| | FIXATION and FIXATIVES © Woods and Ellis 2000 |
 | | Once tissues are removed from the body, they undergo a process of self-destruction or autolysis which is initiated soon after cell death by the action of intracellular enzymes causing the breakdown of protein and eventual liquefaction of the cell. |
 | | Autolysis is independent of any bacterial action, retarded by cold, greatly accelerated at temperatures of about 30°C and almost inhibited by heating to 50°C. Autolysis is more severe in tissues which are rich in enzymes, such as the liver, brain and kidney, and is less rapid in tissues such as elastic fibre and collagen. |
 | | Such bacteria may normally be present in the body during life such as the non-pathogenetic organisms present in the bowel, or may be present in diseased tissues at the time of death such as in septicaemia. |
| home.primus.com.au /royellis/fix.htm (9964 words) |