The detailed structure of
the stomach....
We attain the fundamental
materials required for the
life-sustaining activities
such as the renewal of our
cells and the function of
our organs, by means of
various food and
beverages. Yet, each food
we consume has to be
dissolved into these basic
materials in order to be
used in our bodies as a
result of fundamental
changes. During this
process, stomach has a
very significant role. The
stomach, which is itself
indeed a type of meat,
releases a type of acid in
order to digest meat – yet
it never mistakenly digests
itself. In order to provide
this, there is a particular
system created in the
stomach.
How does the acid strong
enough to digest a razor
become inactive in the
stomach?
Stomach has a very
splendid structure where
each stage serves a
complex purpose. The food
we consume reaches the
stomach after passing
through the gullet. The
digestion process is
different than that of
mouth. In stomach, very
strong acids are activated.
As soon as the food reaches
the stomach down from
the gullet; the cells on the
surface of the stomach
start to release plasma
called gastric acid. At the
same time, chemical
digestive liquids called
pepsin and hydrochloric
acid are also released.
These acids are strong
enough to digest a razor
blade. These acids have to
exist in order to digest the
hard-to-digest materials
such as proteins. However,
there is a very significant
detail, here. The stomach
itself is consisted of
proteins. Then, how come
an acid capable of
digesting a razor blade
does not harm the
stomach ’s itself, at all?
This is one of the unique
examples of creation in
human body. The stomach
does not digest itself,
thanks to its indented
structure. In the deep
indents of the stomach
walls, there are cells having
features different than one
another. In a very fine-
tuned balance, while the
particular cells are
releasing acids, the other
cells around them release a
kind of sticky plasma. This
plasma called “Mucus”
covers the surface of the
stomach and protects the
stomach wall against the
acids like a shield; and thus
it prevents enzymes to
hurt stomach. Mucus not
only prevents the
proteolytic enzymes from
entering into the cells, as
well as the viruses causing
infection and other
microorganisms; but also
eases the movement of
foods in the canal and thus
functions as a lubricant.
Stomach Acid is Strong
Enough to Pierce a Carpet
How do these proceedings
happen and how is this
protective environment
formed in the stomach?
Could it be possible that
the cells in the stomach
decide to produce these
materials on their own and
that somehow they
discovered the formula of
these protective materials?
Let us consider what the
cells might need in order to
be able to do so:
First of all, in order to
produce these materials
required for digestion,
some particular cells must
be aware of that food need
to be digested. The same
cells must know that they
would actually need a
material such as acid for
the digestion. Later on,
they need to find the
formula of the most
suitable type of acid and
then start production in
accordance with this
formula. For the production
of protective material,
some cells need to
determine that this acid
might hurt the stomach
itself and then need to
examine the samples they
collected from the acids in
the lab and thus need to
develop a formula to stop
the effect of the acid. In the
meanwhile, even a single
drop of this acid, is strong
enough to pierce the
carpet. Therefore, a single
mistake in the formula
would result in that the
stomach would be
digested by the acids
completely.
It is for sure that the
formation of the materials
stabilizing one another in
the stomach is not that
easy, at all. Finding the
correct formula for the
materials is a significantly
difficult issue, on its own.
Nevertheless, it is not
possible for a cell – so tiny
that even the eye can’t see-
to develop chemical
formulas and thus to form
materials by compounding
these formulas. It would be
irrational to claim that a
cell consisted of
unconscious atoms is
capable of having such a
reasoning and talent.
Besides, even if we accept
being irrational and
assume that the acid in the
stomach is somehow
formed; it will be
impossible to expect the
formation of the stabilizing
material in time. This is
because, the acids that are
strong enough to digest a
razor blade would destroy
the stomach ’s itself in a
very short time. Therefore,
it would be impossible to
expect the acids waiting in
the stomach not only for
millions of years but also
even for 2 or 3 days.
(Harun Yahya, Miracle of
Man)
Any changes that might
happen in our body system
would cause the distortion
of all complex systems, the
incapability of performing
duties fully and sometimes
it would result in
damaging the body.
Nonetheless, thanks to the
wonderful creation by Our
Lord, these proceedings
continue constantly and
regularly and within a
great harmony. All these
proceedings are only one
of the innumerable
examples of the perfect
creation and order in
Allah’s supreme creation.
Allah created the human
body in the most perfect
way as a whole: In a verse
of the Holy Quran:
"To Him be glory
throughout the heavens
and the earth: and He is
Exalted in Power, Full of
Wisdom!." (Surah Al-
Jathiyya, 37)