would his or her body decompose?
2007-06-14 11:32:31 · 8 answers · asked by wonder 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If the body was in a space suit with sufficient oxygen for the bacteria to survive then yes it would decompose.
If the body was left on the surface the continual heating and cooling would probably turn it to dust in a short time period.
2007-06-14 19:20:25 · answer #1 · answered by Bob S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Decomposition is a natural process of cellular degradation called apoptosis. Appoptosis in the case of death is due to lack of survival signals via the Gprotine coupled receptor/ 2nd messenger system. this lack of "survival" input would eventually cause a protein inballance between molecules such a BAX, BAK and BID (protein that induce apoptosis) and P53 and the Bcl-2 families (proteins that prevent apoptosis).
Mitochondrial membranes would then break down releasing their contents into the cytoplasm and committing the cell to Programed cell death. The body would begin to degrade naturally.
However, what usually happens is that many microorganisms speed this up and allow more rapid decomposition. Given that a space suit is, in effect a micro environment, this would not occur.
To answer the question, Yes the body would decompose- but at a much lower rate as that whihc is seen on erath. As to the matter of recovery of the body- i imagine they would, as both NASA and the Govenrment of America could play it off as a PR boost.
2007-06-14 11:46:21 · answer #2 · answered by Randathamane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was in a sealed spacesuit, then the natural internal bacteria in any living organism would cause it to decompose.
If it was not in a spacesuit, then it would likely mummify (become completely dehydrated) before it could decompose.
2007-06-14 14:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure that is a very good question. My guess would be that it wouldn't rot because it is so cold up there, there body would just stay frozen and would not rot because cold stops rotting.
2007-06-16 01:03:20 · answer #4 · answered by Hoodoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he is not removed from his space suit, he will decompose, other wise he will freeze
2007-06-14 11:37:58 · answer #5 · answered by doom98999 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not if it were left in a vacuum. It would just freeze dry.
2007-06-14 11:35:47 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, since it would be frozen solid. It would become an ice mummy.
2007-06-14 12:25:06 · answer #7 · answered by Somes J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mummify would be more like it
2007-06-18 11:08:42 · answer #8 · answered by hilltopobservatory 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋