Understanding the Digestive and Respiratory Systems: A Hands-On Learning Experience
This engaging laboratory activity allows students to explore the interconnectedness of the digestive and respiratory systems. Through hands-on experiments using materials like cardboard tubes and food, students will simulate digestion processes, from the mouth through to the large intestine. Key concepts include the role of enzymes, the importance of peristalsis, and nutrient absorption. Participants will actively learn about homeostasis and the functions of various digestive organs, fostering a deeper understanding of human biology in an interactive way.
Understanding the Digestive and Respiratory Systems: A Hands-On Learning Experience
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Presentation Transcript
materials • 6 funnels/cardboard tubes • 6 droppers • Cups • Food • Food coloring • Bags • Hose • Paper towels
Warm-up • Write the question and the answer you choose. How do the respiratory and circulatory systems work together? • The respiratory system takes in carbon dioxide, while the circulatory system delivers it to the cells. • The circulatory system takes in carbon dioxide, whiles the respiratory system delivers carbon dioxide to the cells. • The respiratory system takes in oxygen while the circulatory system delivers oxygen to the cells. • The circulatory system takes in oxygen, while the respiratory system delivers oxygen to the cells.
RULES • If you get out of your seat, you will be removed from the class. • If I am talking, you ARE NOT. • The materials are not for playing but for learning. • You have guided notes that must be filled in as we move through the lab.
Let’s make poop! • In your group, mash the food in your cup with your utensil • Add couple of drops of water • What do you think this represents?
Step 1: The Mouth • Digestion begins in the mouth • Saliva (spit) contains an enzyme called amylase which starts breaking down the food.
Making poop continued • Funnel the food in your cup into your cardboard tube • One person needs to push the food down the cardboard into the baggy • Knead your baggy What does the cardboard represent? The bag?
Step 2: The Stomach • Pushing food down the esophagus is called peristalsis • Your stomach breaks down food by churning and using enzymes, stomach acid, and mucus. The new mixture is called chyme. • The gall bladdercreates bile which breaks down fat • Add food coloring to the mixture to represent these 3 things!
Making poop… • Push the mixture in the baggy to the corner • Add green food coloring (Bile) • Your mixture is now called chyme • Cut a hole in the corner and pour into the hose (over the paper towels!)
Step 3: The Small Intestine • Your food has now entered the small intestine! • Nutrients are now taken through the villi • Blood vessels send it to the body
Making poop… • Set the small intestine on a paper towel • What does the paper towel do? • What does this represent?
Step 4: The Large Intestine • Here, water is drained from the excess waste • If there is not enough time for water to be absorbed-diarrhea • Too much water absorbed-constipation
And we have… • POOP!!
Clean up procedures • If you are person: • 1- get a new cup • 2-get a new baggy • 3- get a new cardboard role • 4-pantyhose and place the tray back on the counter
Homeostasis • In your notebook, write how the digestive system maintains homeostasis.
Digestive System Review • When a description appears, decide as a group which vocabulary word goes with that definition and hold up your board.
The place digestion begins • Mouth
What is the enzyme in saliva that breaks down food? • Amylase
The part of the digestive track that moves food from the mouth to the stomach • Esophagus
Breaks down food by churning and using mucus, enzymes, and acid • Stomach
Creates bile and breaks down fat • Gall Bladder
Part of the digestive track where nutrients are absorbed and sent to the rest of the body • Small intestine
Structures in the small intestine that absorb nutrients • Villi
Organ that releases a hormone to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood • Pancreas
Part of the digestive tracks that absorbs water from the excess waste • Large Intestine
Name of the mixture in your stomach once it is churned and acid, enzymes, and mucus, have been added. • Chyme