Science·Organisms & Life Processes·conceptual
Digestion & Enzymes
Describe the organs of the human digestive system and how food is physically and chemically digested, including the role of enzymes as biological catalysts
Suggested ages 11–13
Evidence of understanding
- Traces the journey of food from mouth to large intestine, naming each organ and its role
- Explains what enzymes do and names where they are produced (salivary glands, stomach, small intestine)
- Distinguishes physical digestion (chewing, churning) from chemical digestion
Assessment prompt
If Digestion & Enzymes ate a meal with you, could they describe what happens to the food step by step as it travels through the body — naming the organs it passes through and what each one does?
Standards alignment
MS-LS1-7US · ngss-ms
MS-LS1-7
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
KS3.Sci.Bio.Nutrition.4GB · uk-nc-2013
Human digestive system
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3