Gina Johnson
What's Happening to My Body? is a book series aimed at preteen and teen girls, written by Lynda Madaras, an experienced educator, and her daughter, Area Madaras. The series covers topics such as the body's changing size and shape, growth spurts, breast development, reproductive organs, and the menstrual cycle. It also addresses issues like anorexia, bulimia, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control. Understanding these changes can help girls navigate their transitioning bodies and emotions during puberty. In addition to guides for girls, there are also broader discussions on what happens to our physical bodies after death, including the process of decomposition and the role of bacteria in breaking down bodily remains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body after death | Begins the process of decomposition |
| Body temperature | Decreases by 1.5 °F (0.84 °C) per hour |
| Discoloration of skin | Begins to set in about an hour after death, but usually isn't visible until a few hours later |
| Rigor mortis | Stiffness of the body that occurs about 2-6 hours after death |
| Body movement | Caused by filaments consisting of proteins actin and myosin |
| Bacteria | Feed on the body and produce waste, resulting in the sights and smells of decomposition |
| Putrescine and cadaverine | Compounds associated with corpse smell |
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What You'll Learn
When I exercise
When you exercise, your body undergoes a range of physiological changes that have both short-term and long-term effects. Within the first 10 minutes of starting a new exercise, your body stimulates and inhibits certain processes to enable more efficient exercise. Your cardio-respiratory system increases its activity, while your digestive system slows down. Your heart rate increases, providing an increased supply of oxygen-rich blood to your brain and muscles, making you more alert and blocking pain signals.
In the short term, exercise causes an immediate rise in heart rate and breathing rate, as your muscles require more oxygen to produce energy. This increased blood flow and oxygen delivery also benefit your brain, improving your mood and cognitive function. Additionally, your body starts to burn more calories, aiding in weight management.
Over time, consistent exercise leads to improved endurance, allowing you to perform the same activities for longer durations without feeling winded. Your lung capacity increases, and your heart becomes a more efficient pump, reducing your resting blood pressure. Exercise also helps build muscle mass, which further elevates your resting metabolic rate.
The benefits of regular exercise extend beyond physical health. It can improve your mental health, boost your self-confidence, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercise can also positively impact your social, financial, and overall life satisfaction.
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When I die
When you die, your body will undergo various changes. The timeline of these changes will depend on your health, the treatments you were receiving, and the cause of death. For instance, untreated sudden cardiac arrest can result in death within minutes, while chronic illnesses may take weeks or months.
As death nears, your breathing patterns will become unpredictable, and you may go for longer periods without breathing. Eventually, you will take your final breath. Your heart will stop beating, and your brain will cease functioning. During this time, it is possible that you will still be able to feel comforting touches and hear the voices of your loved ones, as touch and hearing are the last senses to go.
Within minutes of death, your body will start to undergo physical changes. Your muscles will relax, and your skin may sag, making your bone structure more visible. Your eyelids will lose their tension, your pupils will dilate, and your jaw may fall open. Your body temperature will also start to drop, decreasing by about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.83 degrees Celsius) per hour until it matches the temperature of your surroundings.
Within two to six hours after death, your muscles will begin to stiffen due to chemical changes in your body. This process is called rigor mortis, and it occurs when chemical bridges form between the proteins actin and myocin, causing the muscles to contract and stay that way until the bridges break down. Rigor mortis typically peaks after seven to twelve hours, after which the muscles will start to relax again.
In the days following your death, your body will continue to decompose as bacteria spread throughout your body and begin to "feed" on it. This process, called putrefaction, involves the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and other compounds in the body, producing gases that swell the abdomen and eventually break the skin.
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When I sleep
Sleep is a period during which the brain engages in several activities that are essential for life and closely linked to one's quality of life. When you sleep, your body undergoes various changes that enable rest and recovery, which are vital for your overall health.
The first three stages of sleep are non-REM sleep. The first stage is short and is the transition from being awake to falling asleep. In the second stage, the body and mind slow down as you settle into sleep. It is easy to be awoken during these first two stages. The third stage is deep sleep, during which the body and brain slow down even further and recovery takes place.
The fourth stage is REM sleep, during which brain activity increases to levels similar to when you are awake, which is why this stage is associated with intense dreams. While breathing and heart rate increase during REM sleep, most muscles are paralysed, preventing you from acting out your dreams. The cycle then repeats, with each cycle taking between 70 and 120 minutes.
During sleep, your body repairs cells, restores energy, and releases molecules like hormones and proteins. Sleep also allows the brain to clear out waste from the central nervous system, removing toxic byproducts that build up during the day.
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When I age
Ageing is a complex process that varies from person to person, but there are some common changes that occur in the body as we grow older. Firstly, all vital organs begin to lose some function as a result of cell and tissue changes. Cells are the basic building blocks of tissues, and as they age, they function less effectively and eventually die. This is a normal part of the body's functioning, and old cells must die to make room for new cells. The death of old cells can be triggered by a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell suicide, which is caused by factors such as cell damage or an excess number of cells. Certain organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys, experience the biggest changes in function as we age. For example, the heart of a 20-year-old is capable of pumping about 10 times the amount of blood needed to keep the body alive, but after age 30, there is a gradual loss of this reserve capacity.
The musculoskeletal system is often one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, with changes to the eyes and ears occurring in mid-life. Height loss is another common change, with people typically losing about 1 centimetre every 10 years after the age of 40. This height loss is related to changes in the bones, muscles, and joints, such as the drying and flattening of the discs between the vertebrae in the spine. Muscle loss, or atrophy, can also lead to a more stooped posture and a decrease in core strength. Bones may lose minerals and become less dense, which can lead to conditions such as osteopenia and osteoporosis.
In addition to physical changes, the ageing process also includes mental and psychological adaptations. Memory and cognitive abilities, such as learning and thinking, change throughout life, and older adults may find themselves less able to handle various stresses, including strenuous physical activity and extreme temperature changes. However, it is important to note that the ageing process is not solely determined by the number of years lived, but also by biological factors such as overall health, physical fitness, and mental well-being.
While ageing is inevitable, there are lifestyle choices that can slow down or accelerate the process. Regular exercise, particularly muscle-strengthening exercises, can help delay or overcome the loss of muscle mass and strength. Maintaining a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can also be beneficial. Additionally, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco and illicit drugs, and staying socially active can positively impact the ageing process.
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When I eat
Once I've chewed and formed a bolus (a soft mass of semi-digested food), I swallow, and the food travels down the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach is a muscular bag that churns the food with digestive juices, including hydrochloric acid and enzymes, to further break it down. This acidic environment is hostile to most microorganisms, protecting me from potential harmful bacteria or parasites in my food. The stomach muscles contract to mix and break down food even further, a process that can take a variable amount of time depending on the type of food I've eaten.
From the stomach, partially digested food, now a thick liquid, passes into the small intestine. This is where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase its surface area, allowing for maximum nutrient absorption. Different types of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, are absorbed at different rates and in different parts of the small intestine. This process is aided by hormones and bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which helps to emulsify fats, making them easier to digest.
As food moves through the small intestine, the large intestine, or colon, absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible matter. This forms stool, which is then stored in the rectum until it can be eliminated from the body through defecation. The colon is also home to a diverse community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiota, which play a crucial role in maintaining digestive health and even influencing overall well-being.
Eating triggers a cascade of hormonal and neurological signals that communicate the state of hunger and satiety to the brain. As food is digested and nutrients are absorbed, various hormones are released, signaling to the brain that I am full and satisfied. This intricate communication between the gut and the brain is an essential aspect of maintaining energy balance and overall health.
Additionally, the process of eating and digestion has broader implications for my overall health and well-being. A healthy and balanced diet provides my body with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally, supporting everything from my immune system to my mental health. Eating is not just a physical process but a sensory and emotional experience as well, often intertwined with social and cultural aspects of our lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Your body will begin to decompose, which is a long process of shedding its components. The body will cool and decrease in temperature, and the process of autolysis or "self-digestion" will begin.
Autolysis is when enzymes begin to digest the membranes of oxygen-deprived cells.
Your body will begin to break down the food into smaller components to extract nutrients and energy. The leftover waste will be stored in your colon until it is eliminated through defecation.
Your body will undergo physical and mental repairs, and your brain will process and consolidate information from the day.
Your body will burn calories and build muscle, depending on the type of exercise you engage in. Your heart rate and breathing rate will increase, and your body will produce sweat to cool down.
