Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1
THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM
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THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM
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Subject: Science
Class: JHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 14
Grade code: B7.3.1.1.1
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: B7.3.1.1
Indicator code: B7.3.1.1.1
Theme: SYSTEMS
Subtheme: THE HUMAN BODY SYSTEM
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In JHS Science, understanding food and the need for feeding in humans is the foundation for learning about the human body systems (especially the digestive system). In Ghana, learners make daily food choices—at home, in school, and in the community (e.g., kenkey, banku, waakye, rice, yam, fruits). Knowing what food is, the nutrients it contains, and why we must feed helps learners to: grow well and stay strong, avoid malnutrition (e.g., stunting, underweight, anaemia), prevent sickness and improve school performance. This lesson aligns with NaCCA Indicator B7.3.1.1.1: Explain the concept of food and the need for feeding in humans.
A. What is Food? Food is any substance (solid or liquid) that humans eat or drink which: provides nutrients needed by the body, supplies energy, supports growth, repair, and good health.
Important idea: Not everything we swallow is “food.” For example, alcohol or some sugary drinks may provide energy but may not provide balanced nutrients and can harm health if abused. How we deduce a good definition (as NaCCA expects) Foods contain nutrients. Nutrients are needed for energy, growth, repair, and regulation of body processes. Therefore, food can be defined as: “Any substance eaten or drunk that provides nutrients for energy, growth, repair, and regulation of the body.”
B. Nutrients in Food (Classes, Functions, and Ghanaian Examples) 1) Carbohydrates Function: Main source of energy for daily activities (walking, learning, playing). Examples in Ghana: rice, bread, kenkey, banku, fufu, yam, cassava, plantain, gari, maize, sweet potatoes. Signs of too little: tiredness, weakness, weight loss. 2) Proteins Function: Growth and repair of body tissues (muscles, skin); also helps make enzymes and some hormones. Examples in Ghana: beans (gobɛ), cowpea, groundnuts, eggs, fish (tilapia, sardine), meat, milk, soy products. Signs of too little: poor growth, thin muscles, swollen belly in severe cases (kwashiorkor), slow healing of wounds. 3) Fats and Oils (Lipids) Function: Provide stored energy, keep the body warm (insulation), protect organs, help absorb vitamins A, D, E, K. Examples in Ghana: palm oil, groundnut oil, shea butter, avocado (pear), coconut, fatty fish. Note: Too much can lead to overweight and heart problems over time. 4) Vitamins Function: Help regulate body processes and prevent deficiency diseases. Examples in Ghana: Vitamin A: carrots, kontomire, mango, red palm oil (supports eyesight) Vitamin C: oranges, pineapple, guava (helps immunity and wound healing) Vitamin D: sunlight exposure + foods like eggs/fish (helps bones) Signs of too little: frequent sickness, poor vision at night (Vit A deficiency), bleeding gums (Vit C deficiency). 5) Minerals Function: Needed for strong bones/teeth, blood formation, proper nerve and muscle function. Examples in Ghana: Calcium: milk, small fish eaten with bones, kontomire Iron: liver, beans, kontomire, fish (prevents anaemia) Iodine: iodised salt (prevents goitre) Signs of too little: weak bones, anaemia (pale, tired), goitre (swollen neck). 6) Water Function: Transport of nutrients, digestion, removal of waste (urine/sweat), temperature control. Sources: drinking water, soups, fruits (watermelon, orange), porridge. Signs of too little (dehydration): dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine, tiredness. 7) Dietary Fibre (Roughage) Function: Helps movement of food through the gut; prevents constipation; supports gut health. Examples in Ghana: vegetables (kontomire, cabbage), fruits, whole grains, beans, unrefined cereals. Signs of too little: constipation, stomach discomfort.
C. The Need for Feeding in Humans (Why we must eat) Humans need to feed because the body is always working—even when sleeping. Feeding supplies nutrients for: Energy for activities and body functions The heart pumps blood, lungs breathe, brain works—these need energy. Growth Children and adolescents need nutrients to increase height, build muscles, and develop organs. Repair and maintenance Healing wounds, replacing old cells (skin, blood cells) requires proteins and minerals. Protection against diseases Vitamins, minerals, and proteins support the immune system. Regulation of body processes Water, minerals, vitamins help maintain body temperature, digestion, and nerve function. Strong bones and teeth Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus support skeletal development. Preventing malnutrition Balanced feeding prevents undernutrition and deficiency diseases.