Question

State the difference between: Decay and Putrefaction.

Answer 1

Hint: All living organisms after a period of time experience death. As they begin to age, their bodily functions begin to deteriorate at one point, after which their system can no longer function and leads to the ultimate death. Signs and symptoms that indicate that a warm-blooded animal is not alive anymore include respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest and brain death.

Complete answer:
Once an animal dies, their body undergoes post-mortem changes. These changes include:
-Pallor Mortis: Skin becomes pale within 15-120 minutes after death.
-Algor mortis: Decrease in body temperature, the body becomes cold.
-Rigor mortis: Stiffness in the limbs making it difficult to move or manipulate.
-Livor mortis: Blood settles in the lower parts of the body.
-Putrefaction: Beginning point of body’s decomposition, skin decolourisation.
-Decomposition: The body breaks down through natural consequences, foul smell develops.
-Skeletonization: By this point, all the soft tissues have decomposed and the skeleton is left behind.
Depending on the source of organic matter decomposed, we define the terms decay and putrefaction. Both of these terms are about the decomposition of organic matter.

Putrefaction: Putrefaction is referred to as the breakdown of proteins. This ultimately leads to the decomposition of tissues and most organs get liquefied. This decomposition is brought about by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria that digest the organic matter. This releases gases that further take part in the decomposition of tissues and organs within the body. Greenish discolouration of the skin and on the undersurface of the liver are the first signs of putrefaction. Putrefaction rate depends on many underlying factors such as the cause of death, body condition, external and internal injuries before or after death. External factors affecting putrefaction rate include moisture, weather, exposure and location.
Decay: Decay is the gradual destruction or damage of a dead body or plant occurring due to natural processes. Decaying of a dead body or plant is also facilitated by the action of bacteria and fungi. Radiation also considered being one of the causes of decaying of radioactive matter. The natural process of decaying involves the breakdown of organic compounds into simpler inorganic or organic matter such as mineral salts, simple sugars, water and carbon dioxide. Decomposers are animals that aid in the decaying of organic matter. Worms are one such example of decomposers.
In conclusion, the vital difference between decay and putrefaction is that putrefaction is the decomposition of the tissues and organs within the body. Whereas, decaying is the breakdown or decomposition of the body through chemical or biological agents.

Note: Taphonomy is defined as the branch of science that deals with the study of decomposition. The sequence of the stages of decomposition is similar in all organisms. However, no two organisms undergo similar decomposition.