Student Exploration: Digestive System
Vocabulary: absorption, amino acid, carbohydrate, chemical digestion, chyme, complex
carbohydrate, digestion, digestive system, elimination, enzyme, fat, fatty acid, fiber, food ca
...
Student Exploration: Digestive System
Vocabulary: absorption, amino acid, carbohydrate, chemical digestion, chyme, complex
carbohydrate, digestion, digestive system, elimination, enzyme, fat, fatty acid, fiber, food calorie,
mechanical digestion, monoglyceride, nutrient, peristalsis, protein, starch, sugar, villus
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Why do we need to eat food?
We need to eat food because it provides us raw materials for growth and maintenance of
our bodies from the nutrients in fruits.
2. How do you think our bodies break food down into useful nutrients?
I think that our bodies break food down into useful nutrients using catabolism and
anabolism.
Gizmo Warm-up
The digestive system is a group of organs that does three things:
First, the digestive system breaks food down into useful
nutrients, a process called digestion.
Next, the nutrients move into the bloodstream, a process
called absorption.
Finally, the leftover waste is removed from the body, a
process called elimination.
With the Digestive System Gizmo™, you can arrange the organs of the digestive system any
way you like. To begin, look at the organs on the Large Organs tab. Place your cursor over
each organ to learn more about it.
1. Which organs allow nutrients to be absorbed?
The small intestines and the large intestine allow nutrients to be absorbed.
2. Which organ stores and compacts waste before it is eliminated?
The rectum stores and compacts waste before it is eliminated.
3. Which two organs help to break food down mechanically?
The mouth/pharynx and stomach help to break food down mechanically.
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