Abstract

This essay sets out to explore what was learned through researching the sources needed for the presentation on linking physics to the gastrointestinal system. As physics is an applicable and physical science as well as a theoretical science it can be applied to a wide range of systems both biological and manmade. This Essay sets out to explore not only what was learned but the connections made.

Keyword: Physics, biological, essay, explore

The System

We often think of systems as man made or non-biological such as a computer, a power station, or even the electrical system of our cars when they break down; rarely do we think of biological systems and a bit closer to home the biological systems that we depend on daily and each moment to keep us alive. The gastrointestinal system is a system that doesn’t just include the stomach and intestines, it’s a system that stems through three biological cavities. The cavities it spans are the cranial, thoracic, and abdominal; the reason for this is due to the fact that the gastrointestinal system starts with the mouth and nose and ends with the rectum. What I learned through my research for this presentation was the very real ways in which the human body is a system that the rules and laws of physics touch.

The Physics

Throughout my research I noticed that there where a few recurring physics related subjects that arose and could be applied to the GI system. I learned more about velocity, feedback loop systems both negative and positive, and pressure. These three things span many other systems to be sure but for today the focus will be on the GI system. A feedback loop system is a system that is either negative or positive, a positive example of a feedback loop in the human body is the GI system as its goal is to maintain homeostasis. A negative feedback loop can also be found in the body in the form of the human immune system which attacks and removes invading bacteria and pathogens so that they cannot harm the entire body.

Velocity came into use through the fact that velocity is “ a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow” (Princeton University, 2019” this came into handy when understanding the reasons for constipation as food is digested and passed through the small and large intestine on it’s way to the rectum if there isn’t enough liquid or lubrication on can end up constipated. Most of us think nothing of constipation in our modern era of remedies that can be bought at the local supermarket or garden but before the modern era it could cause death. Henry VII suffered from constipation throughout his reign and it is believed by some historians that it played a part in his death due to his habit of binge eating even when he hadn’t made a bowel movement. When the digested food sits in the large intestine it is exposed to bacteria and starts to ferment thus creating not only a more solid mass but also gas. This gas and collection of solid mass is known to anyone who has experienced constipation as the discomfort that follows being constipated but in extreme cases it can prove to be dangerous to the intestines by causing them to tear and to the rectum as pushing can also cause them to tear and bleed thus leaving one more open to infection.

Conclusion

In closing I learned a great deal about the bodily systems and how physics something I thought of as abstract and not related to the biological functions of the body could help me understand the body a great deal more. This presentation even helped me understand the symptoms and benefits that I have been able to enjoy due to undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

References for both the paper and presentation

Cabane, B., & Vuillmueire, R. (2004). The physics of liquid water. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631071304002780

Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Esophageal Manometry. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4952-esophageal-manometry-test

David Hu,Patricia Yang,The Conversation. (2017, May 6). The Physics of Poop. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-physics-of-poop/

Harvard Health Publishing. (2018, July 13). The gut-brain connection. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection

Princeton University. (2019). DEFINITION OF VISCOSITY. Retrieved from https://www.princeton.edu/~gasdyn/Research/T-C_Research_Folder/Viscosity_def.html

Ridgeway, C. (2018, July 16). The Physical Decline of Henry VIII by Sarah Bryson. Retrieved from https://www.tudorsociety.com/the-physical-decline-of-henry-viii-by-sarah-bryson/

Sci. (2019). Large intestine function. Retrieved from https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1832-large-intestine-function