Energy in the Human Body

A Middle School Life Science Curriculum

 
 
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Activity

Experimenting with Digestion

Now that you have some of your beginning ideas out on paper, let's think about the candy bar's journey into the body a step at a time. To do this you will engage in several activities. Keep in mind that you want to know more than just where the candy bar went but also what is happening to it.

Materials
  • one non-salted cracker
  • stop watch
  • pencil
  • paper

Student Procedure: During the activity, record your observations every 20 seconds on paper.

1. Place the cracker in your mouth. If you did not bite the cracker or chew it would you be able to swallow the cracker whole?

2. Now let the cracker sit on your tongue for one minute.

3. Chew on the cracker for 1-2 minutes but do not swallow.

4. Swallow or dispose of the cracker mush after 2 minutes.

Answer Questions below:

What is happening to the cracker as soon as you put it in your mouth?

How did the cracker taste when you started chewing?

What role do your teeth have in changing the crackers?

What other form of digestion is happening as you chew?

Do you think your body is able to get energy from only chewing on the cracker? Explain why or why not.

What happens to the food?

What about the nose? Does this have any effect on digestion?

Once you have answered these questions, be prepared to discuss your findings in whole group.

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