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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Watch Me !!

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  • There are five elements of taste perception: salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and umami (or savoury).
  • Humans also use the tongue for speech where it helps with changes in sound.
  • The blue whale has the largest tongue of all animals. Its tongue weigh's around 2.7 metric tons 
  • Sticking your tongue out at people is seen as childish or rude in many countries, however, in Tibet it is considered a greeting.

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Did you know?

Starter

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

The structure of the wall of the small intestine allows it to move, digest and absorb food.

Essential idea:

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Vocabulary

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Understandings

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Syllabus Reference

Statement

Guidance

6.1.U1

The contraction of circular and longitudinal muscle of the small intestine mixes the food with enzymes and moves it along the gut.

6.1.U2

The pancreas secretes enzymes into the lumen of the small intestine.

6.1.U3

Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

6.1.U4

Enzymes digest most macromolecules in food into monomers in the small intestine.

6.1.U5

Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

6.1.U6

Villi absorb monomers formed by digestion as well as mineral ions and vitamins.

6.1.U7

Different methods of membrane transport are required to absorb different nutrients.

6.1.A1

Use of dialysis tubing to model absorption of digested food in the intestine.

6.1. S1.

Production of an annotated diagram of the digestive system.

6.1. S2.

Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph.

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  1. What do we already know about digestion?
  2. Why do we need digestion?
  3. What are macromolecules and enzymes?

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Expression Session

Starter

You have 15 minutes to create a something to express what you know about the 3 questions above. You may like to sing, rap, paint, draw, type, photograph, dance, write or talk.

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Ingestion

Digestion

Absorption

 

Assimilation

 

Elimination 

 

 

undigested food residues are egested from the body as semi-solid faeces

 

food is taken into the body via the act of eating

 

digested food products are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells

 

digested food products are converted into the fluid and solid parts of a cell / tissue

 

food is broken down both physically (e.g. mastication) and chemically (e.g. enzymatic hydrolysis)

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Label The Digestive System

6.1. S1 Production of an annotated diagram of the digestive system.

Highlight the Organs of the Alimentary Canal

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  • Mastication (chewing) increases the surface area of our food
  • Forms a ‘bolus’ which moves down the oesophagus

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Mouth and mechanical digestion

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2 sets of muscles:

  1. Longitudinal (along)
  2. Circular (around)

Rhythmic contraction and relaxation of these muscles results in a wave which pushes food along whilst mixing the food enzymes

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What is peristalsis?

6.1.U1 The contraction of circular and longitudinal muscle of the small intestine mixes the food with enzymes and moves it along the gut.

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  • This allows the churning of semi-digested food as they mix food bolus with enzymes, increasing rate of digestion
  • The process of peristalsis is controlled unconsciously by the nervous system

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What is peristalsis?

6.1.U1 The contraction of circular and longitudinal muscle of the small intestine mixes the food with enzymes and moves it along the gut.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What is peristalsis and segmentation?

6.1.U1 The contraction of circular and longitudinal muscle of the small intestine mixes the food with enzymes and moves it along the gut.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Stomach Acid

6.1 U3 Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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  • The stomach contains gastric glands which release digestive acids to create a low pH environment (pH ~2)
  • The acidic environment functions to denature proteins and other macromolecules, aiding in their overall digestion
  • The stomach epithelium contains a mucous membrane which prevents the acids from damaging the gastric lining

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Stomach Acid

6.1 U3 Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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Food consists of:

–Carbohydrates

–Lipids

–Proteins

–Nucleic acids

–Minerals

–Vitamins

–Water

These are large, insoluble polymer molecules (aka macromolecules). They must be digested into monomers small enough to pass through the cell membrane of the cells lining the digestive tract so they can be absorbed into the bloodstream

Can be absorbed directly (because of their small size), so do not need to be “digested”

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Why is digestion necessary?

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Stomach Acid

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Chemical Digestion

U4. Enzymes digest most macromolecules in food into monomers in the small intestine.

Bile

Enzymes

  • pH approx. 2
  • Mucosa membranes which protect the stomach from acidic gastric juices
  • Muscular lining churns food which denatures proteins and kills microbes. When it leaves, it is a thick, soup-like substance called ‘chyme’
  • Produced in the liver and stored in the Gall Bladder
  • Emulsifies lipids into micelles (increases SA)

  • Biological catalysts which lower activation energy to break apart macromolecules into soluble smaller products
  • Produced and secreted in distinct locations in the body.

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Reactions occur faster at higher temperatures, but the rate of denaturation of enzymes also increases at higher temperatures.

High temperatures break the bonds important for the tertiary structure of the enzyme.

This destroys the active sites and therefore makes the enzyme non-functional

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Recap – What is the effect of temperature on enzymatic activity?

U4. Enzymes digest most macromolecules in food into monomers in the small intestine.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Examples of Enzymes

U4. Enzymes digest most macromolecules in food into monomers in the small intestine.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Examples of Enzymes

U4. Enzymes digest most macromolecules in food into monomers in the small intestine.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What happens when we digest starch?

U3. Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

Cooking food prior to consumption initiates the breakdown of the polysaccharide, thus, aiding the action of amylase and the consequent digestibility of the carbohydrate component of the food.

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  • Helical/Coiled
  • Branched = more ends for easy hydrolysis
  • Compact
  • High Chemical energy potential = respiration
  • Insoluble
  • Large amount of alpha glucose monomers
  • Easily hydrolyzed
  • 20% Amylose (1-4)
  • 80% Amylopectin (1-6)

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What happens when we digest starch?

U3. Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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  • Glucose is used in the body for respiration, synthesising amino acids and nucleic acids.
  • Leftover blood glucose is converted to glycogen by insulin and stored in the liver.
  • Excess glycogen is converted to fat
  • Released from the liver by glucagon

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What happens when we digest starch?

U3. Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What happens when we digest starch?

U3. Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

What happens when we digest starch?

U3. Processes occurring in the small intestine that result in the digestion of starch and transport of the products of digestion to the liver.

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Watch the videos, then complete the table:

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Some videos which may assist you

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Villi

Mucosa

Sub mucosa

Circular Muscles

Longitudinal Muscles

Serosa

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Layers of the small intestine

6.1. S2 Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph.

Serosa

E

Mu

S�C�L�S

Epithelial Layer (Villi)

Mucosa

Sub Mucosa

Circular Muscles

Longitudinal Muscles

Serosa

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Mucosa

  • Innermost layer
  • Secretes mucus
  • Mucus protects cells and aids passage of food

In the stomach the mucosa must withstand the low pH of stomach acids

In the small intestine it absorbs nutrients

In the large intestine it absorbs water

Submucosa

  • Supports the mucosa

Circular Muscle

  • Waves of contraction cause peristalsis/Segmentation
  • Mixes enzymes with food
  • Moves food through the digestive system

Longitudinal Muscle

  • Contracts to aid with peristalsis
  • Mixes food and enzymes

Serosa

the outermost layer that covers the small intestine

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Layers of the small intestine

6.1. S2 Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

Single Layer Epithelial

Micro Villi

Membrane Protein

Rich Blood Supply

Lacteal

Muscle (L, C)

Serosa

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A single villus

Lacteals absorb fat into the lymphatic system

Capillary network transports absorbed nutrients to rest of body

Single layer of epthelial cells

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Villus structure

6.1. S2 Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1. S2 Identification of tissue layers in transverse sections of the small intestine viewed with a microscope or in a micrograph.

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Microvilli - Greatly increase the surface area of the villus, allowing for a greater rate of absorption

Rich capillary networks - Maintains a concentration gradient for absorption by rapidly transporting absorbed products away

Single epithelial layer - Short diffusion distance between the intestinal lumen and capillary network

Lacteals - Absorb lipids from the intestine into the lymphatic system (later reabsorbed back into normal circulation) Triglycerides are emulsified by bile and hydrolyzed by the enzyme lipase, resulting in a mixture of fatty acids

Intestinal Glands – secrete enzymes

Membrane proteins / mitochondria - High amounts to enable active transport into cells (contents then passively diffuse into bloodstream)

Pinocytotic Vesicles – absorb ‘liquid’

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Adaptations of the villi

6.1.U6 Villi absorb monomers formed by digestion as well as mineral ions and vitamins.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

Make a short video or GIF to explain the features of a villus

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U5 Villi increase the surface area of epithelium over which absorption is carried out.

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Pretend you are on the phone to someone and you have 60 seconds to tell them how lipids are digested and absorbed

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

How are lipids digested? C

6.1.U6 Villi absorb monomers formed by digestion as well as mineral ions and vitamins.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Pinocytic Endocytosis

6.1.U6 Villi absorb monomers formed by digestion as well as mineral ions and vitamins.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U7 Different methods of membrane transport are required to absorb different nutrients.

  •  Transport protein couples the active translocation of one molecule to the passive movement of another (co-transport)
  • Glucose and amino acids are co-transported across the epithelial membrane by the active translocation of sodium ions (Na+)

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

6.1.U7 Different methods of membrane transport are required to absorb different nutrients.

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a) State the missing source, optimum pH requirement, substrate and product of the human enzymes in the table below (2)

b) Explain the need for enzymes in digestion.(2)

c) Draw a labelled diagram to show the interconnections between the gall bladder, pancreas and small intestine.(3)

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Past Paper Questions

d) Explain how the structure of a villus in the small intestine is related to its function (7)

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(b) rate of digestion at body temperature would be too slow / enzymes increase the rate of digestion;

enzymes break large molecules down into small/soluble molecules;

for absorption/diffusion into blood; 2 max

(c) labelled sac-shaped gall bladder with a duct;

tubule/(bile) duct shown connecting gall bladder directly to small intestine/duodenum / tubule/(bile) duct merging with the pancreatic duct before entering small intestine; Alternative answers areaccepted because of variations in human anatomy.

pancreas drawn with pancreatic duct connected to small intestine and pancreas labelled; 3 max

A duct is preferred to a line, but since this is a diagram, both are acceptable.

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

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To achieve [1] answer must name the structure and relate it to its function.

the villus has a large surface area to volume ratio;

microvilli increase surface area for absorption;

thin surface (epithelial) layer so products of digestion can pass easily through;

channel proteins located in plasma membrane used for facilitated diffusion;

network of capillaries inside each villus (so only short distance) for movement

of absorbed products;

capillaries transport absorbed nutrients/sugars and amino acids away from

small intestine;

blood flow in capillaries maintains concentration gradient;

central lymph vessel/lacteal to transport absorbed fats/fatty acids away from

small intestine;

large number of mitochondria provide ATP needed for active transport;

protein pumps in membrane (of microvilli) carry out active transport;

pinocytosis occurs at surface (epithelial) layer;

Accept any of the points above shown in a drawing. 7 max

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Explain how the structure of a villus in the small intestine is related to its function (7)

Plenary Practise

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Modelling Digestion

6.1 A1. Use of dialysis tubing to model absorption of digested food in the intestine.

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6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Using visking tubing to model digestion:

6.1 A1. Use of dialysis tubing to model absorption of digested food in the intestine.

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  • Describe the pathway taken by the carbohydrates in this cupcake.
  • Include the steps involved as it is processed by the digestive system up to the point where they are stored in the liver.
  • You can do this in any way you like - poster, animation, video...
  • Refer to the molecules, enzymes, structures and processes.

6.1 Digestion and Absorption

Open ended assessment task

Assessment

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Quiz and Kahoot

Checkpoint