Final answer:
The buildup of gases within a dead body is primarily due to the decomposition of tissues, which is a process where bacteria break down soft tissues, producing gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide that cause bloating and other post-mortem changes. Option a) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The buildup of gases within a dead body predominantly occurs due to the decomposition of tissues. After death, the body's natural processes come to a halt, and bacteria within the gut and other areas of the body start to break down soft tissues. This decomposition process produces various gases, including methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, which contribute to the bloating and post-mortem changes seen in the body.
Decomposition is a natural process driven by bacterial and enzymatic activity. These gases emanate from the body's tissues as a result of the bacteria feeding on the cells and breaking down proteins and other cellular structures. The correct answer to why gases build up within a dead body is option a) Decomposition of tissues.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide flow during the gas exchange between the blood and body cells involves oxygen being taken up by the bloodstream and carbon dioxide being released as a waste product. However, after death, cellular respiration ceases, leading to the accumulation and release of gases through decomposition.