WEBVTT

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Death sucks!

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But what happens to your body 
after you die is fascinating.

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So we're going to show you.

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Don't worry, it won't be gross...much.

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Once a person's breathing stops,

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the cells in their body 
stop receiving oxygen,

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but the cells continue to live 
for several minutes

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generating carbon dioxide.

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Carbon dioxide is acidic,

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and it builds up, 
rupturing sacs inside the cells.

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These sacs contain enzymes

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that begin to digest the cells 
from the inside out.

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This creates a blister-like fluid 
rich in nutrients.

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After about a week, those nutrients

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fuel an army of bacteria and fungi

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that further liquefy organs and muscles.

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The microbes that attack the tissue

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produce a bewildering array of 
more than 400 chemicals and gases.

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They include freon.

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That's right, the coolant found in refrigerators.

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Benzene, a powerful component in gasoline.

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Sulfur, which smells 
of swamps and rotten eggs.

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And the molecule known 
as Carbon Tetrachloride,

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which was used in fire extinguishers
and dry cleaning

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until scientists discovered 
it's highly toxic.

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At this point, 
there's very little flesh left,

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and it's consumed by... here it comes...

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maggots and beetles.

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Insects leave only bones behind.

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Over time, the protein 
in bone decomposes too,

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leaving just the bone mineral 
called hydroxyapatite,

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which eventually turns to dust.

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We can take some solace in the fact

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that all those nutrients and chemicals, 
even the dust,

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provide vital substances 
that make soils fertile,

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sprouting plants and other new life

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after our lives have ended.

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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

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[Written and narrated by Mark Fischetti]
[Assistant Editor: Kathryn Free]

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[Produced, edited & 
animated by Eric R. Olson]