Large Intestine
The large intestine, also known as the colon, is the final part of the digestive system. It is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from undigested food, and for the formation and storage of feces before they are eliminated from the body.
Anatomy of the Large Intestine
The large intestine is divided into several parts, including the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. It is approximately 1.5 meters long and 6.5 centimeters in diameter.
Functions of the Large Intestine
- Water Absorption: The large intestine absorbs water from the undigested food, leaving a semisolid waste material.
- Formation of Feces: It helps in the formation of feces by absorbing salts and electrolytes, and by hosting beneficial bacteria that further break down undigested material.
- Storage of Feces: The large intestine stores feces until they are ready to be eliminated from the body through the rectum and anus.
Common Disorders of the Large Intestine
Some common disorders of the large intestine include:
- Constipation: Difficulty in passing stools due to the slow movement of waste material through the colon, leading to hard and dry stools.
- Diarrhea: Frequent passage of loose, watery stools due to the rapid movement of waste material through the colon, resulting in decreased water absorption.
- Colon Cancer: Cancer that develops in the colon and rectum, often starting as polyps that can be detected and removed during a colonoscopy.
Study Guide
To study the large intestine effectively, consider the following:
- Understand the anatomy of the large intestine, including its parts and their functions.
- Learn about the processes that occur in the large intestine, such as water absorption, formation of feces, and storage of feces.
- Explore the common disorders of the large intestine and their causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Review the role of the large intestine in the overall digestive system and its importance in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
Understanding the structure and functions of the large intestine is crucial for comprehending the digestive process and its impact on overall health.
.◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. The Science of Chemistry
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The Science of Chemistry 
Worksheet/Answer key
The Science of Chemistry Worksheet/Answer key
The Science of Chemistry
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Nature of Science
The Practice of Science - A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation. B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of ''the scientific method.'' C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge. D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.
Define a problem based on a specific body of knowledge, for example: biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science, and do the following:
Use tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data (this includes the use of measurement in metric and other systems, and also the generation and interpretation of graphical representations of data, including data tables and graphs)