Date: November 24, 2014

Topic: Food Digestion Human Digestive System (Introduction)

General Objective: Students should be able
Specific Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Differentiate between ingestion and digestion

Differentiate between the two types of digestion mechanical and chemical digestion
Explain the importance/purpose of digestion
Recall and state the at least 2 major functions of the three types of macronutrients
Classify food based on nutrients they contain
Explain the role of the mouth in mechanical digestion
Describe the 3 primary structures of the tooth
Describe the 4 types of teeth based on shape, number of roots, and function

Materials/ Resources: M.O.E Grade 8 Syllabus, Integrated Science for Jamaica bk 2,

Investigating Science Teachers Guide, laptop, projector, PowerPoint slides on Digestive System
and Teeth, BBC GSCE BiteSize.com
Process skill: K/C,
Attitude:

Cooperation
Appreciation for consuming a balanced diet.

Procedure/Strategy:
1. Introduction Students will watch a 5 minute video on the digestive system. Based on
the video and the homework which was given, the following questions will be asked:
a. Distinguish between ingestion and digestion?
b. Why is digestion necessary?
c. Where does digestion begin in the body?
2. Teacher will define digestion as the
a. breaking down of food into smaller and simpler components that can be
absorbed and used by the body.
b. Importance of digestion: Food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules
of nutrients before they can be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells
throughout the body. Digestion also eliminates solid waste (egestion)
c. Two types of digestion: mechanical digestion is the physical breakdown of food
into smaller pieces; chemical digestion is the breakdown of using enzymes

3. After students have recalled the major nutrient groups carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
vitamins and minerals, the teacher make the following points
a. Nutrients : the substances/molecules found in foods that provide nourishment
needed for survival and growth. So nutrients are substances that the body to
maintain a healthy life and to grow.
b. Two types of nutrients macronutrients are nutrients that are needed in large
amounts in the diet. E.g. carbohydrates, fats, proteins. Micronutrients are
needed in small quantities. E.g. vitamins and minerals
4. After explaining that carbohydrates proteins fats are the primary nutrients that undergo
digestion as they are intake in large quantities, teacher will ask students to recall some
functions of carbohydrates proteins and fats in the body. The teacher will discuss and
outline two function each nutrient in a table:
Nutrient
Functions
Major Food source
Carbohydrate (starch and
Starch cereals (rice oats
Main source of
sugars)
flour), potato, yams
energy in the body
Sugars fruits, honey,
milk
Proteins
Growth and repair of Meats fish, chicken,
Nuts, soya-bean
body tissues
Needed to produce
enzymes
Lipids (Fats and Oil)
Meats pork
Used for energy
Vegetable oil, butter,
storage in the body
Provides insulation to
cold
Cushions and protects
vital organs
5. After students, students (in unison) identify the major organs/ parts of on a unlabelled
diagram of the digestive tract , the teacher will discuss/ explain mechanical digestion in
the mouth, starting with the role of teeth. The following points will be made:
a. Digestion begins in the mouth, mainly mechanical digestion takes place.
Mechanical digestion occurs mainly by mastication or chewing using teeth.
Mastication (chewing) breaks down food into smaller pieces so that it is easily
swallowed (imagine swallowing a whole dumpling without chewing!) and more
exposed to enzymes
b. Using a diagram, the main 3 main parts of the tooth will be described:
i. Enamel the hard white-(ish) covering of the tooth. (It is the hardest
substance in the human body!)
ii. Dentine located below the enamel; hard substance similar to bone
iii. Pulp cavity: innermost centre layer; contains blood vessels and nerves

6. Based on their homework, teacher will ask students to list the four major types of teeth,
along with their function, found in the human mouth.
7. Teacher, with the assistance and feedback of students, will outline the type and
description of tooth in a table on the board
8. As they exit the classroom, teacher will mark each students homework.
Assignment: Due next class: Students will answer the following questions in their notebook:
1. Define the term enzyme and substrate
2. What is the name of the enzyme that begins chemical digestion in the mouth?
What does it digest?
3. Describe digestion in the stomach
Evaluation: