IGCSE · Biology 0610 · Human nutrition

Diet: IGCSE Biology questions with answers

Free Diet questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Human nutrition. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Diet practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

Which row shows the deficiency diseases caused by a lack of vitamin C, vitamin D and iron?

vitamin Cvitamin Diron
Aricketsscurvyanaemia
Banaemiaricketsscurvy
Cscurvyricketsanaemia
Dscurvyanaemiarickets
Show answer

Answer: C

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

What deficiency causes rickets?

  1. A lack of iron
  2. B lack of fibre
  3. C lack of vitamin C
  4. D lack of vitamin D or calcium
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 3Structured · 4 marksA* challenge

Diet varies with age, activity and pregnancy.

(a)

Explain why a pregnant woman needs more iron and calcium.

[2]
(b)

Describe the effects of a lack of vitamin D.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)baby’s blood and bones
iron for the extra red blood cells (haemoglobin) of the fetus/mother B1
calcium for the baby’s bones and teeth B1
2
(b)rickets, soft bones
rickets B1
soft/weak bones because calcium is not absorbed B1
2
Question 4Structured · 13 marks

A student burns a peanut of mass 1.20 g under a boiling tube containing 20 cm³ of water. The temperature of the water rises by 32 °C. 4.2 J are needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 °C, and 1 cm³ of water has a mass of 1 g.

(a)

Calculate the energy transferred to the water.

[2]
(b)

Calculate the energy released per gram of food, in kJ per g.

[2]
(c)

The value printed on the food label is much higher. Suggest three reasons why the student’s value is lower.

[3]
(d)

Suggest two improvements to the method that would give a more accurate value.

[2]
(e)

Name the nutrient that releases the most energy per gram, and state where it is digested.

[2]
(f)

Explain why bile is needed for the efficient digestion of fat.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)2688 J
20 × 4.2 × 32 C1
2688 J A1
2
(b)2.24 kJ/g
2688 ÷ 1.20 = 2240 J/g C1
2.24 kJ/g (ft their energy) A1
2
(c)heat lost to air/tube; incomplete burning; food lost in transfer
Any 3 of: energy lost to the surroundings / air; energy heats the boiling tube; food does not burn completely; time lag moving the burning food under the tube B3
3
(d)insulate / calorimeter; stir; keep flame close
Any 2 of: surround the tube with insulation / use a calorimeter; keep the burning food close to the tube / draught shield; stir the water; re-light until it no longer burns B2
2
(e)fat (lipid); small intestine (duodenum)
fat / lipid B1
small intestine / duodenum B1
2
(f)emulsifies; larger surface area for lipase; neutralises acid
bile emulsifies fats into small droplets B1
increasing the surface area for lipase to act on (allow: neutralises stomach acid for the optimum pH of lipase) B1
2
Question 5Structured · 5 marks

A balanced diet contains a variety of nutrients.

(a)

State the sources and functions of vitamin C and of iron.

[4]
(b)

Explain why dietary fibre is important.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)citrus – collagen/scurvy; red meat – haemoglobin
vitamin C: citrus fruit B1
needed for collagen/healthy skin and gums (prevents scurvy) B1
iron: red meat/spinach B1
needed to make haemoglobin B1
4
(b)prevents constipation
helps peristalsis/prevents constipation B1
1
Question 6Structured · 2 marks

Energy requirements vary.

Explain why a teenage boy needs more energy than a young child.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
larger, growing, more active
he is larger and growing B1
more active / higher metabolism B1
2

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in