The Long Way Down

Follow a meal through a working gut model. Investigate how swallowing directs food, muscles move it, chewing and enzymes break it down, and the lining absorbs nutrients and water. Six investigations for ages 12 and up.

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Getting it in

Lesson 1

The Two Doors

Food and air pass through the same part of your throat. How does a swallow send food towards your stomach without sending it into your lungs?

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Lesson 2

Swallowing Upside Down

Astronauts can eat while floating in space. How does swallowed food reach the stomach when gravity is not pulling it down?

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Taking it apart

Lesson 3

The Bite That Went Down Whole

Your stomach can squeeze and break down food. Why bother chewing it first?

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Lesson 4

Between Bread and Blood

Why are tiny crumbs of bread still too big to get from your gut into your blood?

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Making it yours

Lesson 5

Why So Much Tube?

The inside of your gut is covered in folds and tiny bumps. Why would a wrinkled lining take in more from the same meal than a smooth one?

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Lesson 6

Where Did the Water Go?

Food turns into a watery mixture in your gut, but usually comes out as much drier poo. Where does most of that water go?

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Review and assessment

Lesson 7

Test: The Long Way Down

Review the course ideas by applying them to new situations, with kind feedback after every answer.

Locked till you take the prior lesson