Extension

Investigating Nutrients

Think about a piece of pie. What do you think the piece of apple pie is
composed of? Think by yourself for a minute then share your ideas with
your group and then with the whole class.
Remember that you discussed in class that glucose comes from fruit. Do
you think there is glucose in the apples? What is the name for the nutrient
that supplies glucose?
Now, we know from our very first lessons that the body needs energy for
all its activities. We also know that glucose (sugar) can give us energy.
But what about all the other things that the apple pie contains.
Some of you said that there might be minerals in the pie.
Where might we find a lot of minerals inside the body.
Do we ever need to replace these minerals in the body?
So, if we find minerals in the body and the body needs a new supply of
minerals regularly to grow and repair itself, what are these minerals and
where do they come from?
Try to name some minerals that you have heard of before. If you need
help, look at the contents of the cereal boxes. Can you find any minerals
listed on the box?
Ingredients on
side of box
Often we think of minerals as hard like rocks or metal. What parts of our
bodies are strong and hard?
Are there any parts of the body that especially need to be hard like
minerals? Think especially about what part of your body you would use to
chew the pie. What part of the body besides muscles do you need to run a
race?
Why are these parts hard?
Now think about the other components that people
have suggested might be in the pie.
With your group try to answer the following questions about each of these
nutrients. You might have to do some research in the library to find these
answers.
Where does protein come from? What kinds of foods?
What is it used for in the body?
What do you think would happen if you did not have enough protein in
your diet?
Answer the same questions for fats and vitamins.
One thing we haven’t mentioned is water. What role does water play in
the human body? Why are we told to drink at least eight glasses of water a
day? What would have happened to you on the desert island if there had
not been fresh water?
Summarize briefly for a partner what the different
nutrients are and what their main function
is in the body.
Now your teacher will show you a scientist’s model. Compare your ideas
and the scientist model. Do you agree with what you see and hear? What
points still are not clear?
Look back at your original ideas about nutrients. Make any changes in
your model below.