Chemistry in digestion

Chemistry in digestion

by Alicia Dean

Open Ended

What is your favorite thing to digest? (What is your favorite food?)

Open Ended

What foods can you think of that have carbohydrates?

​Let's Read!

​Carbohydrates into Sugar

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​1. All things on this Earth are either elements or molecules made from the elements. Some molecules are small, and some are very large. Large molecules must be broken down before they can be used by the human body.

Multiple Choice

All things on this earth are either _______ or ________.

• Particles or Science

• Elements or Molecules

• Cars or Trucks

Take carbohydrates, for instance, which are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. We get carbohydrates when we eat wheat, corn, and other grains. The word carbohydrate means "watered carbon" (carbon with attached water molecules), and the molecules can be quite long. They must be shortened to be used by the human body​

Multiple Choice

Why do carbohydrates need to be shortened?

• So that they can be used by the human body.

• So that they are harder to find.

• So that they can multiply.

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​Our bodies need carbohydrates to convert into energy, but they are too large for the body to absorb. One role of the digestive system is to break down large molecules into smaller ones, such as glucose. Once inside the body, those longer molecules are broken down into smaller ones, and energy is released. The released energy helps keep the human body going.

Multiple Choice

Our digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into _______ molecules.

• protein

• fat

• glucose

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​Carbohydrates start to break down in the mouth. When you eat a saltine cracker, it tastes salty at first; however, keep chewing it for several minutes, and your mouth will begin to notice a sweet taste. That is because the cracker that you just ate (a carbohydrate) has just turned to sugar with the help of an enzyme in your saliva. The cracker that initially does not taste sweet in your mouth will do so after you chew it for five or ten minutes. The resulting glucose molecules are the part of the cracker your body needs.

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​Molecules come in all shapes and sizes. The human body cannot make use of very large molecules in food. We rely on a chemical change that happens in the digestive system. Large molecules break down into smaller molecules, which can be absorbed and used.

Multiple Choice

Large molecules break down into ______ ______ , which can be absorbed and used.

• glucose

• smaller molecules

​A quick comprehension quiz!

​Please follow the link on the next slide to the Comprehension quiz!

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