Colon

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/colon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How long is Colon?Approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet)
2. What is the primary functions?Water and electrolyte absorption, feces formation, waste storage, and elimination
3. What is the microbial population?Trillions of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses constituting the gut microbiome
4. What is the colon and why is it important?The colon is the last part of the large intestine, about 1.5 meters long. It turns liquid food into poop by absorbing water and electrolytes.
5. How does the colon keep us healthy with bacteria?The colon holds many friendly bacteria that break down food fibers and make vitamins. They also give the colon cells energy and help protect us from bad germs.

Chyme: The semi-liquid mass of partially digested food that passes from the stomach to the small intestine.
Colonocytes: The primary epithelial cells lining the colon, responsible for absorption and secretion.
Dysbiosis: An imbalance in the composition and function of the gut microbial community.