold at a certain temperature and pressure.

Unsaturated solution

A solution containing less than the maximum amount of solute a solvent is able to hold at certain temperature and pressure.

Supersaturated solution

A solution containing more than the maximum amount of solute a solvent is able to hold at certain temperature and pressure.

Osmosis

The passage of a solvent from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration through a semipermeable membrane.

Hypertonic solution

A solution having a greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared.

Hypotonic solution

Having a lesser concentration of dissolved solute as the solution to which it is compared.

Isotonic solution

A solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute to which it is compared.

Hardness of water

The condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction in which a substance is broken down or dissociated by water.

Dissociate

Molecules separate.

Dehydration

The removal of water from a substance.

Desiccation

A complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture.

pH

The measure of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

Acid

A substance that yields hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution.

Base

A substance that yields hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution.

Salt

Any group of substances that result from the reaction between acids and bases other than water.

Amphoterism

Any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in aqueous solutions.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-containing compounds.

Functional groups

A group of atoms that have specific properties and hold characteristic behaviors.

Oxide

A compound consisting of oxygen combined with only one other element.

Hydroxyl

A compound consisting of hydrogen and oxygen (-OH).

Oxygen

(-OH) Hydrocarbon - an organic compound containing carbon and hydrogen molecules.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound containing carbon and hydrogen molecules. The basis of most functional groups.

Alkanes

A hydrocarbon containing single carbon-carbon bonds only. Also referred to as saturated hydrocarbons.

Examples of Alkanes

Methane, ethane, propane, butane are examples of alkanes.

Uses of Alkanes

Used as waxes, lubricants, and combustible fuels.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon containing at least one double carbon-carbon bond. Referred to as unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Uses of Alkenes

In nature, often responsible for restoring energy.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon containing at least one triple carbon-carbon bond. Referred to as unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Uses of Alkynes

Sometimes used in medicine and occur naturally in plants.

Alcohols

An organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH) groups.

Polyhydroxyl Alcohols

Have more than one hydroxyl group.

Uses of Alcohols

Commonly used as disinfectants, humectants, and cauterizing agents.

Aldehydes

An organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups. Derivatives of alkanes.

Uses of Aldehydes

Able to crosslink proteins. Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde are the main two.

Ketones

A class of organic compounds with the general formula R(CO)R'.

Uses of Ketones

Acetone is a commonly used ketone. Used for dissolving glue, smoothing wax, and removing debris from decedents.

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound that contains a carboxyl group (C=(=O)OH). A weak acid.

Esters

An organic compound with the general formula RCOOR'. Formed by combining a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

Uses of Esters

Heavier esters make up the main class of lipids. Lighter esters have fragrant properties.

Thiol

Mercaptan; an organic compound containing the group -SH. A product of putrefaction (decomp).

Amines

An organic compound containing nitrogen with the general formula R-NH2. Decomposition product with a strong odor.

Amides

Derivatives of carboxylic acids in which a hydroxyl group is substituted with an amine or ammonia having the general formula of R-CONH-R'.

Arterial Fluid

Concentrated preservative chemicals used primarily for arterial embalming.

Cosmetic Fluid

Arterial fluid that contains active dyes intended to restore a more natural skin tone.

Non Cosmetic Fluids

Do not contain dye that stains tissue.

Arterial Solution

Mixture of arterial fluid and water used for arterial injection with the possible inclusion of supplemental fluids.

Pre Injection Fluid

Fluids designed to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute more effectively.

Co Injection Fluid

Primarily used to supplement and enhance the action of vascular fluid.

Preservative

A chemical that inactivates saprophytic bacteria and attempts to arrest decomposition by converting body tissue to form a less susceptible to decomposition.

Disinfectant

An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects/surfaces to destroy most disease-causing microbial agents, excluding bacterial spores.

Vehicle

Liquid that serves as a solvent for embalming fluids.

Active Dyes

Agent that will impart permanent color to tissues.

Inactive Dye

Agent that will not impart permanent color to tissues generally used to impart color to a chemical.

Perfuming Agents

Chemical found in arterial fluid having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one.

Modifying Agents

Chemical within the arterial fluid to deal with varying demands predicated upon the condition of the deceased, the environment, and the preservative to be used.

Formaldehyde

HCHO Colorless, toxic gas with an odor. Reactive with other chemicals.

Formalin

Formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume.

Paraformaldehyde

A polymer of formaldehyde that is commonly used in autopsy compound.