Absorption and transport of nutrients in humans
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how the digestive system and circulatory system work together to absorb nutrients and transport them around the body.
Key learning points
- Carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food are broken down by digestion into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.
- Nutrients are absorbed into the blood, which transports them around the body to where they are needed by cells.
- The molecules of some nutrients are small enough to be absorbed into the blood by diffusion.
- Adaptations of the small intestine lining that increase the amount of absorption.
Keywords
Blood - Blood is a liquid which transports nutrients and waste around the body.
Absorption - Absorption is the process of moving nutrients from the digestive system into the blood.
Surface area - Surface area is the area of a surface.
Diffusion - Diffusion is the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Circulatory system - The circulatory system includes the heart and blood vessels through which blood can move.
Common misconception
That the blood and circulatory system are synonyms.
Blood and circulatory system are key words and introduced as specific concepts.
Teacher tip
Use a length of string to measure the perimeter of a circle and a flat shape with many folds, to show how folding increases the surface area.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the organ system with its function.
Pumps blood around the body.
Breaks down food.
Senses the environment.
Gaseous exchange.
Q2.Match the description with the correct state of matter.
Fixed particles that are touching.
Moving particles in an irregular arrangement.
Moving particles with lots of space between them.
Q3.The nutrients we obtain from food are used for energy, growth and...
Q4.Who is correct?
Q5.True or false? Blood flows through the digestive tract.
Q6.Which description best defines diffusion?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which statements explain why the small intestine is long and narrow?
Q2.Increasing the surface area of the digestive system the rate of absorption.
Q3.The increase the surface area of the small intestine.
Q4.Which substances are dissolved in plasma?
Q5.Which terms describe the movement of nutrients from the digestive system into the circulatory system?
Q6.Match the start of the sentence with its correct ending.
large food molecules into small, soluble nutrients.
a concentration gradient into the blood.
cells for energy, growth and repair.
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: Absorption and transport of nutrients in humans, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: Absorption and transport of nutrients in humans, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Human digestive system unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.