Which process describes decomposition after death?

Which process describes decomposition after death?

• A. Ocular Decomposition
• B. Putrefaction
• C. Rigor Mortis
• D. Algor Mortis

Answer: (B)

Putrefaction is the breakdown of body tissues by bacteria after death, leading to decomposition. Once life ends, immune defenses fall away and gut and environmental bacteria multiply, releasing enzymes that digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This microbial activity produces gases, fluids, color changes, and a strong odor, and the body often swells as gas accumulates. Putrefaction marks the visible decay that follows early postmortem changes like autolysis. The rate depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, and insect activity. By contrast, rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, and algor mortis is the cooling of the body to ambient temperatures. Ocular changes occur (like corneal clouding) but are not the process of decomposition itself. Therefore, the process describing decomposition after death is putrefaction.

Putrefaction is the breakdown of body tissues by bacteria after death, leading to decomposition. Once life ends, immune defenses fall away and gut and environmental bacteria multiply, releasing enzymes that digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This microbial activity produces gases, fluids, color changes, and a strong odor, and the body often swells as gas accumulates. Putrefaction marks the visible decay that follows early postmortem changes like autolysis. The rate depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, and insect activity. By contrast, rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, and algor mortis is the cooling of the body to ambient temperatures. Ocular changes occur (like corneal clouding) but are not the process of decomposition itself. Therefore, the process describing decomposition after death is putrefaction.