‘The brain needs nutrition’: pupils’ connections between organizational levels

Abstract

Previous research suggests that connecting organizational levels of biological systems is challenging forpupils. In the present study we investigated 122 pupils’ written responses to a question in a national biologytest concerning how nutrient molecules are adsorbed by the small intestine and transported to thebrain. We aimed to investigate what awareness the pupils have of the connection between the digestiveand circulatory systems. We mapped the pupil’s expressed knowledge by using content analysis whichwas performed in five steps including connection between the systems, organizational levels and scientificexplanations. We found that the most correct descriptions contained the highest number of connectionsbetween the digestive and the circulatory systems and linking of the different organizational levels. Themost correct descriptions included the highest proportion of the meso level. Therefore, knowledge at themeso level seems to be essential for grasping connections between macro- and submicro-level processes,and connections of digestion and circulation systems.

Students’ Meaning-Making of Nutrient Uptake in Relation to Organizational Levels

“…In learning about digestion and nutrient uptake, a common challenge is to make connections between processes taking place at different levels of organization (e.g. Snapir et al, 2017;Jahic Pettersson, Tibell & Löfgren, 2021;Knippels, 2002;van Mil, Postma, Boerwinkel, Klaassen & Waarlo, 2016;Meijer, 2011). Nutrient uptake is a process that spans at several different organizational levels (macro-, micro-, mesoand submicro level).…”

“…Learning about the human body requires connections between structures and processes that extend from the molecular submicro level to the macro level in several steps in between (Jahic Pettersson, Tibell, Löfgren, 2021;Meijer, Bulte, & Pilot, 2013). The purpose of the animation is to highlight the connections between different levels or organization.…”

“…Out of the organizational levels involved in learning about nutrient uptake, the meso and submicro levels has generally been regarded as too abstract and difficult for primary school students to grasp (Knippels, 2002;Meijer, 2011;Jahic Pettersson, Tibell & Löfgren, 2021). The consequence has often been that these steps in digestion have been avoided in primary science teaching, or explained using simplified descriptions, such as the food being "taken up" by the blood.…”