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Universe Within, The
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
Have the students imagine that they are about to take part in a long-jump
competition. Which parts of their bodies will they rely on? In what sequence
will those body parts be put to use? As they watch the first segment of the
program, have them keep track of the process of how their muscle system works. The second segment of the program describes how the body protects itself from
invaders. As they watch the program, have them chronicle the stages of the
immune system response and the cells that are activated. The digestive process involves several organs. When all of these organs
function properly, the body converts food into useful energy. Before they watch
the program, ask students to suggest some situations that might cause distress
in the digestive system. As they watch, have students look for examples of
problems in the digestive system that can be avoided through changes in
behavior.
After Watching
The program graphically portrays the results of stress, bad eating habits,
and alcohol consumption on the digestive system. Some of these results can be
avoided through changes in behavior. Others can be easily repaired by the
body's defenses. After they have watched the segment on digestion, discuss with
your students some of the steps that they might take to protect their own
digestive systems. The program explicitly por-trays how our immune system responds to foreign
invaders over time with macrophages, phagocytes, killer T-cells, helper
T-cells, and antibodies. Discuss the function of these various immune system
cells. Have students brainstorm metaphors in the real world which describe how
these cells interact and cooperate (e.g., teamwork in the military,
corporations, sports.)
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