Chemical reactions play an important role in our digestive system. This activity will allow you to observe one of those reactions, known as a decomposition reaction.  Decomposition is a reaction that breaks down a complex substance into simpler substances. You will be using the enzyme amylase to break down a starch into a simple sugar. This lab will simulate what is happening in your mouth when your saliva (which contains the enzyme amylase) begins to break down the complex carbohydrate starch.

To investigate the movement of water into and out of a polymer.  Gummy Bears are made of gelatin and sugar.  Gelatin is a polymer that forms large three-dimensional matrices which give structural support to jellies and jams, and a lot of other things you use every day. This process will simulate what happens in your body cells.

 DNA contains instructions that are needed for our bodies to survive.  DNA is needed for us to develop and reproduce. All body systems depend on DNA to function. In this activity, you will be extracting DNA from a piece of fruit.  The purpose of this activity is to give you a first hand look at the long chained molecule of DNA.  DNA relates to all of our body systems, and this lab will give you a better understanding of what DNA is.

The students will watch a video on the structure of the circulatory system, then they  will observe their heart rates and investigate how carrying extra weight affects their heart rate.

Horsepower is a measure of how fast energy is exchanged. We usually think of car engines when we hear the word horsepower, however, we can also calculate how much horsepower a human produces. All of our body systems work together to produce and use energy.  Depending on what activities we are doing, our energy needs can vary.  In this activity, we will calculate your individual horsepower and compare your results to other students.

 Pulse rate can be influenced by many things.  In this lab, you will determine what effect holding your breath and exercising have on your pulse rate.

This lesson is to introduce the accessory organs of the digestive system in class.  The powerpoint goes through the structure and  function of each of the accessory organs.  It includes short descriptions for each in regards to its anatomical significance to the digestive system specifically.

The students will expand their knowledge of the respiratory system by measuring  their respiration rate and their lung capacity.

The students will investigate how muscle fatigue can affect muscle performance of their index finger.

To gain an understanding of how the muscular system is related to the respiratory system, and to investigate how muscular activity affects carbon dioxide production.

The students will investigate the muscular system by observing and comparing slides of muscles, by observing changes in their arm muscles and by observing their respiration and pulse rate during sitting, walking and running.

The students will investigate several different types of stimuli (including reflexes).. This activity will help the students to gain a better understanding of how the nervous system functions.

Tissues are groups of cells working together. A specific tissue has similar cells which perform a particular function. In this activity we will look at various types of tissue to see how structure is related to function. You will be researching several different types of tissues. For each tissue you will include a description/picture/drawing, list at least one function and list at least one place it is found in the human body. You may use the following charts, or you may record your information in another format of your own design (google slides, etc.). You may use the internet or resource books to help you find the information.