MRTS 1225 Thanatochemistry Glossary

any chemical used in the preparation of human remains that is not injected into the arterial system or cavities.

Accessory chemicals

substances that yields hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution

Acids

a wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat.

Adipocere (gravewax)

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

Alcohols

an organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups

Aldehyde

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

Amides

an organic compound containing nitrogen with the general formula ofR-NH2.

Amines

the building blocks of proteins that contain an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group.

Amino acid

any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in aqueous solution

Amphoterism

chemical agents that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous

Anticoagulants

concentrated preservative chemicals used primarily for arterial embalming

Arterial fluid

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

Arterial Solution

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

Atom

self-digestion or self-destruction of the body by enzymes.

Autolysis

substances that yield hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution.

Bases

that branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms.

Biochemistry

conversion of a liquid into the vapor state through the action of heat.

Boiling

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

Bond

substances capable of maintaining a constant pH by neutralizing both acids and bases.

Buffers

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

Carbohydrates

an organic compound that contains a carboxyl group (C(=O)OH)

Carboxylic Acid

concentrated preservative chemicals used in cavity embalming.

Cavity fluid

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

Chemical change

characteristics of a substance observed during or after a chemical reaction.

Chemical properties

the study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Chemistry

the process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by physical or chemical means

Coagulation

a solute that can pass through filters but not membranes.

Colloid

rapid oxidation that produces heat and light.

Combustion

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

Compound

a solution containing a relatively large amount of solute.

Concentrated solution

the ratio of a solute to the solution or solvent.

Concentration

a change of state of matter from a gas to a liquid.

Condensation

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

Covalent

a solute that can pass through a membrane.

Crystalloid

the gradual decomposition of dead organic matter by the enzymes of aerobic bacteria.

Decay

the removal of water from a substance.

Dehydration

the disruption and breakdown of a protein by heat or chemicals.

Denaturation

a complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture.

Desiccation

an organic compound containing two aldehyde (-CHO) groups

Dialdehyde

the movement of molecules or other particles in solution from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration until uniform concentration is reached.

Diffusion

a solution containing relatively small amount of solute

Dilute solution

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

Disinfectant

natural or synthetic compounds that are used to impart color to another material.

Dye

simple substances which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means.

Elements

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

Embalming chemistry

a protein that acts as a biological catalyst

Enzyme

an organic compound with the general formula RCOOR'.

Ester

a combination of saturated fatty acids and glycerol that is a semisolid at room temperature.

Fats

the microbial decomposition of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions.

Fermentation

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

Formalin

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

Formula

a change of state of matter from a liquid to a solid by the loss of heat

Freezing

a state of matter that has no definite shape or volume

Gases

the condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions

Hardness of water

chemicals that increase the capability of tissues to retain moisture.

Humectant

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

Hydrate

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

Hydrolysis

a non-chemical bond that creates surface tension.

Hydrogen Bond

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

Hypertonic solution

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

Hypotonic solution

the swelling and softening of tissues and organs as a result of absorbing moisture from adjacent sources.

Imbibition

the strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of solution.

Index

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

Inorganic chemistry

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

Ion

a chemical bond formed between oppositely charged atoms

Ionic

a solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute as the solution to which it is compared.

Isotonic solution

a class of organic compounds with the general formula R(CO)R' formed by the oxidation of a secondary alcohol.

Ketone

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

Liquid

anything that has mass and occupies space.

Matter

a change of state of matter from a solid to a liquid by the addition of heat

Melting

an element marked by luster, malleability, ductility, and conductivity of electricity and heat

Metal

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

Mixture

the smallest dose of a poison that produces death.

Minimum lethal dose (MLD

Chemicals incorporated into commercial preservative fluids to meet the varying demands of embalming procedures.

Modifying agent

a group of two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds.

Molecule

the reaction of an acid and a base to produce salt and water

Neutralization

any element that is generally dull in appearance, has a low density, has a low melting point and is not a good conductor of heat or electricity

Nonmetal

a combination of unsaturated fatty acids and glycerol that is a liquid at room temperature

Oils

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

Organic chemistry

the passage of a solvent from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Osmosis

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

Oxide

a method of expressing low concentrations; 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 ml per l

Parts per million (ppm)

a bond formed from a dehydration reaction between the amino group on one amino acid with the carboxyl group on another amino acid.

Peptide bond

a tabular arrangement of the elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.

Periodic table

the measure of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

ph

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

Physical change

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

Physical properties

a substance capable of causing illness or death to an organism.

Poison

a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units.

Polymerization

the introduction of a non-preservative solution to prepare the vascular system before the injection of the preservative solution.

Pre-injection/capillary wash

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

Pre-injection fluid

substances used to inhibit protein decomposition and inactivate enzymes.

Preservative

the amount of preservative necessary to properly embalm human remains

Preservative Demand

a biological component that is a polymer of many amino acids.

Protein

chemicals having the capability of altering an unpleasant odor

Perfuming agent (masking agent)

the decomposition of proteins by the enzymatic activity of anaerobic bacteria.

Putrefaction

surface disinfectants that are generally used for disinfection of skin, oral and nasal cavities, as well as instruments.

Quaternary ammonium compound

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

Salt

the hydrolysis of a fat and a strong base to produce glycerol and the salt of a fatty acid

Saponification

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

Saturated solution