IGCSE Biology

1 Small molecules are used as the basic units in the synthesis of large food molecules.
Which statement is correct?
A Amino acids are basic units of carbohydrates.

B Fatty acids are basic units of glycogen.
C Glycerol is a basic unit of oils.
D Simple sugar is a basic unit of protein.
2 When a substance is added to meat, amino acids are produced.
What is this substance?
A a hormone
B an enzyme
C an oil
D water
3 The diagram shows part of a protein molecule.
What does X represent?
A amino acid
B fatty acid
C glycerol
D sugar
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 Four different foods were tested for their composition.
The results are shown in the table.
Which food contains protein but not reducing sugar or starch?
Benedict’s test iodine test biuret test
A blue black purple

B blue
lue brown purple
C brick red black blue
D brick red brown blue
5 What are the smaller basic units of starch and glycogen molecules?
starch glycogen
A amino acids fatty acids and glycerol

B amino acids simple sugars
C simple sugars fatty acids and glycerol
D simple sugars simple sugars
6 The diagram represents a protein molecule.
What do the small circles represent?
A amino acids
B fatty acids
C glycerol
D simple sugars
7 Which row shows the elements and basic units that are used in the construction of large food
molecules?
food molecules elements basic units
A fats carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen glucose

B fats carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen glycerol
C starch carbon, hydrogen, oxygen glucose
D starch carbon, hydrogen, oxygen glycerol
8 Which nutrient produces a purple colour when mixed with biuret solution?
A fat
B protein
C reducing sugar
D starch
9 Which simple molecules are the basic units of protein?
A amino acids
B fatty acids
C sugars
D vitamins
10 Which food-testing reagent shows a positive result when it turns from blue to purple?
A Benedict’s solution
B biuret reagent
C ethanol
D iodine solution
11 The diagram shows two food tests carried out on solution X.
test 1 test 2
biuret Benedict’s
solution solution
red
colour
heat
solution X purple solution X

colour
Which nutrients are present in solution X?
A protein and starch

B protein and sugar
C starch and fat
D starch and sugar
12 The data show the concentrations of sugar and starch in an onion.
total sugar including

starch
reducing sugar
/ g per 100g
/ g per 100g
3.7
. 0.
The onion is tested with Benedict’s solution and iodine solution.
Which set of results is correct?
Benedict’s iodine
solution solution
A blue
lue blue-black
B lue
blue brown
C brick red blue-black
D brick red brown
13 The diagram shows two food molecules before and after they have been digested by enzymes.
R
P
Q
S
before after
What identifies the products of fat digestion?
A P and R B P and S C Q and R D Q and S
14 Four foods were tested for each of the following nutrients:
fat (using ethanol);

protein (using the biuret test);
reducing sugar (using Benedict’s solution),
Which food contains protein and fat?
15 The graphs show the quantities of selected vitamins and mineral ions in four foods.
vitamin C vitamin D iron calcium

mg per 100 g µg per 100 g mg per 100 g mg per 100 g
30 15 3 150
20 10 2 100
10 5 1 50
0 0 0 0
beans
egg
fish
fruit
beans
egg
fish
fruit
beans
egg
fish
fruit
beans
egg
fish
fruit
Which food is the richest source of the vitamin or mineral ions essential for the transport of
oxygen by the blood?
A beans
B egg
C fish
D fruit
16 A human cell contains a length of DNA that carries the code for making which substance?
A fat
B glycogen
C lipase
D starch
17 A student set up a test-tube containing starch, water and amylase.
How could the student test whether the amylase had digested all the starch?
A Add Biuret solution.

B Add dilute hydrochloric acid.
C Add iodine solution.
D Weigh the test-tubes and contents before and after the experiment.
18 When solution X is tested with iodine solution, a blue-black colour is observed.
A different solution, Y, is added to a new sample of solution X and the mixture is shaken and left
for 30 minutes at 40 °C. When tested with iodine solution, an orange-brown colour is observed.
What are solutions X and Y?
X Y
A maltose
altose amylase
B maltose lipase
C starch amylase
D starch lipase
19 Which row correctly identifies the chemical elements found in proteins?
carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen
A key
B = present
C = absent
D
20 Nutrients are made up of smaller basic units. Nutrients can be identified by food tests.
Which nutrient is a protein?
nutrient smaller basic units food test
A amino acids Benedict’s test

B amino acids biuret test
C sugars Benedict’s test
D sugars biuret test
21 Which pair of substances is transported in the phloem?
A amino acids and protein

B amino acids and sucrose
C protein and starch
D starch and sucrose
22 Water is a good solvent.
What does this mean?
A It dissolves well in many other substances.

B It flows easily through vessels.
C It is permeable to gases.
D Many substances dissolve well in it.
23 What does the digestion of starch produce?
A fatty acids
B glucose
C mineral salts
D water
24 Which solutions are used for testing for protein, reducing sugar and starch?
25 The diagram shows part of a starch molecule.
Which diagram shows this molecule after it has been completely digested?
26 Four foods were tested for
fat (using ethanol),

protein (using the biuret test),
reducing sugar (using Benedict’s solution),
starch (using iodine solution).
Which food contains protein and starch?
colour of result of food test

blue / black purple / llilac
ilac bric-red / orange
orange milky-white
A key
B = nutrient present
C = nutrient absent
D
27 The diagram shows a section through an eye.
What are structures X and Y?
A organs in an organ system

B organs in a tissue
C organ systems in an organ
D tissues in an organ
28 Which elements do carbohydrates contain?
A carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

B carbon, hydrogen and sulphur
C carbon, nitrogen and oxygen
D carbon, nitrogen and sulphur
1 Fig. 6.1 shows the changes in glucose concentration of the blood.
high blood B
glucose
concentration A
set level
time
low blood
C
glucose
concentration
Fig. 6.1
(a) Name the process that maintains blood glucose concentration within set limits.
........................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) (i) Name the hormone that would be secreted in response to the increasing blood glucose
concentration at A in Fig. 6.1.
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) Name an organ that is responsible for the decrease in blood glucose concentration
after B in Fig. 6.1.
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) Name the compound that is converted to glucose at C in Fig. 6.1.
................................................................................................................................ [1]
(c) Describe the symptoms and treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [5]
[Total: 9]
2 Fig. 2.1 shows part of the nitrogen cycle.
nitrogen in
the air
herbivore
dead organic bean plant

matter (legume) with
root nodules
B
ammonium ions nitrate ions
Fig. 2.1
(a) Name the processes A and B shown in Fig. 2.1.
B [2]
(b) Fig. 2.1 shows that legumes have root nodules.
Explain why these root nodules are important in the nitrogen cycle.
[4]
(c) Proteins and DNA are important nitrogen-containing compounds in cells.
Describe the roles of proteins and DNA in cells.
proteins
[3]
DNA
[2]
(d) Many inorganic fertilisers contain compounds of nitrogen. If crop plants do not absorb
the fertilisers they can be lost from the soil and pollute freshwater ecosystems, such as
lakes and rivers.
Describe how fertilisers may affect freshwater ecosystems.
[4]
[Total: 15]
3 Proteins in the blood are involved in protection of the body.
Three proteins found in the blood are
• antibodies
• thrombin
• fibrinogen
(a) (i) Name the type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.
[1]
(ii) Outline how antibodies protect the body.
[2]
(b) Thrombin is an enzyme that catalyses the reaction:
fibrinogen
(i) State when this reaction occurs.
[1]
(ii) Explain how fibrin protects the body.
[3]
An investigation was carried out to determine the effect of different temperatures on the
activity of thrombin. The results are shown in Fig. 4.1.
activity 6
of
thrombin 5
/ arbitrary
units 4
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
temperature / °C
Fig. 4.1
(c) (i) Explain why thrombin functions slowly at 5 °C and does not function at all at 70 °C.
5 °C
70 °C
[3]
(ii) Suggest how the activity of thrombin was determined.
[1]
(iii) State two conditions that would have been kept constant during the investigation.
2 [2]
[Total: 13]
4 (a (i) Explain the term balanced diet.
[3]
(ii) State three factors that influence a person’s nutritional needs.
3 [3]
(b) Glucose is absorbed in the small intestine and transported in the blood. The kidneys
filter the blood and reabsorb the glucose.
If the blood contains more than 180 mg of glucose per 100 cm3, the kidney cannot
reabsorb it all and some is present in the urine. This figure is called the renal
threshold.
A doctor suspects that a patient has diabetes because a urine test is positive for
glucose.
The patient takes a glucose tolerance test by drinking a solution of glucose. The doctor
records the patient’s blood glucose concentration at 30 minute intervals for five and a
half hours.
The results are plotted on Fig. 2.1.
300
250
200
blood glucose
concentration / 150
mg per 100 cm3
100
50
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330
glucose drink time / minutes
Fig. 2.1
(i) Draw a horizontal line on Fig. 2.1 to show the renal threshold. [1
(ii) State the time period when the kidney will produce urine containing glucose.
[1]
(iii) Sketch on Fig. 2.1 the blood glucose concentrations that the doctor might expect if
he repeated this test on someone who does not have diabetes. [1]
(c) People who do not have diabetes maintain their blood glucose concentration below
180 mg per 100 cm3.
Explain how the body does this.
[3]
[Total: 12]
1 This question is about transport in plants.
(a) Two pea plants, D and E, were supplied with substances containing the radioactive
isotopes, carbon-14 (14C) or phosphorus-32 (32P), as shown in Fig. 4.1.
A leaf of plant D was exposed to radioactive carbon dioxide.
Plant E was placed into a solution containing radioactive phosphate ions.
growing point flower
fruit
seed
clear plastic
nutrient nutrient solution
bag with added
solution with added
radioactive
radioactive
carbon dioxide
phosphate ions
plant D plant E
Fig. 4.1
After several hours the plants were analysed for the presence of the radioactive isotopes.
Sucrose containing 14C was found throughout plant D.
Compounds containing 32P were found throughout plant E.
Complete Table 4.1 to show:
• the tissue in which each substance is transported;

• one possible sink for each substance.
Table 4.1
pea plant D E
substance
sucrose
ucrose phosphate ions
transported
transport
tissue
sink
[4]
(b) State one substance, other than sucrose, that is produced in leaves and translocated
to other parts of the plant.
[1]
(c) Outline how sucrose is produced from carbon dioxide in pea plants.
[3]
(d) State two uses of sucrose within a pea plant.
2 [2]
(e) Explain how ions, such as phosphate ions, are absorbed by plant roots.
[3]
[Total: 13]
2 (a Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of the human digestive system.
H C
E
G
Fig. 1.1
Use the letters from Fig. 1.1 to complete Table 1.1 to give the part of the human digestive
system that is identified by each function.
Write one letter only in each box. You may use the same letter more than once. There are some
letters that you will not use. The first one has been done for you.
Table 1.1
function
unctio
peristalsis B
protein digestion
insulin production
deamination
partially digested food is mixed with bile
most water is reabsorbed

[5]
The human diet provides nutrients for the synthesis of biological molecules that make up
cells, cell products and tissues.
(b) (i) Complete Table 1.2 to show the nutrients that are absorbed from food to
synthesise the large molecules listed.
Table 1.2
large molecules nutrients absorbed
protein
glycogen
fat
[3]
(ii) Mineral ions are required in the human diet in small quantities.
State the mineral ion required for each process:
making bone
making haemoglobin. [2]
(iii) State another type of nutrient required in the human diet in small quantities.
[1]
(c) One role of nutrients is to provide materials for the repair of damaged tissues.
Fig. 1.2 shows the events that happen after a cut to the skin.
immediately after the cut 24 hours later

scab
epidermis
released blood
blood clot
damaged
capillary phagocytes
3 to 7 days later 2 weeks later
new
capillary
Fig. 1.2
Use the information in Fig. 1.2 to describe what happens to seal the wound in the skin
and repair the skin tissue.
[5]
[Total: 16]
3 Haemoglobin is a protein that is made inside developing red blood cells in the bone
marrow.
(a) (i) State the function of haemoglobin.
[1]
(ii) Name the small molecules that are combined to make haemoglobin.
[1]
(iii) Name the mineral ion provided in the diet that is needed to make haemoglobin.
[1]
There are many different varieties of haemoglobin. The gene for haemoglobin exists as two
alleles, HbA and HbS.
People with the genotype HbSHbS have a condition called sickle cell anaemia.
(b) Describe the features of sickle cell anaemia.
[3]
(c) The allele for HbS is rare in many parts of the world, but it is more common in parts of
tropical Africa.
Explain why HbS is more common in parts of tropical Africa.
[3]
(d) The parents of people with sickle cell anaemia rarely have this condition.
Explain, using a genetic diagram, how two parents who do not have sickle cell anaemia
may have a child with the condition.
parental genotypes ................ × ................
gametes ................ ................ + ................ ................
genotype of child with ................

sickle cell anaemia
[3]
(e) Sickle cell anaemia is an example of variation in humans. There are many causes of
variation, including nuclear fall-out.
Suggest how nuclear fall-out could cause variation in humans.
[2]
[Total: 14]
1 (a List four chemical elements that are found in proteins.
1.
2.
3.
4. [4]
Fig. 6.1 is a photograph of some root nodules from a pea plant, which is a type of legume.
Fig. 6.1
(b) Nodules like those in Fig. 6.1 develop on the roots of pea plants and other legumes
when the soil is lacking in nitrate ions.
Explain what happens inside the nodule to help legume plants grow in soils lacking
nitrate ions.
[3]
(c) After the peas have been harvested, the plants are ploughed back into the soil.
Describe what happens in the soil to convert dead plant material into nitrate ions that
plants can absorb.
[6]
(d) Nutrients in the soil can act as a limiting factor for crop growth.
List three other factors that may limit the growth of a crop plant.
1.
2.
3. [3]
(e) The soya bean aphid is an insect pest of soya bean plants in North America. The
aphids can show an exponential growth rate where populations can double in two to
three days under favourable conditions.
Fig. 6.2 shows the growth of soya bean aphids in a field in North America during the
growing season.
7000
6000
5000
number 4000
of aphids
per plant 3000
2000
1000
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
time / days
Fig. 6.2
Suggest why the population of aphids did not increase rapidly until about day 40.
[3]
[Total: 19]
2 Table 5.1 shows the energy reserves for skeletal muscles in an athlete.
Table 5.1
time the reserve would

last / min
energy reserve mass / g energy / kJ
marathon
walking
running
blood glucose 3 48 4 1
liver glycogen 100 1660 86 20
muscle glycogen 350 5800

00 71
fat in skin 9000 337 500 15 500 4018
(a)
a) ( Compare the effect of walking and marathon running on energy reserves.
[2]
(ii) Suggest which two energy reserves would be most readily available to muscles
during exercise.
1.
2. [1]
(iii) Underline the two food groups to which the energy reserves in Table 5.1 belong.
protein
rotein fibre fat carbohydrate [1]
(iv) Calculate the energy per gram of glycogen.
Show your working.
energy = kJ [2]
(b) Suggest why athletes eat foods high in
(i) proteins, during training;
[1]
(ii) carbohydrates, for three days before a marathon race.
[2]
(c) During a fast race (a 100 metre sprint), 95% of the energy comes from anaerobic
respiration.
During a marathon, only 2% of the energy comes from anaerobic respiration.
(i) State the equation, in symbols, for anaerobic respiration in muscles.
[2]
(ii) Suggest and explain why a sprinter can use mainly anaerobic respiration during
the race, while a marathon runner needs to use aerobic respiration.
[4]
(iii) Explain how, during a marathon race, the blood glucose concentration stays fairly
constant, but the mass of glycogen in the liver decreases.
[2]
[Total: 17]

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1 Small molecules are used as the basic units in the synthesis of large food molecules.

Which statement is correct?

A Amino acids are basic units of carbohydrates.

2 When a substance is added to meat, amino acids are produced.

What is this substance?

3 The diagram shows part of a protein molecule.

What does X represent?

The results are shown in the table.

Which food contains protein but not reducing sugar or starch?

Benedict’s test iodine test biuret test

A blue black purple

A amino acids fatty acids and glycerol

6 The diagram represents a protein molecule.

What do the small circles represent?

food molecules elements basic units

A fats carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen glucose

9 Which simple molecules are the basic units of protein?

solution X purple solution X

Which nutrients are present in solution X?

A protein and starch

12 The data show the concentrations of sugar and starch in an onion.

total sugar including

The onion is tested with Benedict’s solution and iodine solution.

Which set of results is correct?

What identifies the products of fat digestion?

A P and R B P and S C Q and R D Q and S

14 Four foods were tested for each of the following nutrients:

fat (using ethanol);

Which food contains protein and fat?

vitamin C vitamin D iron calcium

17 A student set up a test-tube containing starch, water and amylase.

A Add Biuret solution.

What are solutions X and Y?

19 Which row correctly identifies the chemical elements found in proteins?

carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen

Which nutrient is a protein?

nutrient smaller basic units food test

A amino acids Benedict’s test

21 Which pair of substances is transported in the phloem?

A amino acids and protein

22 Water is a good solvent.

What does this mean?

A It dissolves well in many other substances.

23 What does the digestion of starch produce?

25 The diagram shows part of a starch molecule.

fat (using ethanol),

Which food contains protein and starch?

colour of result of food test

27 The diagram shows a section through an eye.

What are structures X and Y?

A organs in an organ system

A carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

(iii) Name the compound that is converted to glucose at C in Fig. 6.1.

dead organic bean plant

(a) Name the processes A and B shown in Fig. 2.1.

(b) Fig. 2.1 shows that legumes have root nodules.

Describe the roles of proteins and DNA in cells.

Describe how fertilisers may affect freshwater ecosystems.