AboutLeslie Expertise I am a social worker in a dialysis unit. I can answer kidney transplant, Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis questions. I can aid in insurance issues, dietary issues, and almost every aspect of kidney.
I also have personal experience in these issues, having kidney failure since I was eleven, including three transplants.
Experience I have had three kidney transplants, and worked at the National Kidney Foundation and volunteered at the Gift of Life. I have signed up donors, and been a peer mentor since I was 13 years old (I am now 29). I am a kidney social worker at a well known company.
Organizations NASW
Education/Credentials Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Social Work.
Expert: Leslie Date: 12/7/2007 Subject: small intestine
Question in biology class, we had a worksheet that said that we(humans) CAN NOT live without our small intestine. I said that we can, but only if we had a "bag" put in place of the small intestine to break down(although only being on a liquid diet). She then said "Tell me how, then, do you get your nutrients." So... I looked it up. After putting together the info that i collected, i went back to her and said that we would simply drink something like a protein drink with amino acids that the stomach can transport to the blood. She then asked how we would get carbs. I said that we would drick complex carbs, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. She said to elaborate. Here I am stuck and need you expert help. Please help me. Thanks in advance,
Jake 12/6/07
Answer Hi Jake,
The small intestine is one organ that can be transplated (for people with severe Crohn's disease, etc.) I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your teacher is correct. There are four major phases in the digestive system: Chewing/Swallowing (mouth, esophagus), Breaking down of food (in the stomach), absorption (in the small intestine) and excretion (large intestine. However, the large intestine does break up some dietary fibers.
Almost all of your nutrients are the result of a person's small intestine. When you drink a supplement, it goes into your stomach and digests (without the acidic "breakdown" of a solid). The end result: the nutrients go into the small intestine, get absorbed by villi and micro villi (tiny "hairs") and go into your bloodstream through osmosis. During this time (and place), fluid also gets absorbed into your bloodstream and eventually goes through the capillaries into your kidneys to your bladder and you urinate.
Supplements are also usually thicker, (esp. a protein drink)so they would be unable to be simply absorbed by the small intestines. When in the hospital, many people get feeding tubes that only liquid passes through, yet they still have bowel movements. Also, that would be an issue for someone whose body cannot break down sugars (anything with the suffix "ose"), like someone with Diabetes.
No absorption happens in the stomach - the stomach is so acidic that, if new mucous did not form frequently, it would digest itself. It is purely to break down. This is why there are so many ads for acid reflux on TV. You can live without a stomach, but on LIMITED foods.
The large intestine is for excretion. The "high-fiber" diets are to help older folks (and some younger) keep things moving. You can live without a large intestine, but it would require a colostomy bag - which are unpleasant.
The "bag" theory could happen some day - if advancements made it possible to "man-make" villi and micro villi and connect the bag with your cardio system. If you could figure out how to do that, you would be a very rich man! (I can tell by the question you're a smart guy - thinking about medical school?)
Sorry that I couldn't concur with your findings. Maybe someday it will happen.
