Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Digestive Detectives: What Do You Know?

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this learning activity, students will review an image representing the structures and functions of the digestive system. After observing the image, students will be asked to state what problems could occur in the digestive process, including any diseases or disorders they may have heard of. 

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Resource Development Summit.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Human Anatomy and Physiology

    SC15.HAP.8

    Communicate scientific information to explain the relationship between the structures and functions, both mechanical (e.g., chewing, churning in stomach) and chemical (e.g., enzymes, hydrochloric acid [HCl] in stomach), of the digestive system, including the accessory organs (e.g., salivary glands, pancreas).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.HAP.8

    Vocabulary

    • digestive tract/ alimentary canal
    • accessory digestive organs: salivary glands, pancreas, liver, gallbladder
    • gastrulation
    • ingestion
    • mastication
    • salivary amylase
    • esophagus
    • reverse peristalsis
    • protease
    • mucosa
    • cholecystokinin
    • gastrin
    • secretin
    • chyme
    • enerokinases
    • parenteral nutrition
    • hepatic
    • flatulence
    • feces
    • buccal/ oral cavity
    • palate (hard and soft)
    • intrinsic/ extrinsic tongue muscles
    • glands (salivary, parotid, sublingual, submandibular)
    • teeth (incisors, canine/ cuspid, bicuspid/ premolars, molars, wisdom)
    • esophagus
    • stomach
    • lamina propria
    • mucosae, submucosa
    • adventitia/ serosa
    • cardiac sphincter
    • reflux
    • regions—upper (cardiac), middle (fundic), lower (pyloric)
    • cells (parietal, chief, mucous neck, gastric stem)
    • glands (cardiac, fundic, pyloric)
    • pyloric sphincter
    • intestine (small and large)
    • duodenum
    • jejunum
    • ileum
    • villi
    • mesentery
    • cecum
    • cecum
    • appendix
    • colon (transverse, descending, sigmoid)
    • rectum
    • anus
    • dysphagia
    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
    • Crohn's disease
    • Celiac disease
    • Diverticulitus
    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    • Ameobic dysentery
    • polyps
    • hepatitis
    • hernia
    • pancreatitis

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The digestive system is composed of the digestive tract (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum) and accessory digestive organs (salivary glands, pancreas, liver, gallbladder).
    • Mechanical digestion includes chewing (mastication), swallowing, peristalsis, churning in the stomach).
    • Chemical digestion is contributed to by enzymes, acids, and hormones.
    • The hypothalamus regulates hunger and thirst.
    • Chemical and mechanical digestion begin in the mouth.
    • Perstalsis moves food through the digestive tract.
    • The stomach uses enzymes and acids (chemical) and churning(mechanical) to digest proteins.
    • Hormones produced by the stomach and small intestine regulate digestion.
    • Digestion of most food takes place in the proximal portions of the small intestine while absorption of digested food takes place in the distal portions.
    • The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes in its proximal components and feces is formed in the distal portions.
    • Exocrine functions of the pancreas involve the production of digestive enzymes.
    • The endocrine function of the pancreas involves insulin and glucagon, which regulate sugar.
    • Bile production is a major function of the liver.
    • The gallbladder stores and releases bile, which helps with fat digestion.
    • Food intolerances are caused by the inability to absorb or digest food.
    • Polyps are outgrowths of the mucosa that can devlop into cancer.
    • Ulcers are caused by erosion fo the digestive tract mucosa.
    • Digestive system gland disorders include cirrhosis, hepatitis, and pancreatitis.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Gather, read, and interpret scientific information about the structures of the digestive system that contribute to mechanical digestion.
    • Gather, read, and interpret scientific information about the function of the structures of the digestive system that contribute to mechanical digestion.
    • Gather, read, and interpret scientific information about the structures of the digestive system that contribute to chemical digestion.
    • Gather, read, and interpret scientific information about the function of the structures of the digestive system that contribute to chemical digestion.
    • Communicate scientific information, in multiple formats (e.g., orally, graphically, textually) to explain the structure and function of the mechanical and chemical digestive system, as a whole, and of its intrinsic parts.
    • Use scientific literature to identify conditions and diseases that effect the digestive system.
    • Evaluate, based on evidence, how these conditions and diseases affect the body.
    • Analyze data in order to make a valid and reliable scientific claim about how the body responds to the identified conditions and diseases in its attempt to maintain homeostasis.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The digestive system is made of several different tissues, organs, and accessory organs that ultimately break down food into smaller, usable molecules that can be absorbed and transported by the blood to the rest of the body's tissues.
    • The digestive system creates and eliminates solid waste from the parts of foods that aren't transported into the bloodstream.
    • Numerous organs/accessory organs are structurally designed to play several different roles in the digestion process.
    • Several reactions/systems (glycolysis, electron transport chain, glucogenesis, amination, TCA cycle, etc. occur and contribute to metabolism.
    • Several factors (genetics, diet, exercise, stress, etc.) can contribute to the development of digestive disorders.
    • Lifestyle choices and various medications can help alleviate digestive disorders.
    • Multiple systems interact to play a part in digestive pathology.
    • Various organs and locations within those organs are affected, depending on each digestive disorder.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect; Structure and Function
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Human Anatomy and Physiology

    SC15.HAP.8a

    Obtain and communicate information to demonstrate an understanding of the disorders of the digestive system (e.g., ulcers, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis).

    Phase

    Before/Engage
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    Students will be able to state in writing what they know about digestive diseases and disorders.

    Activity Details

    1. The teacher will project Figure 2 from the digital resource. To access the article without using the link, navigate to the AVL website. Click "High School" then "AccessScience (McGraw Hill)." Search for "digestive system" and locate the article titled "Digestive System" by Edward C. Stevens. Scroll to Figure 2. Click the button directly below the image to open it larger in its own tab. The image will serve as a reminder to students of the structures and functions of the digestive system.

    2. The teacher will instruct the students to observe the image for 1-2 minutes. After the observation period, students will write on a physical or digital sticky note their ideas about what problems could arise in the digestive system.

    3. Students will observe the image and then write down and post their ideas about what problems could arise in the digestive system.

    4. The teacher will review the answers students wrote and discuss with students why and how they think these problems could occur.

    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    The teacher will review student responses to the posed question to gauge their current understanding of digestive diseases and disorders.

    Acceleration

    Students who know a lot about digestive system diseases and disorders can share what they know with the class. 

    Intervention

    Students who know little about digestive disorders and diseases may choose to work with a partner who has more knowledge on the topic. Students may also be provided with the Common Digestive Diseases and Disorders one-pager with names and descriptions of common disorders.

    Approximate Duration

    Total Duration

    0 to 15 Minutes

    Related Learning Activities

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    Advanced Preparation:

    • Teacher:
      • The teacher should be familiar with the structures and functions of the digestive system and the diseases and disorders that occur within that system. 
      • The teacher should prepare for students to place sticky notes on a whiteboard or prepare a digital collaborative workspace for students to post their ideas.
      • The teacher should ensure access to the digital resource. To access the article without using the link, navigate to the AVL website. Click "High School" then "AccessScience (McGraw Hill)." Search for "digestive system" and locate the article titled "Digestive System" by Edward C. Stevens. Scroll to Figure 2. Click the button directly below the image to open it larger in its own tab.
    • Students:
      • The students should be familiar with the structures and functions of the digestive system.

     

    Materials and Resources

    Materials and Resources

    Materials and Resources:

    • Teacher:
    • Students:
      • Digital devices with internet access
      • Optional: sticky notes and whiteboard space

    Digital Tools / Resources

    ALSDE LOGO