The ultimate self-defense

Inside the human stomach

Chapter 1

The physical blender

Chapter 2

The chemical cauldron

Chapter 3

The ultimate self-defense

Chapter 4

The brain-gut hotline

YOUR GOAL

Master of Inside the human stomach

Ch 3 · The ultimate self-defense

artiteacher Rapid-fire cell renewal every few days

artiteacher The ultimate self-defense

Shielding the walls, shielding the walls! This mucus barrier never falls!

artiteacher The slimy force field of mucus

The ulcer-causing invader in the stomach

artiteacher A tough bacterium named Helicobacter pylori can bypass stomach acid to cause painful ulcers.

Rapid-fire cell renewal every few days

artiteacher The stomach completely replaces its entire inner lining every three to five days.

Tummy Shield Buddy

BETA

artiteacher Block digestive acids with your shield to learn how the stomach digests food safely.

Fun Fact

Fast healing: The stomach heals faster than almost any other organ, repairing minor surface damage within just a few hours.

Glossary

mucus (noun)
A viscous, slippery substance secreted by mucous membranes to protect and lubricate surfaces. In 1833, William Beaumont discovered that this slimy coating shields the stomach wall from corrosive gastric acid.

Gossip

What is your go-to remedy for heartburn?

Quiz

Why does acid reflux burn the esophagus but not the stomach?

artiteacher The danger of acid reflux in humans

Gossip

Would you swallow bacteria for a prize?

Quiz

Which cells in the stomach lining secrete the protective mucus?

Quiz

What is the name of the deep microscopic indentations where new stomach cells are born?

Quiz

What did scientist Barry Marshall do to prove that bacteria caused stomach ulcers?

Quiz

How often does the human stomach completely replace its inner lining?

Quiz

Which chemical compound is embedded in stomach mucus to neutralize acid?

Quiz

What is a painful sore that develops on the lining of the stomach called?

Quiz

Which bacterium is the primary cause of most stomach ulcers?