2007-03-24 12:47:42 · 15 answers · asked by becsting 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
If you're talking about maintaining viability of tissue, then the body can persist almost indefinitely without a brain or heart, as long as something maintains circulation, ventilation, and nutrition.
If you're talking about human life, with retention of uniquely-human functions, such as thoughts, speech, expressions, etc, then it is not possible without the brain.
2007-03-28 10:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by citizen insane 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Interesting question. Without blood pumping (aka - no heart), the muscles in the body start to die withing seconds, and the individual will be dead within minutes. Without a brain, the body will also die very quickly. The interesting thing about this question is that with extremely damaged brains, people can still live as long as they are provided with nourishment. Terry Schaivo was a woman with a severely damaged brain who was in a "persistive vegetative state" for over 10 years until her food was stopped (by relatives and the courts). When they autopsied her, they found that her brain had basically been like jello for the 10 years+, yet her heart continued to beat and she was very much alive (but not very productive - she just laid there breathing and converting oxygen to carbon dioxide).
2007-03-24 19:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by Evan R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acardioids (who lack a heart) cannot live that long, even if blood was being pumped through their body via medical tubes. Acraniates (lack a brain) cannot live at all. The brain controls all body functions, and the brain can die if deprived of oxygen for at least 3 minutes.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-24 22:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by allstargurl522 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When heart fails you need to pump the heart in first 6 seconds, and the brain dies if it does not recieve oxygen for 3 min. However without brain the person is dead.
2007-03-24 19:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by rachit t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could live a long time with a heart transplant or an artificial heart. However, without a functioning brain, you are a goner after a few minutes.
2007-03-24 19:55:10 · answer #5 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without your brain, you're dead. You could probably last for a couple seconds without your heart before you pass out and your brain starts to die for lack of oxygen.
2007-03-24 19:52:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define "live". The body dies in fits and pieces. Usually "human life" is considered over when the brain waves are flat, even if the heart is still beating, the kidneys still functioning, etc.
2007-03-24 19:52:04 · answer #7 · answered by April 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Brain: No time at all. Brain death is the current definition for death.
Heart: People can live for a while on cardiopulmonary bypass. But it's not really living.
2007-03-24 19:54:14 · answer #8 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
George Bush has lived without both for a long long time.
2007-03-24 20:53:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
about 2 seconds
2007-03-24 19:51:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋