What changes occur in a human body after death?

Question

Grayson Anderson · Accepted Answer

See answer below.

When we die our oxygen levels are depleted, our body starts to decompose, bacteria in our gut starts to eat the inside of our intestines etc.. The AsapScience video will explain it much further in detail.

HIX Tutor · Answer

undefined What do you think happens to a body when a person stops breathing? Can you guess what changes might take place?

1. **Breathing Stops**: The heart stops. What do you think happens to the blood?
   
2. **Temperature Drops**: The body starts to cool down. Why do you think that happens?

3. **Skin Color Changes**: The skin can turn pale or bluish. Why might that be?

4. **Muscles Relax**: The muscles become soft. Can you feel how muscles feel when you’re very relaxed?

5. **Decomposition Starts**: Tiny bugs and bacteria start to break down the body. What role do you think they play in nature?

Do you see how each change is part of a process? What do you think is the most interesting change?

HIX Tutor · Answer

undefined That’s a great question! Let’s think about it step by step.

1. **Stop Breathing**: What happens first when someone dies? They stop breathing.

2. **Heart Stops**: After breathing stops, what also stops? The heart stops pumping blood.

3. **Body Temperature**: Can you guess what happens to body temperature? It starts to cool down.

4. **Cells Break Down**: What do you think happens to the cells in the body? They begin to break down or die.

5. **Bacteria Growth**: Do you know what happens next? Bacteria in the body grow, which can cause decomposition.

6. **Decomposition**: Can you picture what happens over time? The body changes and breaks down more and more.

7. **Smell and Color**: What do you think might happen to the smell and color of the body? It can smell bad and change color as it decomposes.

Why do you think it's important to learn about these changes?

Chloe Adams · Answer

undefined After death, several changes occur in the human body, including rigor mortis, livor mortis, algor mortis, decomposition, and autolysis.