Unit Summary 

In this unit, students will identify the main functions of the digestive system. Within the digestive system, food undergoes physical and chemical changes, is broken down into smaller molecules, and is transformed to provide energy for the body. The nervous system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and excretory system work together to maintain balance by responding to internal and external stimuli.

Essential Questions

  • What is the main function of the digestive, excretory, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems?
  • In the process of digestion. what energy transformations are occurring?
  • How and where in the digestive tract does food undergo physical and chemical changes?
  • In the digestive system, what can happen to macromolecules when they undergo a chemical change?
  • How do body systems work together to maintain internal balance?
  • How do your nervous and endocrine systems work together to respond to internal and external stimuli?

Resources given in class

http://www.sophia.org
https://katyisd.instructure.com/login/ldap

Vocabulary

digestion                                        large intestine
chemical energy                            rectum
organic compound                       anus
mouth-bolus                                  pancreas
esophagus-peristalsis                   liver
stomach-chyme                             chemical/mechanical 
small intestine-villi                     excretory
reproductive                                   stimulus
response                                          nerves
hormones                                        glands
neurons                                           zygote
ovaries/testes  

Online Resources

Kids Health-
http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/digestive_system.html
Science for Kids-
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/digestivesystem.html
The Excretory System-
http://excretorysystemskd.weebly.com/parts-of-the-excretory-system.html
Biology for Kids-
http://www.ducksters.com/science/nervous_system.php
Teens Health-
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_basics/endocrine.html