Lab 15: Digestion- An Absorbing Tale

Warm Up: How does your digestive system work?

Vocabulary:
1. absorption – the collection of a substance onto the surface of an absorbent solid

2. cross-section – a section formed by cutting through an object

3. nutrient – is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow

4. tissue – a group of cells that perform a similar function

5. chemical breakdown – is when particles of food are broken down by chemicals

6. mechanical breakdown – is when food is physically broken into smaller pieces

7. digestion – is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller pieces

8. function – an objects job or role

9. organ – a part of the body made of two or more types of tissue that performs a vital or natural function or job

10. toxins – a poison produced by bacteria and by plants

Data:
STT1
a.
b.
STT2
a.
b.
STT3
STT4

Analysis/Conclusion:

1. What are some of the functions of the digestive system?

2. Copy the table below. Then fill in the table by placing an “X” to indicate the functions of each organ. The first row has been done for you.

3. Imagine taking a bite of a burrito. Follow the beans in the burrito through the process of digestion. Explain what types of changes take place and where each change happens.

4. Most substances are absorbed in the small intestine and not in the stomach. Aspirin is a common exceptions; it is absorbed in the stomach. Some alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, but most is absorbed in the intestine.

a. Why would you want medicines, like aspirin, to be absorbed in the stomach instead of the small intestine?

b. What is the effect of some alcohol being absorbed in the stomach?

5. Take a closer look at the villi of the small intestine (figure 2b). How do the villi help nutrients move into the blood quickly? (Hint: What would happen if there were no villi, only a smooth surface?