What happens in the colon during digestion?

Answer 1

After traveling through the small intestine, food passes into the large intestine (colon). In the large intestine, some of the water and electrolytes (chemicals like sodium) are removed from the food. Many microbes (bacteria like Bacteroides, Lactobacilus, acidophilus, Escherichia coli) in the large intestine help in the digestion process. The first part of the large intestine is called the Cecum (the appendix is connected to the cecum). Food then travels upward through the ascending colon. The food travels across the abdomen in the transverse colon, goes back down the other side of the body in the descending colon, and then through the sigmoid colon where it waits at the rectum to be passed through the anus and expelled.

Answer 2

You have ascending, transverse, descending and pelvic colon. As waste material of digestion enters valve between ileum and colon, it is almost liquid. About one to two liters of Isotonic fluid enters the colon daily and 90 % of water is absorbed from it. By the time this waste material reaches the colon it is almost solid. Bacteria present in colon forms Vitamin K, Folic acid any other vitamins. They form methane and hydrogen sulfide gas to form flatus. Mucus secreting cells secretes mucus which helps in passage of feces. There is absorption of sodium chloride. Some amount of potassium ions and bicarbonate ions are lost.

Answer 3

In the colon, the remaining water and electrolytes are absorbed from the indigestible food particles, forming solid waste known as feces. The colon also houses a large population of bacteria that aid in the digestion of certain substances and help produce some vitamins. Peristaltic movements in the colon help propel the feces towards the rectum for eventual elimination.

Answer 4

The main thing that occurs in the colon is absorption of water, but some nutrients can also be absorbed there.