Nutrition (Edexcel IGCSE Science (Double Award) (Modular): Biology Unit 1): Exam Questions

Exam code: 4XSD1

3 hours16 questions
1a
2 marks

The diagram shows part of the digestive system of a cow.

Outline side view of a cow with part of its digestive system drawn inside the body: a long narrow tube running from the head down the neck is labelled Q, a large stomach region sits behind the front legs, and a tightly coiled tube filling the rear of the abdomen is labelled P

Name the parts labelled P and Q.

1b
2 marks

The cow’s stomach contains microorganisms that digest plant cell walls.

Suggest why these microorganisms are useful to a cow.

2a
1 mark

The diagram shows a plant cell.

Diagram of a labelled plant cell. A double line surrounds the cell with label Q. The inside of the cell containing the organelles is labelled R. A large round organelle is labelled P. Smaller oval-shaped organelles are labelled S.

(i) Which part of this cell contains chlorophyll?

  • P

  • Q

  • R

  • S

2b
1 mark

(ii) Which of these is found in chlorophyll?

  • Calcium

  • Iron

  • Magnesium

  • Water

2c
2 marks

(iii) Describe the role of chlorophyll.

[2]

3a
2 marks

The pancreas produces a range of enzymes involved in the digestion of food.

Explain the meaning of the term enzyme.

3b
1 mark

In which of the following locations does digestion by the enzyme amylase take place?

  • Mouth and pancreas

  • Mouth and stomach

  • Small intestine and pancreas

  • Mouth and small intestine

3c
2 marks

The diagram below shows an enzyme and an associated molecule labelled X that can bind with the enzyme at location Y.

Diagram of an enzyme drawn as a large grey irregular shape with a notch cut into its right-hand side, the notch labelled Y, and a smaller grey shape labelled X positioned above the notch with an arrow pointing from it down into the notch

Name molecule X and location Y.

3d
3 marks

The 'lock and key hypothesis' is often used as a model to describe the action of enzymes.

Use your knowledge of the lock and key hypothesis and the diagram in part (c) to explain how enzymes function in digestion.

4a
2 marks

The graph below shows the effect of temperature on the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction.

Graph of rate of enzyme-catalysed reaction against temperature, with the curve rising from the origin through labelled point A on the lower part of the rise to a peak at labelled point B, then falling steeply to labelled point C on the temperature axis

Explain why the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction decreases after point B.

4b
2 marks

A scientist investigated how the digestive enzyme amylase breaks down starch into sugar maltose.

He added the enzyme to a solution of starch and measured the concentration of starch every 10 minutes.

The results are shown in the table below.

Time / min

Concentration of starch / mg cm -3 

0

17.2

10

11.1

20

7.2

30

5.3

40

4.2

Rate of reaction can be calculated using the following equation:

Rate of reaction = mass of starch broken downtime taken

Calculate the average rate of the reaction between 0 and 20 minutes.

4c
1 mark

Bile is a secretion that helps with digestion.

State one way in which bile aids digestion.

4d
2 marks

The diagram below shows the organs of the human digestive system.

Diagram of the human digestive system with the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, gall bladder, small intestine and large intestine labelled, and a further unlabelled organ marked X lying to the left of the stomach and above the gall bladder

(i) Bile is produced by organ X

Name organ X.

[1]

(ii) Identify the organ in which bile is stored after it is produced.

[1]

5a
4 marks

A leaf contains various structures that enable it to carry out photosynthesis.

Draw lines to connect each listed structure with the corresponding adaptation.

Structure

Adaptation

Waxy cuticle

Allows gas exchange to occur

Stomata

Tightly packed with chloroplasts for maximum absorption of light

Palisade mesophyll

Protect the leaf from water loss

Spongy mesophyll

Increases the surface area to volume ratio for the diffusion of gases

5b
4 marks

The diagram below shows a cross section through a leaf.

Cross section through a leaf, with X labelling the single row of cells that forms the upper surface, Y labelling a boxed group of cells within the vascular bundle in the centre, and Z labelling the row of cells that forms the lower surface

Structure Y represents a vascular bundle.

(i) Identify two types of tissue found in structure Y.

[2]

(ii) Describe the function of each type of tissue identified in part (i).

[2]

5c
3 marks

Layers X and Z in the diagram in part (b) form the outer boundaries of the leaf.

(i) Identify one visible difference between layer X and layer Z.

[1]

(ii) The cells in layer X are transparent.

Explain the importance of this to the plant.

[2]

5d
2 marks

Carbon dioxide concentration is one of several factors that can limit the rate at which photosynthesis occurs.

Sketch a graph that shows how carbon dioxide concentration affects the rate of photosynthesis. You should label your axes with carbon dioxide concentration on the X axis and the rate of photosynthesis on the Y axis.

1a
2 marks

A student investigates the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis in leaf discs.

This is the student’s method.

  • Cut equal sized discs from a leaf

  • Remove the plunger from a 20 cm3 syringe and place a disc into the syringe

  • Replace the plunger in the syringe and fill the syringe with 2 % sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, which provides carbon dioxide

  • Place your thumb over the end of the syringe and pull the plunger back until the disc sinks

  • Position the syringe vertically

  • Place a lamp five centimetres from the syringe

  • Record the time taken for the leaf disc to rise to the top of the syringe

  • Repeat the experiment with the lamp at increasing distances from the syringe

The leaf discs rise in the solution due to the production of gas during photosynthesis.

The diagram shows some of the apparatus used.

Line drawing of a syringe standing upright with its plunger at the bottom. The barrel is filled with liquid labelled sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. A single leaf disc is labelled lying flat near the bottom of the barrel, just above the plunger seal. A horizontal arrow labelled light points at the side of the barrel

Give the balanced chemical symbol equation for photosynthesis.

1b
2 marks

(i) State how the student could improve the reliability of their results.

[1]

(ii) Give the dependent variable in the investigation.

[1]

1c
4 marks

The graph shows the results of the investigation.

Sketch graph with distance of lamp from syringe on the horizontal axis and time taken for disc to rise to top of syringe on the vertical axis. Neither axis carries a scale. The curve starts flat at a low value across the shortest distances, then rises with an increasingly steep gradient as the distance increases

Explain the effect of increasing the distance of the lamp on the time taken for the leaf disc to rise to the top of the syringe.

1d
3 marks

Describe how the student could test the leaf discs for the presence of starch.

2a
4 marks

A student investigates factors that affect photosynthesis.

In his first experiment, the student uses this method to investigate the effect of light on photosynthesis.

  • Place a plant in the dark for 24 hours

  • Cover part of leaf X with black paper

  • Place the plant in the light for 24 hours

The diagram shows the plant in the light.

Line drawing of a potted plant with several broad leaves on an upright stem. One leaf on the right-hand side of the stem is labelled leaf X and has a square of black paper covering the middle of its blade, leaving the base and the tip of the leaf uncovered

Describe how the student tests leaf X to show the effect of light on photosynthesis.

2b
7 marks

In his second experiment, the student uses a water plant to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis.

He does the experiment at two different light intensities.

The table shows the student’s results.

Carbon dioxide concentration in arbitrary units

Rate of photosynthesis in bubbles per minute

low light intensity

high light intensity

0.00

0

0

0.02

20

20

0.04

29

35

0.06

35

47

0.08

39

68

0.10

42

84

0.12

45

89

0.14

46

90

0.16

46

90

0.18

46

90

(i) Explain the student’s results.

[4]

(ii) Describe how the student could change the light intensity in this investigation.

[1]

(iii) Give the dependent variable in this investigation.

[1]

(iv) Give one way in which the student could control the biotic variable in this investigation.

[1]

3a
6 marks

The table gives the percentage composition by mass of human breast milk, and of cow’s milk.

Substance

Percentage by mass (%)

Breast milk

Cow's milk

Water

87.0

88.0

Vitamins

Trace

Trace

Fat

3.8

5.0

Carbohydrate

7.9

3.0

Minerals

0.2

0.7

Protein

1.0

3.3

Discuss whether cow’s milk is a suitable alternative to breast milk for young babies.

Use data from the table and your own knowledge to support your answer.

3b
2 marks

Human breast milk may contain insufficient vitamin D for a growing child.

Give two ways that additional vitamin D could be provided for the child.

3c
2 marks

Describe how a sample of cow’s milk could be tested for protein.

4a
2 marks

The diagram shows part of the human digestive system.

Diagram of the human digestive system labelling A the oesophagus, B the stomach, C the small intestine and D the large intestine.

Figure 1

In which of these parts is hydrochloric acid produced?

    4b
    1 mark

    (ii) In which of the parts shown in Figure 1 are faeces stored? 

      4c
      3 marks

      The liver produces bile.

      Explain the role of bile in digestion.

      4d
      8 marks

      Some people have a condition called coeliac disease.

      In this condition the body reacts to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat.

      This reaction damages the villi in the small intestine.

      The diagram shows how the villi in the small intestine are damaged.

      Two cross-sections through the lining of the small intestine drawn side by side in grey and white. The section labelled Undamaged shows tall, narrow, finger-like villi projecting well above the gut wall, each with an outer layer of cells and a network of blood vessels running up its centre. The section labelled Damaged shows villi that are short, broad and flattened, projecting only a little way above the gut wall

      (i) Explain how the undamaged villi are adapted for their function.

      [4]

      (ii) Explain why children with untreated coeliac disease may grow more slowly and become tired more easily than children without coeliac disease.

      Use the information from the diagram and your own knowledge to support your answer.

      [4]

      5a
      8 marks

      A teacher does an investigation to show that plants require carbon dioxide and light for photosynthesis.

      This is the teacher’s method.

      • Place a potted plant in the dark for 24 hours

      • Place a strip of black paper over two of the plant’s leaves

      • Pour some sodium hydroxide solution into a flask

      • Insert one of the leaves into the flask

      • Seal the flask with a cotton wool plug

      • Place the plant in bright light for 12 hours

      • Remove the two leaves and safely test them for starch

      This diagram shows the teacher’s apparatus.

      Line drawing of a potted plant with two of its leaves labelled. Leaf Y is an upper leaf in the open air with a strip of black paper across the middle of its blade. Leaf X is bent sideways into a conical flask that is lying on its side with its neck facing the plant, and it also has a strip of black paper across the middle of its blade. Sodium hydroxide solution is labelled inside the flask, and the neck of the flask is sealed around the leaf stalk with a cotton wool plug

      (i) Explain why the potted plant is placed in the dark for 24 hours.

      [2]

      (ii) Explain one role of leaf Y in the investigation.

      [2]

      (iii) Describe how to test the leaves for starch safely.

      [4]

      5b
      3 marks

      Explain how the results of this investigation would show that light is required for photosynthesis.

      5c
      2 marks

      Plants convert the glucose they produce into starch.

      Explain why plants store carbohydrate as starch rather than as glucose.

      6a
      2 marks

      A student investigated the effect of different colours of light on the rate of photosynthesis in a water plant.

      This is the student’s method.

      • Place a 1 % sodium hydrogen carbonate solution in a boiling tube

      • Cut a 5 cm length of pondweed and place it in the tube

      • Place a lamp 10 cm from the tube containing the pondweed

      • Leave the pondweed for 10 minutes until it starts to produce bubbles from the cut end

      • Count the bubbles produced in one minute

      • Count the bubbles for two more one minute periods

      The student repeated the experiment three more times using filters in front of the lamp that let through either red light, blue light or green light.

      Diagram showing a test tube with a plant submerged  in water on the left and a cross-section of a lamp on the right

      These are the student’s results.

      Colour of filter

      Number of bubbles per minute

      Test 1

      Test 2

      Test 3

      Mean

      No filter

      47

      84

      80

       

      Red

      48

      48

      42

      46

      Blue

      55

      56

      50

      54

      Green

      9

      8

      10

      9

      Write the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis.

      6b
      8 marks

      (i) Anomalous results are not included in the calculation of the mean.

      Calculate the mean number of bubbles per minute for the lamp with no filter.

      [2]

      (ii) Explain the student’s results.

      [4]

      (iii) Give two abiotic variables that the student should control in her experiment.

      [2]

      6c
      4 marks

      (i) Explain why measuring the rate of photosynthesis by counting bubbles may not be an accurate method to use.

      [2]

      (ii) Suggest an alternative method that the student could use to measure the rate of photosynthesis in her experiment.

      [2]

      7
      3 marks

      Describe how you could use hydrogen-carbonate indicator to investigate the effect of light intensity on net gas exchange in a leaf.

      8a
      3 marks

      A student does an experiment to show that a leaf is only able to produce starch if it receives enough light.

      The student removes all the starch from the leaf before starting the experiment.

      (i) Describe how the student could remove all the starch from the leaf.

      [2]

      (ii) State why the student removes all the starch from the leaf before starting the experiment.

      [1]

      8b
      1 mark

      Before testing a leaf for starch, chlorophyll needs to be removed.

      Give a safety precaution the student needs to take when removing chlorophyll.

      8c
      1 mark

      Give a suitable control the student should use in this experiment.

      8d
      5 marks

      Describe how the structure of the leaf is adapted for photosynthesis.

      1a
      2 marks

      Explain how food passes down the oesophagus.

      1b
      1 mark

      The diagram shows the human alimentary canal.

      An outline diagram labels the alimentary organs: A points to the stomach, B to the pancreas, C to the liver and D to the gall bladder; the oesophagus and intestines are also shown.

      Which labelled structure produces bile?

      • A

      • B

      • C

      • D

      1c
      3 marks

      Describe the role of bile in digestion.

      1d
      9 marks

      Lipase inhibitors are chemicals that bind to lipase enzymes.

      To test the effect of a lipase inhibitor, equal masses of full fat milk are placed into two test tubes.

      Lipase inhibitor is added to one test tube.

      Lipase is added to both test tubes and the pH of each solution is measured every five minutes.

      The results are shown in the table.

      Time in minutes

      pH of solution

      Without lipase inhibitor

      With lipase inhibitor

      0

      8.0

      8.0

      5

      7.6

      7.8

      10

      7.2

      7.8

      15

      6.3

      7.7

      20

      5.8

      7.5

      (i) Calculate the mean rate of pH change per minute of the solution without lipase inhibitor.

      [2]

      (ii) Explain the difference in the changes of pH of the solutions in the two test tubes during the 20-minute period.

      [2]

      (iii) Doctors use this method to investigate the use of lipase inhibitor as a treatment for obesity.

      • Give three volunteers a tablet containing the lipase inhibitor

        • Give another three volunteers a tablet with no lipase inhibitor

        • Give all the volunteers 100 cm3 of olive oil to drink

        • Measure the lipid concentrations in the blood of the volunteers after three hours

      Some of the volunteers reported abdominal pains three hours after drinking the olive oil.

      The table shows the doctors’ results.

      Tablet contents

      Blood lipid concentration in mg per dm3

      Abdominal pains

      At start

      After 3 hours

      Inhibitor

      35

      38

      Yes

      Inhibitor

      37

      42

      No

      Inhibitor

      37

      43

      Yes

      No inhibitor

      35

      62

      No

      No inhibitor

      37

      64

      No

      No inhibitor

      35

      45

      Yes

      Discuss the use of the lipase inhibitor as a treatment for obesity.

      Use the data from the table to support your answer.

      [5]

      2a
      4 marks

      The diagram shows part of the gut of a rabbit.

      The rabbit is a primary consumer and eats mainly grass and other vegetable material.

      Diagram of part of a rabbit’s gut drawn in shades of grey. A narrow tube labelled A runs down from the top into a large curved sac labelled B. A long, tightly coiled tube labelled C leads on from B and joins a wider tube labelled D lower down. Branching from that junction is a large pouch labelled caecum, which narrows into a long blind-ended tube labelled appendix

      Name the parts labelled A, B, C and D.

      2b
      3 marks

      The gut of a rabbit has a large caecum and appendix. These contain bacteria that are able to produce the enzyme cellulase.

      Explain how these bacteria help the rabbits with their diet of plant material.

      2c
      3 marks

      The human gut has a caecum and appendix but they are much smaller than those in the rabbit.

      (i) Suggest why the human gut only has a small caecum and appendix.

      [1]

      (ii) In humans, the appendix also acts as a store of useful bacteria. Scientists have discovered that patients who have had their appendix removed are more likely to develop infections of the colon.

      Explain how having no appendix may increase the likelihood of bacterial infections of the colon.

      [2]

      3a
      2 marks

      A student investigated the digestion of bread by the enzyme amylase.

      This is the method used.

      • add a piece of bread to a container

      • add amylase solution to the bread

      • leave for a few minutes

      • pour water on to the bread

      • filter the mixture using the apparatus shown in the diagram

      • test the solution from the digested bread with Benedict’s solution

      Line drawing of a filter funnel lined with filter paper, holding a shaded piece of bread. The stem of the funnel points down into a beaker standing below it, and the liquid that has collected in the bottom of the beaker is labelled solution from the digested bread

      Explain the result of the Benedict’s test if the amylase digests the starch in the bread.

      3b
      4 marks

      The student’s method lacks detail.

      Rewrite the method so that the student could make a valid conclusion about the effect of temperature on amylase.

      3c
      4 marks

      The student predicted that the rate of digestion of starch would keep increasing as temperature increased.

      Comment on this prediction.