Digestive system: Difference between revisions
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Welcome to the Wikiversity '''Digestive System''' learning project. |
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==Learning Project Summary== |
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In the human body, the digestive system consists of the system which is used to consume and process food in the body, absorbing nutrients and such things vital for the body's health. |
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This page links to Wikiversity learning resources that are related to the important biological function of digestion. The goal of this project is to provide a complete learning path from the most basic introduction to digestion through increasingly sophisticated treatments of the topic. The most basic learning resources concern what you might tell a young child who first asks about what happens to eaten food. The most advanced learning resources concern on-going research into digestive system function. |
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The digestive system starts at the mouth(oral cavity), in which teeth grind down food and saliva acidifies the food, helping melt it. Also, the saliva starts to break down the starch into sugars. The food is then swallowed down the esophagus(gullet) and the pharynx(throat) to the stomach. The stomach uses a powerful acid called Hydrocholric Acid to melt down the food into a pulp which nutrients can be absorbed from. The pancreas and liver contain digestive enzymes which help to break down food. The food is then passed through the intestines, which digest it further removing vital vitamins and minerals from the mixture. Fiber cannot be absorbed. The small intestines is made of three parts, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestines is made of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon. Then what is left goes through the rectum as waste which is disposed off by the body. |
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==Short description of the digestive system== |
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Young children often express curiosity about the human digestive system. Young children can be introduced to the major body parts of the digestive system and their functions. Very young children can learn about the role of muscles and bones that allow people to consume food. They can be introduced to the concept that the body has internal organs for absorbing nutrients from food and that this is vital for the body's health. |
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The digestive system starts at the mouth and the role of saliva in digestion of carbohydrates is one of the first laboratory demonstrations in many introductory biology classes. Even young children can demonstrate for themselves that saliva starts to break down the starch of a cracker into sugars. When introducing students to the digestive functions of the human stomach, the key chemical concept of acidity can be introduced. How does the stomach use a powerful acid to digest food without digesting itself? |
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Older students can learn about the digestive functions of the pancreas and the liver and the general concept of multiple digestive enzymes and other molecules produced by organs of the digestive system which help to break down food molecules. The nutrient absorbing function of the intestines can be related to the roles of vitamins and minerals in human health. |
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==[[Portal:Learning Materials|Learning materials]]== |
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Learning materials and [[Portal:Learning Projects|learning projects]] are located in the main Wikiversity namespace. Simply make a [[link]] to the name of the lesson (lessons are independent pages in the [[Wikiversity:Namespaces|main namespace]]) and start writing! |
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You should also read about the [[Wikiversity:Learning]] model. Lessons should center on learning activities for Wikiversity participants. Learning materials and learning projects can be used by multiple projects. Cooperate with other departments that use the same learning resource. |
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* ... |
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===Texts=== |
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* [[Wikibooks:__Textbook Name___]] |
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* ... |
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===Lessons=== |
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* Lesson 1: ... |
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===Assignments=== |
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====Activities==== |
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*Activity 1. |
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*etc. |
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====Readings==== |
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Each activity has a suggested associated background reading selection. |
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*Reading 1. |
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* '''Study guide:''' |
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* '''Wikipedia article:''' [[w: __Article Name__ ]] |
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*etc. |
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==References== |
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Additional helpful readings include: |
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[[Category:]] <---include subject name |
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==Active participants== |
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Active participants in this [[Portal:Learning Projects#Learning Groups|Learning Group]] |
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* ... |
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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}}]] |
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Revision as of 14:15, 24 December 2006
Welcome to the Wikiversity Digestive System learning project.
Learning Project Summary
This page links to Wikiversity learning resources that are related to the important biological function of digestion. The goal of this project is to provide a complete learning path from the most basic introduction to digestion through increasingly sophisticated treatments of the topic. The most basic learning resources concern what you might tell a young child who first asks about what happens to eaten food. The most advanced learning resources concern on-going research into digestive system function.
Short description of the digestive system
Young children often express curiosity about the human digestive system. Young children can be introduced to the major body parts of the digestive system and their functions. Very young children can learn about the role of muscles and bones that allow people to consume food. They can be introduced to the concept that the body has internal organs for absorbing nutrients from food and that this is vital for the body's health.
The digestive system starts at the mouth and the role of saliva in digestion of carbohydrates is one of the first laboratory demonstrations in many introductory biology classes. Even young children can demonstrate for themselves that saliva starts to break down the starch of a cracker into sugars. When introducing students to the digestive functions of the human stomach, the key chemical concept of acidity can be introduced. How does the stomach use a powerful acid to digest food without digesting itself?
Older students can learn about the digestive functions of the pancreas and the liver and the general concept of multiple digestive enzymes and other molecules produced by organs of the digestive system which help to break down food molecules. The nutrient absorbing function of the intestines can be related to the roles of vitamins and minerals in human health.
Learning materials and learning projects are located in the main Wikiversity namespace. Simply make a link to the name of the lesson (lessons are independent pages in the main namespace) and start writing!
You should also read about the Wikiversity:Learning model. Lessons should center on learning activities for Wikiversity participants. Learning materials and learning projects can be used by multiple projects. Cooperate with other departments that use the same learning resource.
- ...
Texts
Lessons
- Lesson 1: ...
Assignments
Activities
- Activity 1.
- etc.
Readings
Each activity has a suggested associated background reading selection.
- Reading 1.
- Study guide:
- Wikipedia article: w: __Article Name__
- etc.
References
Additional helpful readings include:
[[Category:]] <---include subject name
Active participants
Active participants in this Learning Group
- ...