Science assignment
(1) The respiratory system works directly with the
circulatory system to provide oxygen to the body.
Oxygen taken in from the respiratory system moves
into blood vessels that then circulate oxygen-rich
blood to tissues and cells.
(2) The nephron is found in the kidney.
(a) The nephron regulates the concentration of water
and minerals such as sodium by filtering the blood
and reabsorbing the important nutrients.
(3) The alveoli are found in the tiny air sacs at the end of
the bronchioles (tiny branches of air tubes in the
lungs).
(b) The alveoli are where the lungs and the blood
exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during the
process of breathing in and breathing out.
(4) Osmosis is important in plants because it maintains
the turgidity of cells. It is a process by which plants
maintain their water content despite the constant
water loss due to transpiration.
(5) Enzymes are. important substances made by the
cells of plants and animals. They are catalysts, or
substances that control how quickly chemical reactions
occur. These reactions are the processes that keep all
plants and animals functioning. Enzymes help the body
perform such tasks as digestion and growing new cells.
(6) Four digestives enzymes and their functions are:
(A) Amylase -is an enzyme made by the salivary
glands and the pancreas. Amylase helps the body
digest carbohydrates. A high level of amylase in the
blood can be a sign that the pancreas is injured,
irritated, or blocked.
(B) Maltase - During digestion, starch is partially
transformed into maltose by the pancreatic or salivary
enzymes called amylases; maltase secreted by the
intestine then converts maltose into glucose. The
glucose so produced is either utilized by the body or
stored in the liver as glycogen (animal starch).
(C) Lactase - Babies' bodies make the lactase enzyme
so they can digest milk, including breast milk. Babies born
too early (premature) sometimes have lactose intolerance.
Children who were born at full term often do not show
signs of the problem before they are 3 years old.
(D) Lipase - Lipase is an enzyme the body uses to break
down fats in food so they can be absorbed in the
intestines. Lipase is produced in the pancreas, mouth, and
stomach.
