Which process describes stiffening of the muscles after death?

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Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which process describes stiffening of the muscles after death?

Explanation:
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death. It happens when ATP is no longer produced, allowing calcium to flood muscle fibers and myosin heads to form cross-bridges with actin. Without ATP to detach these bridges, the muscles remain locked in place, causing rigidooness. This stiffness typically starts a few hours after death, moves from small muscles to larger ones, and lasts until decomposition progresses. Other postmortem changes include algor mortis (body cooling), livor mortis (blood pooling and skin discoloration), and putrefaction (bacterial decomposition), which are about cooling, discoloration, and decay rather than muscle stiffening.

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death. It happens when ATP is no longer produced, allowing calcium to flood muscle fibers and myosin heads to form cross-bridges with actin. Without ATP to detach these bridges, the muscles remain locked in place, causing rigidooness. This stiffness typically starts a few hours after death, moves from small muscles to larger ones, and lasts until decomposition progresses. Other postmortem changes include algor mortis (body cooling), livor mortis (blood pooling and skin discoloration), and putrefaction (bacterial decomposition), which are about cooling, discoloration, and decay rather than muscle stiffening.

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