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? Food provides a source of energy and raw materials for
growth and development.
2. How do you think our bodies break food down into useful nutrients? Teeth chew food
into small pieces, which are swallowed and are then transported to the stomach.
Chemicals in the stomach and intestines further break down food into simple nutrients,
which are absorbed into blood.
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. A description will appear in the box at the top of the screen.
1. Which organs allow nutrients to be absorbed? Small and large intestine
2. Which organ stores and compacts waste before it is eliminated? Rectum
3. Which two organs help to break food down mechanically? Mouth, Stomach
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