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Related Concept Videos

Body Temperature01:25

Body Temperature

The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...
Body Temperature01:07

Body Temperature

Body temperature reflects the equilibrium between heat production and heat loss within the body. Most heat is generated by metabolically active tissues, particularly the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and endocrine organs. At rest, skeletal muscles contribute 20–30% of total heat production, but during vigorous exercise, this can increase up to 30–40 times.
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C (97–99°F), remaining relatively stable...
Thermoregulation01:26

Thermoregulation

The human body has a sophisticated thermoregulation system that employs negative feedback mechanisms to maintain an optimal core temperature. When the core temperature drops, peripheral and central thermoreceptors send signals to the hypothalamus, activating the heat-promoting center. This center triggers several responses aimed at increasing the core temperature. First, vasoconstriction reduces the flow of warm blood from internal organs to the skin so that the heat is not lost from the skin,...
Hyperthermophilic Bacteria01:21

Hyperthermophilic Bacteria

Domain Bacteria includes some unique hyperthermophilic species. They exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments.Thermotoga species are rod-shaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating hyperthermophiles that form a sheath-like envelope called a toga. They ferment sugars or starch, producing lactate, acetate, CO₂, and H₂, and can also grow via anaerobic respiration using H₂ and ferric iron. Found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents, over 20% of their genes show strong...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature01:27

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature

Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature01:23

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature

Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...

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Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
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Thermogenesis in decomposing carcasses.

Aidan P Johnson1, Katarina M Mikac, James F Wallman

  • 1Institute for Conservation Biology and Environmental Management, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia. aidan@uow.edu.au

Forensic Science International
|July 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Bacterial metabolism significantly contributes to carcass heat during decomposition. Maggot masses may play a smaller role in overall carcass temperature elevation than previously thought in forensic entomology.

Keywords:
BacteriaDecompositionHeatingMaggot mass

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Entomology
  • Decomposition Biology
  • Microbial Ecology

Background:

  • Accurate postmortem interval estimation in forensic entomology relies on understanding factors influencing carcass temperature.
  • Maggot masses are known to elevate carcass temperatures, impacting developmental rates and time since death estimations.
  • The role of bacteria in carcass thermogenesis and their interaction with larval activity remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the heat generated by decomposition and identify bacteria present during carcass decomposition.
  • To compare thermal profiles and bacterial communities in the presence and absence of maggots.
  • To elucidate the contribution of bacterial metabolism versus maggot activity to carcass thermogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Three treatments were applied to pig carcasses: fresh, frozen, and maggot-infested, with five replicates each.
  • Temperature measurements and bacterial swabs were collected from the gastro-intestinal region of each carcass.
  • Bacterial community structure and temperature data were compared across treatments and over time.

Main Results:

  • All carcasses exhibited average maximum temperatures exceeding 32°C in a 23°C controlled environment.
  • Carcass treatment did not significantly affect overall recorded temperatures.
  • Bacterial community structure was significantly impacted by treatment and varied over time, suggesting a role in thermogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial metabolism is a significant driver of thermogenesis in decomposing carcasses.
  • While maggot masses contribute to localized heating, their overall impact on carcass temperature may be less substantial than previously assumed.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between microbial activity, maggot masses, and carcass thermal dynamics in forensic investigations.