Rigor mortis typically reaches full rigidity after how many hours?

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Multiple Choice

Rigor mortis typically reaches full rigidity after how many hours?

Explanation:
Rigor mortis happens when the body's muscles become stiff after death because cellular energy (ATP) is no longer available to detach the myosin heads from actin filaments. Without ATP, the cross-bridges stay locked and the muscles rigidify. This process begins a few hours after death and progresses until the body reaches full-body rigidity. In most cases, full rigidity is reached around 12 hours after death. Temperature and activity before death can shift the timing: higher temperatures speed onset, cooler temperatures slow it. After about a day, the stiffness starts to fade as decomposition progresses.

Rigor mortis happens when the body's muscles become stiff after death because cellular energy (ATP) is no longer available to detach the myosin heads from actin filaments. Without ATP, the cross-bridges stay locked and the muscles rigidify.

This process begins a few hours after death and progresses until the body reaches full-body rigidity. In most cases, full rigidity is reached around 12 hours after death. Temperature and activity before death can shift the timing: higher temperatures speed onset, cooler temperatures slow it. After about a day, the stiffness starts to fade as decomposition progresses.

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