What Happens To Your Body After You Die? | Human Biology | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

Summary

This video explores the fascinating process of human decomposition after death. Beginning with the cessation of vital functions, the script explains stages like primary flaccidity, liver mortis, and rigor mortis. It also discusses environmental factors affecting decomposition, such as air, water, or mud exposure, and the internal breakdown process driven by microorganisms. The video highlights the chemical reactions, gases, and insects involved in decomposing the body, leaving only bones behind. Additionally, it shares surprising facts, such as the last sense to fade being hearing, and the importance of physical exercise to prevent death. A mix of spooky science and education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Decomposition is an inevitable natural process that begins immediately after death, starting with primary flaccidity.
• 😀 Once the person dies, their muscles relax, the jaw falls open, and the eyelids lose tension, marking the start of decomposition.
• 😀 The body loses heat and undergoes a 'death chill,' cooling down to match the surrounding temperature.
• 😀 After death, blood flow stops and settles in the lower parts of the body, causing purplish discoloration known as liver mortis.
• 😀 Rigor mortis sets in within hours, causing the body to stiffen; this can last from 20 to 84 hours, depending on various factors.
• 😀 After rigor mortis, the body returns to a relaxed state in the secondary flaccidity stage.
• 😀 The rate of decomposition depends on environmental conditions, with bodies exposed to air decomposing faster than those in water or mud.
• 😀 Without oxygen and with accumulating toxic gases, cells rupture, releasing enzymes that break down the body from the inside.
• 😀 As the body decomposes, microorganisms like fungi and bacteria consume the cells, releasing chemicals and gases that attract insects to aid in the breakdown.
• 😀 The process of decomposition eventually leaves only the skeleton, which over time also breaks down into the surrounding environment.
• 😀 The sense of hearing is the last to go when a person dies, and lack of exercise is a leading cause of preventable deaths.

Q & A

What is primary placidity in the process of decomposition?

Primary placidity is the first stage of decomposition that occurs after death, where the person's muscles relax, the jaws fall open, and the eyelids lose tension and close. The body also starts to lose heat, cooling to match the temperature of the surrounding environment.

What is the 'death chill'?

The 'death chill' refers to the cooling of the body after death, where the body loses heat and reaches the surrounding temperature, which is part of the initial decomposition process.

What happens during liver mortis (post-mortem stain)?

Liver mortis is the stage where blood flow stops after death, causing the blood to settle in the lowest parts of the body. This results in a purplish discoloration of the skin in those areas, which is one of the first visible signs of decomposition.

How does rigor mortis affect the body?

Rigor mortis is the stage where the muscles of the body begin to contract, causing stiffness. It starts within three to six hours after death and lasts for 20 to 84 hours. This contraction spreads through the muscles and depends on factors like the person's age, gender, and environment.

What happens after rigor mortis passes?

After rigor mortis passes, the body returns to a relaxed state, which is known as secondary placidity. This marks the end of the muscle contraction phase.

How does the environment influence the decomposition process?

The environment has a significant impact on the speed of decomposition. For example, a body exposed to air decomposes twice as fast as one submerged in water and eight times as fast as one buried in mud.

What happens to the cells in the body after death?

After death, the body can no longer take in oxygen or expel toxic gases like carbon dioxide. As a result, the cells become highly acidic, causing them to rupture. These ruptured cells release enzymes that begin to break down the body from the inside out.

How do microorganisms contribute to decomposition?

Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria, which are already present in the body, begin to break down tissues as the body's immune system no longer functions. They release over 400 different chemicals and gases, contributing to the smell of decomposition.

What role do insects play in decomposition?

Insects are attracted to the gases released during decomposition and feed on the body, helping to break down tissues until only the skeleton remains. They also contribute to the decomposition process.

What is the last sense to go after death?

The last sense to go after death is hearing. This means that a person may still be able to hear even after all other senses have ceased.