Embalming 5

Chemistry

Is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Inorganic Chemistry

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

Organic Chemistry

Branch of chemistry that deals with certain carbon-containing compounds

Biochemistry

Branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms

Embalming Chemistry

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

Thanatochemistry

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

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 Changes

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

Chemical Changes

Change that results in the formation of a new chemical substance(s)

Gases

Water vapor/clouds

Liquids

Water

Solids

Ice

Element

Simple substances which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means

Compound

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

Mixture

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

Atoms

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

Ions

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

Aldehydes

Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde

Thiols / Mercaptans

Are used in natural gas to emit an odor.

Carbohydrates

compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen that is an aldehyde or ketone derivative of polyhydroxyl alcohol

Carbs

Decompose through fermentation; Sugar, Starch, Fiber

Lipids

Broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, etc; can be simple or compound

Saponification

The hydrolysis of a fat (lipid) and a strong base to produce glycerol and the salt of a fatty acid

Waxes

A type of lipid formed from the combination of unsaturated and/or saturated fatty acids and high molecular weight alcohols

Proteins

A biological component that is a polymer of many amino acids; these amino acids are the building blocks of protein

Molecules

A group of two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds

Bonding

Attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions or groups of atoms in a molecule

Ionic Bonds

A chemical bond formed between oppositely charged atoms

Covalent Bonds

A chemical bond formed between two atoms by the sharing of electrons

Formula

A symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance

Homogenous Solution

A mixture in which the components are uniform in the whole solution, its composition is the same throughout and it appears like a single substance.
Can be dilute, concentrated, saturated, unsaturated
Ex: salt water, air, mixed embalming solution (in the tank),etc.

Heterogenous Solution

A mixture in which the composition is not uniform throughout the mixture
Can be a colloid or suspension
Ex: vegetable soup, sand in water, some liquid tint cosmetics, etc.

Hardness of Water

The condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions (there are chemicals to correct for this)

Hydrate

A compound in which there is a union between water and certain substances when they crystallize

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction in which a substance is broken down or dissociated by water (think decomposition...)

Dehydration

The removal of water from a substance

Desiccation

A complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture

Acids

Substances that yields hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution (below 7 on the pH scale)

Bases

Substances that yield hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution (above 7 on the pH scale)

Salts

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

Oxides

A compound consisting of oxygen combined with only one other element

Organic Chemistry

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

Enzymes

A protein that acts as a biological catalyst

Autolysis

Self-digestion or self-destruction of the body by enzymes (decomp...)

Substrate

The material upon which an enzyme acts

Imbibition

The swelling and softening of tissues and organs as a result of absorbing moisture from adjacent sources (happens often, postmortem)

Coagulation

The process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by physical or chemical means (is bad during embalming because it obstructs/occludes vessels - there are chemicals to counteract this)

Denaturation

The disruption and breakdown of a protein by heat or chemicals (embalming denatures protein)