Name:______________________________________________ Date:_______

Investigation: How Does Food Move in Your Esophagus?

Materials​: Timer, ruler, cups, stethoscope, aquarium tubing

Background information:​ Food moves through the gastrointestinal tract

by the peristalsis, where muscles constrict along the tube which pushes
food from one area to the next. Food first enters the GI tract when you
swallow it and it goes into your esophagus. In this investigation, you will
determine if peristalsis occurs in your esophagus, or if fluid moves by
gravity alone.

Procedure:

1. Choose one person in your group to be the test subject. Use a tape
measure to determine the length of the esophagus. Measure from the
bottom of the chin to the bottom of the sternum in centimeters.

Length of Subject’s Esophagus: ___________ (cm)

2. Have the subject get a cup of water.

3. Place the stethoscope near the sternum and slightly to the left, which is
the approximate location of the ​cardiac sphincter valve​. This valve
opens to allow food into the stomach. You can hear the sound of the
opening and closing with the stethoscope.

4. As the subject swallows the water, listen to the stethoscope, you will
hear the opening of the valve as a kind of gurgle. This may take some
practice.

5. Once you have practiced the procedure, you will time how long it takes
for food to move through the esophagus. Have the subject stand up
and take a drink of water without swallowing; then swallow the water when
you say “go” and start the timer.

How long does it take for the valve to open? _____________ (sec)
Calculate the speed of water: Speed = Distance / Time __________ cm/s

6. Repeat step #5, but have the subject lay across the lab table (or floor).

How long does it take for the valve to open when lying down? _____________ (sec)
Calculate the speed of water: Speed = Distance / Time __________ cm/s

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7. Compare the speed of water movement in the esophagus to the movement by gravity alone. Use an
aquarium tube and water to determine how fast water will move by gravity alone. ( Your instructor may
demonstrate this for the class.)

What is the length of the tube? ___________ Time it takes for water to leave the tube: _____

Calculate the speed of water in aquarium tube: Speed = Distance / Time __________ cm/s

Analysis:

1. ​CLAIM​: Which has more of an affect on the movement of fluid in the esophagus, ​gravity or peristalsis​?

2. ​EVIDENCE​: Use your data from the investigation to support your claim. (Explain how you know this.)

3. How reliable is your data? What could you do to make the data more reliable?

4. Could a person stand on their hand and still swallow fluid? Explain your answer.

5. Propose a way to determine how quickly food will move through the small and large intestine. For example,
how could you find out how long it took you to complete digest a hamburger?

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