Death

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/death

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the biological definition?The irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism
2. What is the annual global mortality?Approximately 56 million deaths occur worldwide each year
3. Why do animals and people die?Most living things die because they get older and their bodies stop working. Some diseases can also cause death.
4. What happens to a body after it dies?The body starts to break down in a process called decomposition. This helps return the body’s parts to the earth so new life can grow.

Irreversible Cessation: A permanent and complete stopping of all vital biological processes.
Decomposition: The breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms after death, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
Cardiovascular Disease: A class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels, a leading cause of death.
Brain Death: The irreversible loss of all functions of the brain, including the brainstem, serving as a definitive marker of death.