krit.club logo

Biology - Human digestive system and healthy diets

Grade 4IGCSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

The human digestive system is a group of organs working together to break down food into small, soluble molecules like glucose (C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6) that the body can absorb.

Digestion begins in the mouth with mechanical breakdown by teeth and chemical breakdown by salivary amylase.

The stomach uses Hydrochloric acid (HClHCl) to provide the optimum pHpH for enzymes and to kill harmful bacteria.

A healthy diet must be 'balanced,' containing the correct proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats), vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber.

Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine, which has a large surface area due to structures called villi.

Energy is released from digested food through the process of cellular respiration: C6H12O6+6O26CO2+6H2O+EnergyC_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy}.

📐Formulae

Energy released (J)=mass of water (g)×4.2×ΔT (C)\text{Energy released (J)} = \text{mass of water (g)} \times 4.2 \times \Delta T \text{ (}^{\circ}C)

BMI=mass (kg)height (m)2\text{BMI} = \frac{\text{mass (kg)}}{\text{height (m)}^2}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A student burns a small piece of dried fruit under a test tube containing 20g20g of water. The temperature of the water rises from 20C20^{\circ}C to 35C35^{\circ}C. Calculate the energy released in Joules (JJ).

Solution:

Energy=20×4.2×(3520)=20×4.2×15=1260J\text{Energy} = 20 \times 4.2 \times (35 - 20) = 20 \times 4.2 \times 15 = 1260J

Explanation:

To find the energy, we multiply the mass of the water by the specific heat capacity (4.2J/gC4.2 \, J/g^{\circ}C) and the change in temperature (ΔT\Delta T).

Problem 2:

Identify the chemical formula for glucose and explain its role in a healthy diet.

Solution:

C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6

Explanation:

Glucose is a simple carbohydrate (sugar) that provides the primary source of energy for cells through the process of respiration.

Human digestive system and healthy diets Revision - Grade 4 Science IGCSE