05.02 The Digestive System
Assignment
Directions: Fill-in the blanks in the introduction. Then write journal entries from the perspective of a fatty acid or sugar molecule describing your trip through the alimentary canal.
Introduction
Did you know it takes at least six hours for food to get to the end of your small intestine, and then it takes an average of 40 hours for food to make it through your large intestine? That means the food you eat today is still with you tomorrow, and the day after that. Yeah, I didn’t know that either. But I do now. How do I know this? Well, I know because I recently experienced this journey. You see I’m a _____[fatty acid or sugar]_____ molecule found in _____[name of a food]_____. I was minding my own business one day when some human decided to eat me. I have chronicled the adventure for you below.
Hour 1
The Mouth and Pharynx
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
Is it mechanical or chemical or both? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
Which accessory organs aid in digestion? (Hint: See lesson page 4.)
The Esophagus
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
How does the nervous/endocrine system assist? (Hint: See lesson page 3.)
Hours 2-4
The Stomach
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
Is it mechanical or chemical or both? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
How does the nervous/endocrine system assist? (Hint: See lesson page 3.)
Which accessory organs aid in digestion? (Hint: See lesson page 4.)
Hours 5-7
The Small Intestine
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
Is it mechanical or chemical or both? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
How does the nervous/endocrine system assist? (Hint: See lesson page 3.)
Which accessory organs aid in digestion? (Hint: See lesson page 4.)
Hours 8-48
The Large Intestine (Colon)
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)
How does the nervous/endocrine system assist? (Hint: See lesson page 3.)
Which accessory organs aid in digestion? (Hint: See lesson page 4.)
The Rectum and Anus
Write a paragraph from the molecule’s perspective. In your paragraph, thoroughly explain:
What happens here? (Hint: See lesson page 2.)