Putrefaction
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| - | '''Putrefaction''' is the decomposition of animal [[protein]]s, especially by [[Anaerobic organism|anaerobic microorganisms]], described as [[putrefying bacteria]]. [[Decomposition]] is a more general process. Putrefaction usually results in [[amine]]s such as [[putrescine]] and [[cadaverine]], which have a putrid odor. Material that is subject to putrefaction is called putrescible. | + | '''Putrefaction''' is the fifth [[Stages of death|stage of death]], following [[pallor mortis]], [[algor mortis]], [[rigor mortis]], and [[livor mortis]]. This process references the breaking down of a body of an [[animal]] such as a [[human]] [[Post-mortem (disambiguation)|post-mortem]] (meaning after death). In broad terms, it can be viewed as the decomposition of [[protein]]s, and the eventual breakdown of the cohesiveness between tissues, and the liquefaction of most organs. This is caused by the decomposition of organic matter by bacterial or fungal digestion, which causes the release of gases that infiltrate the body's tissues, and leads to the deterioration of the tissues and organs. |
| + | The approximate time it takes putrefaction to occur is dependent on various factors. Internal factors that affect the rate of putrefaction include the age at which death has occurred, the overall structure and condition of the body, the cause of death, and external injuries arising before or after death. External factors include environmental temperature, moisture and air exposure, clothing, burial factors, and light exposure. | ||
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| + | The first signs of putrefaction are signified by a greenish discoloration on the outside of the skin on the abdominal wall corresponding to where the large intestine begins, as well as under the surface of the liver. | ||
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| + | Certain substances, such as [[Phenol|carbolic acid]], [[arsenic]], [[strychnine]], and [[zinc chloride]], can be used to delay the process of putrefaction in various ways based on their chemical make up. | ||
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| + | [[Body farm]]s are facilities which study the process of human decomposition as well as how environmental factors affect the rate of putrefaction. | ||
| - | In [[alchemy]], putrefaction is the same as [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermentation]], basically meaning to allow the substance to [[rot]] or [[decomposition|decompose]], sometimes with a small sample of the desired original pure material to act as a "seed". | ||
| ==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
| From Latin ''putridus'' (“[[rotten]], [[decay]]ed”), from ''pūtreō'' (“I am rotten or putrid”), from ''puter'' (“rotten, decaying, putrid”). | From Latin ''putridus'' (“[[rotten]], [[decay]]ed”), from ''pūtreō'' (“I am rotten or putrid”), from ''puter'' (“rotten, decaying, putrid”). | ||
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Putrefaction is the fifth stage of death, following pallor mortis, algor mortis, rigor mortis, and livor mortis. This process references the breaking down of a body of an animal such as a human post-mortem (meaning after death). In broad terms, it can be viewed as the decomposition of proteins, and the eventual breakdown of the cohesiveness between tissues, and the liquefaction of most organs. This is caused by the decomposition of organic matter by bacterial or fungal digestion, which causes the release of gases that infiltrate the body's tissues, and leads to the deterioration of the tissues and organs. The approximate time it takes putrefaction to occur is dependent on various factors. Internal factors that affect the rate of putrefaction include the age at which death has occurred, the overall structure and condition of the body, the cause of death, and external injuries arising before or after death. External factors include environmental temperature, moisture and air exposure, clothing, burial factors, and light exposure.
The first signs of putrefaction are signified by a greenish discoloration on the outside of the skin on the abdominal wall corresponding to where the large intestine begins, as well as under the surface of the liver.
Certain substances, such as carbolic acid, arsenic, strychnine, and zinc chloride, can be used to delay the process of putrefaction in various ways based on their chemical make up.
Body farms are facilities which study the process of human decomposition as well as how environmental factors affect the rate of putrefaction.
Etymology
From Latin putridus (“rotten, decayed”), from pūtreō (“I am rotten or putrid”), from puter (“rotten, decaying, putrid”).
Putrid
- Rotting, rotten, being in a state of putrefaction.
- of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction, especially having a bad smell, like that of a rotten flesh.
- Vile, disgusting.
- morally corrupt
- totally objectionable
See also
