CGCC Mortuary Sciences - Embalming Chemistry

estimated shelf life for embalming chemicals

2-5 years

how many carbon atoms are there in a molecule of benzaldehyde

7

Not normally present in cavity fluid

active dyes

the term tincture refers to a solution that has ____________ as a solvent

alcohol

used as preservatives in arterial fluids

aldehydes, alcohols, and phenolic compounds

Correct steps in the partial oxidation series methane

all of these are correct

Proteins are compounds composed of many _______ linked together

amino acids

sodium citrate, when used in embalming fluids, functions as

anticoagulant and humectant

citrates and oxalates are usually added to embalming fluids to act as

anticoagulants

which of the following statements is false about arterial fluids

arterial fluids normally are injected into body cavities

Basic types of embalming chemicals

arterial, cavity, accessory

self destruction of the body by its own enzymes

autolysis

the digestion of cells by means of their own enzymes is called

autolysis

simplest of aromatic aldehydes

benzaldehyde

commonly used deodorants used in the funeral home

benzaldehyde, oil of sassafras, and oil of cloves

Borax is used in an arterial fluid as a

buffer

substances that are used to maintain p H balance of solutions

buffers

those fluids used to treat the contents of the hollow lumens of the internal organs

cavity fluids

those fluids that are employed at the same time as preservative chemicals

co injection

Not important in determining the shelf life of an arterial fluid

cost of fluid

the decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes of aerobic bacteria

decay

impart color to the fluid and sometimes to the tissues

dyes

Involves the process of preservation, disinfection, and restoration of a deceased human body

embalming chemistry

dyes used only in embalming fluids

eosine, erythrosine, and ponceau red

The class of organic compounds most often employed as deodorants for embalming fluids

esters

paraformaldehyde is a polymer of

formaldehyde

Determined by the total amount of formaldehyde which protein will combine with to be completely preserved

formaldehyde demand

A 5-carbon dialdehyde

gluteraldehyde

Often used as humectants

glycerol, sorbitol, and ethylene

Not a characteristic of Juandice fluid

high index of formaldehyde

Polyhydroxy alcohols are a class of compounds often added to arterial fluids to act as a

humectant

the function of glycerol in embalming fluid

humectant

arterial fluids glycols act as

humectants

water retention chemical employed in arterial fluids

humectants

Modifying agents often added to arterial fluids

humectants, surfactants, buffers

special purpose fluids are often classified as

jaundice fluids and high index fluids

emulsified oil used as a humectant and to give a soft texture to skin

lanolins

some special purpose autopsy chemicals are

liquids, solids, and gels

one major characteristic of pre injection fluids

little or no preservative

Currently the most often used preservative for embalming purposes is

methanal and formaldehyde

Polymerization of formaldehyde is inhibited by the addition of

methanol

unlike arterial fluids, cavity fluids do not generally contain

modifying agents

what is the purpose of paradichlorobenzen in an embalming powder

mold inhibitor

the cross linking that takes place between protein molecules in embalmed tissue occurs between __________ in adjacent molecules

nitrogen atoms

chemical most commonly found in hardening compounds

para-formaldehyde, alum, and aluminum chloride

esters have been added to arterial formulations to act as

perfuming agents and masking agents

hide odors

perfuming agents and masking agents

Most often used as fillers for autopsied bodies where the viscera has been withheld by the medical examiners office

perlite and cellulose

the hardening agent found in hardening compound

plaster of paris

what class of compounds is used as humectants

polyhydroxy alcohols

Glycerol, sorbitol, and ethylene are all

polyhydroxy alcohols and used as humectants in arterial fluids

those fluids often used prior to the injection of the preservative chemicals

pre injection fluids

The function of methanal in embalming fluids is

preservative

phenol when used in an arterial formulation serves as a

preservative

components of embalming solutions used to inactivate the active chemical groups of proteins and amino acids

preservatives

Mercuric chloride is a good disinfectant but it is

prohibited by law

The action of formaldehyde on proteins is

reversible in the presence of an abundance of water

Caused by sever dehydration effect of formaldehyde on tissue

searing

water conditioning agents used to sequester calcium ions in hard water

sodium citrate and sodium salt of E D T A

a humectant commonly used in modern embalming fluid

sorbitol

surface tension reducers allow water to flow through smaller spaces

sulfonates and sodium lauryl sulfate

Gels are most often used to treat

surface problems such as bedsores

surface tension reducers

surfactants

Complete oxidation involves

the removal of all hydrogen from carbon

complete reduction involves

the removal of all of the oxygen from a compound

Most often used vehicle for arterial fluids

water

an aqueous solution uses _______ as the vehicle

water

the most commonly used vehicles in the embalming operation are

water and alcohol

Formaldehyde exists in water as ethylene glycol, preserves amino acids by coagulation, converts biliverdin to bilirubin

ALL FALSE

Borax, sodium, citrates, and sodium salt of EDTA are all used as

Buffers

Sawdust

Cellulose

substances used as a buffer in arterial fluid

E D T A

Reactions associated with Formaldehyde

Exists in water as methylene glycol, is prevented from polymerization to para formaldehyde by the presences of methanol, preserves amino acids with out coagulation, denatures preserves and coagulates proteins

Actions of Preservative Chemicals

Inactive the chemical groups of proteins and/or amino acids, inhibit decomp, inactivate enzymes, kill microorganisms, destroy odors and eliminate their further production

oil of wintergreen is chemically

Methyl salicylate

volcanic rock

Perlite

Supplemental germicides often added to some arterial fluids

Quaternary ammonium compounds and gluteraldehyde