Section outline

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    All living organisms need nutrients to survive. While plants can obtain the molecules required for cellular function through the process of photosynthesis, most animals obtain their nutrients by the consumption of other organisms. At the cellular level, the biological molecules necessary for animal function are amino acids, lipid molecules, nucleotides, and simple sugars. However, the food consumed consists of protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. Animals must convert these macromolecules into the simple molecules required for maintaining cellular functions, such as assembling new molecules, cells, and tissues. The conversion of the food consumed to the nutrients required is a multistep process involving digestion and absorption. During digestion, food particles are broken down to smaller components, and later, they are absorbed by the body.  (credit: modification of work by Julie Rybarczyk). Just as humans recycle what we can and dump the remains into landfills, our bodies use and recycle what they can and excrete the remaining waste products. Our bodies’ complex systems have developed ways to treat waste and maintain a balanced internal environment. The daily intake recommendation for human water consumption is eight to ten glasses of water. In order to achieve a healthy balance, the human body should excrete eight to ten glasses of water every day. This occurs via the processes of urination, defecation, sweating, and, to a small extent, respiration.  (Image from Biology 2e from OpenStax, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License v4.0 with the image credit: modification of work by Redwin Law)

    Photo shows two garbage trucks dumping their contents into a landfill.

    This chapter begins with Animal Digestion and Nutrition and concludes with Osmotic Regulation and Excretion

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
    1.   Explain the processes of digestion and absorption
    2.   Explain the specialized functions of the organs involved in processing food in the body
    3.   Describe the ways in which organs work together to digest food and absorb nutrients
    4.   Describe the essential nutrients required for cellular function that cannot be synthesized by the animal body
    5.   Describe how excess carbohydrates and energy are stored in the body
    6.   Describe the process of digestion
    7.   Explain the role of both the small and large intestines in absorption
    8.    Explain how the kidneys serve as the main osmoregulatory organs in mammalian systems
    9.    Describe how the nephron is the functional unit of the kidney and explain how it actively filters blood and generates urine
    10.    Detail the three steps in the formation of urine: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 7 Introduction and each section in Module 7.
    2. Read and view the materials in the Module 7 Pressbooks chapters.
    3. Read Chapters 13 and 20 in the Biology 2e Textbook. Additionally, the PowerPoint slides and lecture notes have been provided to further assist you with getting acquainted with the chapters.
    4. Complete the:  (1) Learning Objectives, (2) Review Questions, and (3) Critical Thinking Questions for each section in the chapters. The Learning Objectives for each section in the chapter should be submitted as one document.

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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