Thanatology: somatic and molecular death: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Thanatology: somatic and molecular death

Sample item

A 30-year-old man is declared dead after a cardiac arrest, with no pulse, respiration or reflexes. Two hours later the transplant coordinator notes that his corneas and skin are still suitable for grafting. Which statement best explains this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Molecular death, the death of individual cells and tissues, lags behind somatic death and proceeds at different rates in different tissues

Somatic death is the irreversible cessation of function of the brain, heart and lungs. Molecular death follows as cells run out of oxygen and substrate, and tissues such as cornea, skin and bone survive for hours, which is why they can be harvested after death is certified.

Option by option

  • A. Somatic death is incomplete until the corneal cells die, so he was not truly dead when declared

    Death is certified on the basis of loss of vital functions, not on the death of every cell.

  • B. Molecular death, the death of individual cells and tissues, lags behind somatic death and proceeds at different rates in different tissues (correct)

    Correct. Cells die progressively after somatic death, and different tissues tolerate hypoxia for different periods.

  • C. The corneal cells survive only because rigor mortis protects them from autolysis

    Rigor mortis is a muscle change and has no protective effect on corneal cells.

  • D. Viable tissue after death shows that the brain stem was still functioning at the time of declaration

    Persisting cell viability says nothing about brain stem function, which is judged clinically.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Molecular death, the death of individual cells and tissues, lags behind somatic death and proceeds at different rates in different tissues. Somatic death is the irreversible cessation of function of the brain, heart and lungs.

Why is "Somatic death is incomplete until the corneal cells die, so he was no…" not the answer?

Death is certified on the basis of loss of vital functions, not on the death of every cell.

Why is "The corneal cells survive only because rigor mortis protects them fro…" not the answer?

Rigor mortis is a muscle change and has no protective effect on corneal cells.

Why is "Viable tissue after death shows that the brain stem was still functio…" not the answer?

Persisting cell viability says nothing about brain stem function, which is judged clinically.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: somatic and molecular death in Forensic Medicine. Molecular death follows as cells run out of oxygen and substrate, and tissues such as cornea, skin and bone survive for hours, which is why they can be harvested after death is certified.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thanatology: somatic and molecular death?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.