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Decoding protein breakdown: What mysterious gases are released after death?
The decomposition process of an animal begins upon death, a process that involves the destruction of soft tissues while also leaving behind skeletal remains. The process of chemical decomposition is quite complex and involves the degradation of cells and tissues, with the release of many gases from soft tissues. These gases not only affect the surrounding environment, but also play an important role in the decomposition process.
The human body is composed of approximately 64% water, 20% protein, 10% fat, 1% carbohydrates and 5% minerals.
During the decomposition process, protein degradation is particularly important. Proteins are building blocks of many different tissues in the body, which can be divided into soft tissues and hard tissues. Therefore, protein degradation does not proceed uniformly, but rather occurs at different rates over time. The decomposition process is divided into several stages, including autolysis and putrefaction.
Protein degradationProtein degradation occurs through a complex series of processes, which is mainly the result of protein hydrolysis, called proteolysis, which is affected by humidity, temperature and bacteria. As decomposition proceeds, the body's light soft tissue proteins are degraded in the early stages, while some of the tougher proteins are degraded in the later stages due to the effects of putrefaction.
In the early stages, the main proteins degraded include those in the intestinal epithelium, pancreatic tissue, brain and liver.
Later in the decomposition process, there is the degradation of certain tissue proteins that are more resistant to decay, such as muscle protein and collagen, which are important components involved in the integrity of bones and soft tissues. In addition, keratin in the epidermis is also the most tenacious protein in the decomposition process, and often requires special microorganisms to decompose. Therefore, hair and nails can often be seen in skeletal remains.
Gas Release and Its Effects
During this process, as proteins break down, various gases are produced, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and methane. Among them, hydrogen sulfide is an extremely toxic gas, often accompanied by a rotten smell. The following are some of the gases produced during the decomposition process:
Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (highly toxic), ammonia, methane, etc.
Specific sulfur-bearing amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine, release ammonia and other odorous gases, such as mercaptans and pyruvate, after bacterial decomposition. These products not only have an impact on the environment, but are also associated with the famous stench of corpses, making the smell of the decomposition process so recognizable that it is often even detected by professional cadaver dogs.
Nitrogen and phosphorus release
Nitrogen is an important component of amino acids and is released into the environment during decomposition, usually in the form of ammonia. This ammonia can be used by surrounding plants or microorganisms, or even converted into nitrates, thereby promoting soil fertility. The release of phosphorus comes from tissues in the body, including proteins and nucleic acids.
The presence of nitrogen in the soil may promote the growth of nearby plants, the study suggests.
In acidic soils, ammonia is converted into ammonium ions, which can be used by plants or microorganisms, forming a positive cycle. Such a process not only benefits the growth of plants in the environment, but also demonstrates the contribution of the decomposition process to the ecosystem.
Degradation of Carbohydrates and Lipids
Early in the decomposition process, microbes first break down carbohydrates, releasing sugars from the liver. With the support of oxygen, these carbohydrates can eventually be completely degraded into carbon dioxide and water.
Carbohydrates are converted into various organic acids, such as gluconic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid, by microorganisms in an aerobic environment.
In addition, the degradation of lipids is also very important, as they are mainly concentrated in adipose tissue. After death, fats are subject to lipolytic enzymes to produce free fatty acids. These fatty acids follow different degradation pathways depending on oxygen availability and interact with each other, thus affecting the odor of the entire decomposition process and its impact on the environment.
ConclusionIn summary, decomposition is not only a natural process after the death of an organism, it also involves complex biochemical reactions, and the resulting gas release has a profound impact on the surrounding environment. These gases not only mark the end of life, but are also part of the cycle of life and play an indispensable role in the balance of the ecosystem. In this process full of mystery and science, how much can these changes reveal about our understanding of the meaning of life?
