Question

Index is a measure of fluid strength which considers the percentage of:

A) Formaldehyde in the embalming fluid
B) Water in the embalming fluid
C) Methanol in the embalming fluid
D) Ethanol in the embalming fluid

Answer 1

Index is a measure of the strength of embalming fluids and refers to the percentage of formaldehyde present in the solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The index is a measure of the fluid strength of embalming fluids and considers the percentage of formaldehyde in the embalming fluid. Formaldehyde, known chemically as HCHO, is a potent fixative and is used to preserve biological specimens and in the embalming process. An aqueous solution of formaldehyde is known as formalin and typically contains about 37% to 40% formaldehyde by weight. Due to its ability to cause the coagulation of proteins, it is effective in killing bacteria and halting decomposition, which is essential in preserving tissues.