Gut Bacteria & Digestion

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Organisms & Life Processes|Ages 12—13|ID: mt_fCvmdI6xGO

Explain the role of gut microbiome bacteria in digestion, including breaking down dietary fibre and contributing to a healthy gut environment

Mastery Evidence

Explains that many gut bacteria are beneficial, not harmful
Describes what gut bacteria do that human digestive enzymes cannot (e.g. break down fibre)
Explains what might happen if the gut microbiome is disrupted

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] heard that there are billions of bacteria living in our gut, could they explain why that's actually helpful for digestion rather than something to worry about?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

KS3.Sci.Bio.Nutrition.5The national curriculum in England

Bacteria in the digestive system

the importance of bacteria in the human digestive system

Science · KS3

Prerequisites1

Digestion & Enzymes
hardAges 11—13

Show full prerequisite tree

Digestion & Enzymes hard
Understanding gut microbiome requires first knowing the digestive system structure and function
- Cells to Organ Systems soft
  The digestive system is an organ system — the hierarchy concept gives the structural framework
  - Plant Cells vs Animal Cells hard
    The cell-to-organism hierarchy builds on understanding that different cell types exist
    - Parts of Plant and Animal Cells hard
      Comparing plant and animal cells requires knowing the components found in each
      - Cells Under the Microscope hard
        Understanding cell components requires first knowing that cells are the fundamental unit of life
- The Digestive System hard
  KS3 digestive system (enzymes, organs in detail) extends KS2 basic digestive system overview
  - Animal Nutrition hard
    Must understand nutrition before learning how the digestive system processes food
    - Herbivores, Carnivores & Omnivores soft
      Carnivore/herbivore/omnivore classification supports understanding nutrition differences
      - Naming Common Animals hard
        Must identify animal groups before classifying by diet
    - What Living Things Need hard
      Must know basic survival needs before learning about nutrition types and food groups
      - Common Plants & Trees soft
        Knowing plants helps understand what they need
      - Living Things Vocabulary soft
        Describing what plants and animals need to survive uses life processes vocabulary: nutrition, growth, sensitivity
      - Naming Common Animals soft
        Knowing animals helps understand what they need
  - The Digestive Journey soft
    Enrichment knowledge tracing the digestive journey supports formal curriculum study of digestive system parts
    - Basic Body Needs hard
      Tracing the digestive journey builds on knowing the body needs food for energy
      - The Heart & Blood soft
        Basic needs (exercise keeps heart strong) connects to knowing the heart pumps blood
      - How Breathing Works soft
        Basic needs (body needs air) connects to knowing about breathing and lungs
- Nutrients in a Healthy Diet soft
  Digestion is the mechanism by which nutrients from diet become available to cells
  - Animal Nutrition hard
    KS3 detailed diet components extend KS2 understanding that animals need the right nutrition
    - Herbivores, Carnivores & Omnivores soft
      Carnivore/herbivore/omnivore classification supports understanding nutrition differences
      - Naming Common Animals hard
        Must identify animal groups before classifying by diet
    - What Living Things Need hard
      Must know basic survival needs before learning about nutrition types and food groups
      - Common Plants & Trees soft
        Knowing plants helps understand what they need
      - Living Things Vocabulary soft
        Describing what plants and animals need to survive uses life processes vocabulary: nutrition, growth, sensitivity
      - Naming Common Animals soft
        Knowing animals helps understand what they need

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