Where does the Electricity in our bodies go when we die?

Question

Our mind and muscles use electricity.. Where does it go when we die??

Answer 1

Let me first correct you on something. While there are tiny electrical impulses in our nerves, these are transient, they do not stay "on" all of the time (God forbid, otherwise we'd be in a lot of trouble). Some muscle experiences low-level electrical activity, called tonus, but that is not akin to a "current" as in a wire.

The reason we have these small magnitude electrical impulses has to do with charge differential (better known as "voltage"). When you separate two charges of opposite sign, or different magnitude, that potential difference allows the movement of current and electrons. In our bodies, small pumps that are powered by ATP molecules generate a charge differential by pumping out Na+ ions actively. The result is that the cell is "polarized" and negative (keep in mind that terms like negative and positive are relative. The charge differential need not be between two opposite charges, just between different magnitudes relative to each other). The machinery for the transmission of an electrical signal is rather complicated, but in essence the charge differential allows movement of a current along a neuron. The neuron is a special nerve cell that responds to both electrical and chemical signals.

When we die, the chemicals (aka neurotransmitters) are no longer actively manufactured in our bodies. Furthermore, no signals are generated because when we die the Central Nervous System dies, meaning it no longer sends signals, nor receives them.

The electricity you mention simply dies with us. It only exists when we exist. It is not stored, as in a battery.

Answer 2

Bloggerdude is essentially right but missed the answer. When we die, we no longer make ATP, so there is no ATP to drive the ion pumps. So all the polarized membranes lose their charge. You have to remember that these ion pumps are continually turned on because there is leakage through ion pores, and depolarization of the membrane so ATP is continuallly being used to work the ion pumps to maintain a voltage gradient across the membrane. When ATP is no longer produced, the gradient dissipates.

Answer 3

The sodium ions and the potassium ions of our nervous system are evacuated by the explosion of the nerve cells, so those ions are release freely in the whole organism and become inert as the cells loose their capacity to connect with those ions.
Of course, this process take a few days, and in some very rare case few weeks as the body don't die at the same time of the brain do.

Answer 4

Hi. I was reading your reply misoma5, and sounds like You say in 2 parts that the Electricity does leave the body. Once,"the gradient dissipates".and then "membranes lose their charge".. I think He want to know Where that Charge Goes..

Great Answers...

Answer 5

I would think to ground, as with most electrical units do if they are properly wired. When batteries wear out, they die. So when our batteries wear out we too die .

Answer 6

I suppose it just joins the vast, natural flow that surrounds us all- all the time. -Kinda like the way our "ashes & dust" do- as they join THEIR own... Ma Nature is the ULTIMATE Recycler! :)