Embalming Exam 3

Lesson 5 and 6

matter

anything that has mass and occupies space

matter and energy

what are the two basic components of the universe?

chemistry

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

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 (ex: color, odor, density, temperature, volume, length, hardness, melting and boiling point)

chemical properties

characteristics of a substance observed during or after a chemical reaction; can only be detected during the process of change (ex: reactivity, flammability, toxicity, and rusting)

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) (ex: rigor mortis and decomposition)

solid, liquid, and gas

matter can exist in three classic physical states:

phase change

a change from one physical state to another without a change in chemical composition

element, compound, and mixture

the three classifications of matter:

element

simple substances which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means (ex: iron, helium, and silicone)

compounds

a substance consisting of two or more elements combined chemically in definite proportions by mass (ex: water, salt, and sugar)

mixture

a combination of two or more substances not chemically united and that exist in no fixed proportion to each other (ex: salt water, cookie dough, and air)

atoms or ions

elements can be in the form of either single __________ or _______

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

electrons

atoms become ions by gaining or losing ______________

cation

an ion with a positive charge

anion

an ion with a negative charge

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 bond

a chemical bond formed between oppositely charged atoms

covalent bond

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 (ex: salt water, air, mixed embalming solution [in the tank])

heterogenous solution

a mixture in which the composition is not uniform throughout the mixture (ex: vegetable soup, sand in water, some liquid tint cosmetics)

homogenous solution

a mixture that is diluted, concentrated, saturated, or unsaturated is likely a:

heterogenous solution

a mixture that is colloid or suspension is likely a:

vehicle

water is used in embalming as the main/most common:

hardness of water

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

hydrolysis

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

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

bases

substances that yield hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution

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

acids

below 7 on the pH scale

bases

above 7 on the pH scale

organic chemistry

branch of chemistry that deals with certain carbon-containing compounds

carbohydrates

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

fermentation

carbohydrates decompose through:

sugars, starch, and fiber

3 types of carbs:

lipids

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

saponification

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

waxes

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

enzymes

a protein that acts as a biological catalyst

amino acids

building blocks of proteins

autolysis

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

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; obstructs/occludes vessels during embalming

denaturation

the disruption and breakdown of a protein by heat or chemicals (embalming ________________ protein)

preservatives, disinfectants, modifying agents, vehicles, dyes, and perfuming agents

the six general chemical groups that provide the basic components of embalming fluids:

preservatives

the main actions of arterial embalming are accomplished with chemicals known as:

- aldehydes (formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde)
- alcohols
- phenolic compounds

the preservatives used in embalming are:

aldehydes

the most common preservatives used in arterial fluids are:

index

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

- proteins/amino acids
- nitrogenous waste

chemically, aldehydes react with two things:

preservative demand

amount of preservative required to effectively embalm remains

ammonia; bleach

neutralize formaldehyde with ______________, NEVER ______________

Urotropin

the neutralization product of formaldehyde and ammonia

formaldehyde

colorless, strong smelling (irritating) gas; very soluble in water; bactericidal; dehydrates and fixates tissues

arterial fluids

concentrated preservative embalming chemicals used for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming; purpose is specifically to embalm human tissue by chemically reacting with protein

- arterial fluids
- cavity fluids
- supplemental fluids
- special purpose fluids
- accessory chemicals

embalming chemicals are divided into 5 main categories:

index/strength/concentration

arterial fluids are classified by their:

active dyes (cosmetic dye)

will impart permanent color to embalmed tissues

inactive dyes

will not impart permanent color to tissues, generally used to impart color to a chemical (simply to make that chemical a certain color to distinguish it from others on the shelf).

formaldehyde

Index is used only when referring to _____________________-containing fluids

preservatives

substances used to inhibit protein composition and inactivate enzymes

disinfectants

an agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate surfaces/objects to kill most disease-causing microbial agents; excluding some resistant bacterial spores

Quaternary Ammonia Compound

highly effective disinfectants used chiefly for germicidal/deodorizing properties

vehicles

liquids that serve as solvents for the components of embalming fluids and solutions; aka carriers or diluents

water and alcohols

the two most common vehicles used in embalming are:

water

the main vehicle used in embalming is:

dyes

a natural or synthetic compound that is used to impart color to another material

masking/perfuming agents

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

modifying agents

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

humectants

chemicals that increase the capability of tissue to retain moisture

buffers

substances capable of neutralizing acids and bases to maintain a constant pH

- aloe
- glycerine
- sorbitol
- glycols
- lanolin
- gums (vegetable and synthetic)

chemicals used as humectants include:

- borates (borax)
- carbonates
- phosphates
- citrates
- sodium salt of EDTA

chemicals used as buffers:

anticoagulants

retard the natural postmortem tendency of blood to become viscous and prevents adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals

- borates
- sodum citrate
- sodium salt of EDTA
- epsom salts

chemicals used as anticoagulants:

surfactants (surface tension reducers/wetting agents/penetrating agents)

chemical that reduces the molecular cohesion and surface tension of a liquid so it can flow through smaller apertures

- anionic
- cationic
- nonionic

surfactants can be:

cavity fluids

concentrated embalming chemical injected into the cavities of the body following the aspiration of the body; can also be used in hypodermic and surface embalming

preservatives, disinfectants, and vehicles

the components of cavity fluid include:

supplementary fluids

fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection that will enhance the actions of the arterial solution

pre-injection fluids

capillary wash used to get the vascular system prepped

co-injection fluids

can be pre-injection fluid but now used with arterial fluid

water corrective fluids

correct pH and conditions tap water

edema reducing fluids

reduce edematous or waterlogged tissues

accessory chemicals

a group of preservative chemicals used in addition to vascular/arterial and cavity embalming fluids; not injected and most often applied to the body surface

special purpose fluids

can be used as co-injectants, or sometimes pre-injectants, in your arterial embalming solution