Digestion

The human body digestive system (diagram shown below) consists of the Gastrointestinal Tract [GIT] (a.k.a. alimentary canal) and accessory organs (tongue, liver, pancreas, etc.). These work together to convert food into energy and other basic nutrients to power the body. The food we take in is digested and utilized by our body, and the unused parts of the food are defecated. In humans, the process is quite simple due to our one-chambered stomach, unlike other animals such as cows, which have four chambers.

Digestion (catabolism) is divided into two types - the mechanical digestion of food that occurs in the mouth when it is physically broken up into smaller pieces and the chemical digestion that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract when the food is broken down into small molecules by digestive enzymes. Some of the latter are produced by our bodies, others are made by bacteria - by both fermentation and metabolism. Chemical digestion is the process of breaking down complex, insoluble molecules of food into smaller, simpler molecules which can then be readily absorbed by the body.

Output

In addition to water-soluble molecules suitable for absorption, chemical digestion also produces various gasses, including Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Sulphite, Methane and traces of various other gasses. These are generally expelled from the body in three major ways:

- Eructation (via esophagus and mouth) - H2, CH4, CO2
- Diffusion (via lungs), - O2, CO2, H2 and
- Flatus (via intestines and anus); - N2, O2, H2, CO2, CH4, H2S

Our attention is focused on the latter - how to contain and manage flatus responsibly. Read on for more on , its impact on the enviroenvironment and health.