Year 8 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 11
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
Order the steps
Number the steps from 1 to 4 to show the correct order of how nutrients from food reach body cells. Step 1 = what happens first.
| Order | Step |
|---|---|
| Useful materials are absorbed and move into the body | |
| Nutrients are transported by the circulatory system to cells throughout the body | |
| Food enters the digestive system | |
| The digestive system breaks food down into smaller, usable parts |
Real-world context
Some athletes in Australia follow a plant-based diet. Their food looks very different from an omnivore's diet, but their cells still need the same nutrients, glucose for energy, and other materials for growth and repair. After eating, the digestive system must break down plant foods into materials small enough for cells to use, and the circulatory system then transports those materials throughout the body.
(a) Explain why it is not enough for an athlete to simply eat a large meal before a race. What must the digestive system do first before cells can benefit from the food?
(b) The digestive system and the circulatory system must work together to supply cells with nutrients. Describe the specific role each system plays, and explain why both are needed.
1. Imagine the digestive system could no longer break food down at all. What effect would this have on cells throughout the body? Use the words absorption and nutrients in your answer.
2. A student says: "Once food is swallowed, the body automatically has the materials it needs." Explain what is wrong with this statement, using your knowledge of digestion and absorption.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?