Carlifornia Crematory Manager Practice Exam

What happens during the hydrolysis process?

1. Heat is applied to freeze the remains

2. The body is broken down into liquefied components

3. The body is transformed into gas

4. The remains are preserved for future viewing

The correct answer is: The body is broken down into liquefied components

During the hydrolysis process, the body undergoes a chemical breakdown where its solid components are liquefied. This process typically involves the use of water, which facilitates the disintegration of organic material into simpler, more manageable components. Hydrolysis is a method that allows for the reduction of remains, which can be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. This choice captures the essence of what hydrolysis entails, as it focuses on the transformation of the body into a liquid state through a series of chemical reactions. The other options do not accurately represent the nature of hydrolysis; for example, freezing and gas transformation do not occur within this process, and preservation for viewing is unrelated to the primary goal of hydrolysis, which is to recycle the remains safely.