BRb2 Food and respiration in space

Since the 1960s a great deal has been learned about how to look after astronauts. Much of this information has come from the Apollo missions to the Moon. This information will be very important when planning a trip to Mars.
Breakfast peaches, bacon squares, strawberry cubes, orange drink Lunch beef and potatoes, butterscotch pudding, brownies, grape drink Dinner salmon salad, chicken and rice, sugar cookie cubes, pineapple & grapefruit drink

1 2 3 4 5

The table shows three meals eaten one day by astronauts going to the Moon on Apollo 16. Is this a balanced diet? Explain your reasoning. From the foods in the table, name one food which is a good source of each of these nutrients: a carbohydrate b protein c fat d vitamins and minerals. As well as nutrients, the astronauts need two other things in their diet. What are they? Explain what the astronauts body needs each of these nutrients for: a carbohydrate b protein c fat d vitamins and minerals. The diagram shows some of the parts inside a human body. a What is the part labelled B? b In which parts does digestion take place? c Why does food need to be digested? d In which part is the digested food absorbed? e Chemicals produced by the body allow digestion to happen. What are these chemicals called? f Many carbohydrates are digested into glucose. The glucose is used in respiration. Write down the word equation for aerobic respiration. g What scientific name is given to the process in which undigested food leaves the body? This conversation took place between Mission Control in Houston and two astronauts (Al Shepard and Ed Mitchell) walking up a steep slope on the Moon in February 1971. Okay, Al and Ed, said Fred Haise, at Mission Control. Wed like you to take another stop here. Shepard didnt argue. Okay. Were really going up a pretty steep slope here. We kind of figured that, said Haise, from listening to you. a b c What do you think Fred Haise was hearing that allowed him to know they were going up a steep slope? Why were the astronauts bodies making these sounds? Explain in as much detail as you can. The picture shows part of the bottom of the helmet of Ed and Als space suits. Explain why they have a water supply and a high energy snack bar inside their helmets.
Pearson Education Limited 2003

Adapted from Exploring Science QCA Copymaster File 9

[ revision ]

Adapted from Exploring Science QCA Copymaster File 9

Pearson Education Limited 2003