Fibre

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/fibre

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. What is the chemical classification?Plant polysaccharides and lignins resistant to human enzymatic digestion
2. What is the primary fermentation products?Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate
3. What is dietary fibre and why does it help our bodies?Dietary fibre is plant parts that our stomach can’t break down. It helps keep our tummy healthy and makes us feel full after meals.
4. How does fibre help prevent constipation?Insoluble fibre adds bulk to poop and speeds it through the gut, so we don’t get stuck.

Polysaccharides: Complex carbohydrates made up of many sugar units linked together.
Lignins: Complex organic polymers found in plant cell walls, contributing to rigidity.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): Fatty acids produced by bacterial fermentation of fibre in the colon.