1. 1
   A dietitian at a hospital is reviewing the recovery plan for a patient who has just had abdominal surgery. The patient will return to solid food gradually, and the dietitian explains how the digestive system will process each meal.

   (a)

   Which enzyme breaks down proteins into amino acids during digestion?

   [1 mark]

   • AAmylase
   • BProtease
   • CLipase
   • DLactase

   (b)

   Which organ produces bile?

   [1 mark]

   • APancreas
   • BStomach
   • CLiver
   • DSmall intestine

   (c)

   Describe the role of bile in digestion.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A nutritionist has been asked to review the weekly lunch menu at a secondary school to check whether it provides pupils with a balanced diet.

   (a)

   A deficiency of which vitamin causes scurvy?

   [1 mark]

   • AVitamin C
   • BVitamin D
   • CIron
   • DCalcium

   (b)

   A deficiency of which mineral reduces haemoglobin production and can lead to anaemia?

   [1 mark]

   • ACalcium
   • BVitamin D
   • CSodium
   • DIron

   (c)

   Describe two consequences of an unbalanced diet.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A group of students is using a light microscope during a biology lesson to examine a prepared slide of the lining of the small intestine and to trace the journey of a meal through the digestive system.

   (a)

   Describe how the structure of a villus in the small intestine is adapted for the absorption of digested food.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Describe the journey of a meal through the digestive system from the stomach to the anus, naming the organs involved and their functions.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A doctor is explaining to a patient, who has recently been diagnosed with early signs of type 2 diabetes, why a change in diet has been recommended and how the body processes different foods.

   (a)

   Explain the roles of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, water and fibre in a balanced diet, and explain how an unbalanced diet can lead to health problems such as obesity and malnutrition.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Explain how the human digestive system breaks down and absorbs food, referring to the roles of enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase), bile, and the structure of the small intestine.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions