Final answer:
Livor mortis is the discoloration caused by gravity's effect on blood pooling postmortem, resulting in purplish-red skin in lower body parts, distinct from jaundice's yellow tinge due to bilirubin buildup.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discoloration due to the effects of gravity on blood and body fluids is known as livor mortis. This phenomenon occurs after death, as the blood settles in the lower parts of the body, causing a purplish-red discoloration of the skin. Livor mortis is one aspect of the postmortem changes that take place when the heart no longer pumps blood, and it reflects the force of gravity on the blood that pools in the capillaries and small veins. This coloration is different from jaundice, which is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment resulting from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Jaundice manifests a yellow tinge to the skin and mucous membranes and is different from livor mortis as it can occur while an individual is still alive due to various medical conditions such as liver disease.