1 Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of the alimentary canal and associated organs. A B C D E F J K H G Fig. 1.1 (a) State the letter from Fig. 1.1 that identifies the part where: alcohol is broken down … egestion occurs … hydrochloric acid is produced … mechanical digestion occurs … salivary amylase is produced … the most absorption occurs. … [6] (b) State the names of the parts labelled B and H in Fig. 1.1. B … H … [2] (c) State the names of the three parts of the large intestine. 1 … 2 … 3 … [3] [Total: 11]

1(a) J ; F ; C ; K / C ; A ; G ; 6 1(b) B - oesophagus ; H - gall bladder ; 2 1(c) any order: colon ; rectum ; anus ; 3 2(a) any three from: 1 greater percentage of people have stopped (smoking tobacco) in the 60+ (age group) (than the 16–24 year old age group) / ora ; 2 greater percentage of smokers (present) in 16–24 (year old age group) (than in 60+ age group) / ora ; 3 greater percentage of people in the 60+ group have stopped smoking than are currently smoking ; 4 greater percentage of people in the 16–24 group smoke than have stopped smoking ; 5 greater percentage of people in the 60+ (age group) have smoked in the past than have smoked in the current 16–24 (age group) ; 6 comparative data quote / manipulation ; 3 2(b) any two from: COPD / chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ; CHD / coronary heart disease ; AVP ;; 2 2(c) tar ; 1

1 (a) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of part of the human circulatory system. … … … … to organs to organs Fig. 1.1 (i) Identify and label on Fig. 1.1 in the spaces provided: • the left ventricle • the right atrium • the septum • a valve [4] (ii) Complete the flow chart of the circulatory system by writing the correct blood vessels from the list, in the spaces provided. The arrows show the direction of blood flow. Each word or phrase may be used once, more than once or not at all. aorta pulmonary artery pulmonary vein renal artery renal vein vena cava body  …  heart  …  lungs  …  heart  …  body [4] (b) A healthy diet is recommended to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). State three other risk factors for CHD. 1 … 2 … 3 … [3] [Total: 11]

1(a)(i) left ventricle ; septum ; valve ; right atrium ; 4 labels in this order starting clockwise from top right side of the diagram 1(a)(ii) vena cava ; pulmonary artery ; pulmonary vein ; aorta ; 4 1(b) any three from: stress ; smoking ; genetic (predisposition) ; age ; sex ; AVP ;;; e.g. lack of exercise / high blood pressure / high (blood) cholesterol / diabetes / obesity 3

3 Enzymes help to digest food in humans and are produced by different parts of the alimentary canal. (a) The box on the left contains a sentence beginning. The boxes on the right contain some sentence endings. Draw two lines to make two correct sentences about enzymes. Enzymes are carbohydrates. are catalysts that slow down reactions and remain unchanged. are catalysts that speed up reactions and are changed. are catalysts that speed up reactions and remain unchanged. are lipids. are proteins. [2] (b) Fig. 3.1 is a diagram showing an enzyme and several different substrate molecules. T P Q R S enzyme Fig. 3.1 State the letter of the molecule that is most likely to be the substrate for this enzyme. … [1] (c) Enzymes are involved in chemical digestion in humans. Define the term chemical digestion. … … … … … [2] (d) Fig. 3.2 is a graph showing the effect of changes in pH on the activity of four different enzymes, U to X. 1 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 pH 11 U enzyme activity V W X Fig. 3.2 The pH values in different parts of the alimentary canal were measured. Table 3.1 shows the pH values found in the different parts of the alimentary canal. (i) Use the information in Fig. 3.2 to state the letter of the enzyme that would be most active in each part of the alimentary canal. Table 3.1 part of the alimentary canal pH values enzyme letter duodenum 5.5 ileum 8.0 mouth 6.7 stomach 1.5 [2] (ii) The duodenum and ileum are part of the small intestine. State the name of one part of the large intestine. … [1] (e) The acid in gastric juice provides an acid pH for enzymes. (i) State one other function of the acid in gastric juice. … … [1] (ii) State the name of the acid that is found in gastric juice. … [1] (f) Table 3.2 shows the names of some enzymes, the substrate they act on and the products of the reaction they are involved in. It also shows the organ that secretes the enzyme. Complete Table 3.2. Table 3.2 enzyme substrate products organ that secretes the enzyme mylase starch … … … … fatty acids and glycerol pancreas otease … amino acids … [6] [Total: 16]

3(a) are carbohydrates. are catalysts that slow down reactions and remain unchanged. are catalysts that speed up reactions and are changed. Enzymes are catalysts that speed up reactions and remain unchanged. are lipids. are proteins. ;; 2 one mark for each correct line R each additional line 3(b) S ; 1 3(c) breakdown of large molecules into small molecules ; insoluble molecules to soluble molecules ; 2 3(d)(i) ;; part of the alimentary canal pH values enzyme letter duodenum 5.5 V ileum 8.0 X mouth 6.7 W stomach 1.5 U 2 one mark per two correct letters 3(d)(ii) colon / rectum / anus ; 1 3(e)(i) killing bacteria / microorganisms ; 1 3(e)(ii) hydrochloric ; 1 3(f) enzyme substrate products organ that secretes the enzyme amylase starch (named) (simple) sugars / glucose ; salivary glands / pancreas ; lipase ; fats / oils ; fatty acids and glycerol pancreas protease protein ; amino acids stomach / small intestine / pancreas ; 6

4 (a) It is important for humans to consume a balanced diet. Describe what is meant by the term balanced diet. … … … … … [2] (b) Table 4.1 shows some of the different components of a balanced diet and their principal sources. Complete Table 4.1 using words from the list. Each word can only be used once or not at all. grapefruit milk olive oil rice tuna fish water Table 4.1 component example of principal source calcium carbohydrate protein vitamin C [4] (c) A diet that does not contain component X can cause constipation. State the name of component X. … [1] (d) A person’s diet contains too much energy and too much fat. Describe the possible risks of this diet. … … … … … [2] (e) State why a pregnant woman needs to eat more food than a woman who is not pregnant. … … … [1] (f) Nutrition is one of the characteristics of living things. State the names of three other characteristics of living things. 1 … 2 … 3 … [3] [Total: 13]

4(a) any two from: idea of, variety of / different / all, nutrients ; in the correct proportions / AW ; suitable energy content ; 2 4(b) component example of principal source calcium milk / tuna / grapefruit ; carbohydrate rice / milk / grapefruit ; protein tuna fish / milk ; vitamin C grapefruit ; 4 words can only be used once 4(c) fibre ; 1 A roughage / water 4(d) any two from: obesity ; (increased risk of) coronary heart disease ; AVP ; 2 4(e) any one from: to provide, food / nutrients, for fetus / AW ; for, growth / development, of fetus / AW ; 1 4(f) any three from: movement ; respiration ; sensitivity ; growth ; excretion ; reproduction ; 3

1 Which characteristics of all living organisms are needed to release energy for growth? A breathing and respiration B excretion and nutrition C excretion and respiration D nutrition and respiration

Answer: D To earn this mark, a student must correctly identify nutrition and respiration as the characteristics needed to release energy for growth.

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Human nutrition past paper questions

Questions on a balanced diet, the digestive system, and the roles of enzymes and absorption.

282 free questions from 2017–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Human nutrition in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Human nutrition accounted for 362 questions worth 1,371 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	47	181
2021	56	247
2022	62	243
2023	61	256
2024	78	218
2025	58	226

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Paper 1 · 157 qs
Paper 2 · 122 qs
Paper 3 · 41 qs
Paper 4 · 33 qs
Paper 5 · 5 qs
Paper 6 · 4 qs

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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q1 · 11 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q1 · 11 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q3 · 16 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q4 · 13 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 1 · Q1 · 1 mark
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Answer: D
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