O Level Combined Science 5129 · Topic 4

Human nutrition: past paper questions

106 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: State, Complete, Name, Draw, Explain

Real questions on human nutrition

The newest 20 of 69 written questions, plus 37 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5129/21 · October/November 2025 · Q13[5]
Some of the organs of the human digestive system are labelled with the numbers 1–7 on Fig. 13.1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Complete Table 13.1 by inserting the number from Fig. 13.1 that identifies the organ where the function occurs. Each number may be used once, more than once or not at all. Table 13.1 number of organ bacteria a...
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[2]
Name the parts of the digestive system labelled X and Y on Fig. 4.1. X
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
Use the information in Fig. 4.1 to name the nutrients that start being digested in the stomach.
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
Name the part of the digestive system where most of the digestion of carbohydrates takes place.
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(iii)[1]
Explain why the digestion of carbohydrates is reduced in the stomach.
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[2]
Describe what happens to the small nutrient molecules produced after the nutrients are digested.
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5129/31 · October/November 2025 · Q4[7]
An indicator is mixed with milk, and the colour of the mixture of indicator and milk changes from white to pink. If a specific enzyme is now added to the mixture of milk and indicator, the fat in the milk is digested after a period of time and the colour of the mixture changes back to white from pink. A student states:...
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[4]
Complete the sentences about digestion by using words or phrases from the list. Each word or phrase may be used once, more than once, or not at all. amino acids amylase fatty acids lipase maltase protease Maltose is then broken down to glucose by . Fats are broken down into glycerol and by the The enzyme breaks down st...
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5129/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[2]
Name the parts of the digestive system labelled A and B on Fig. 2.1. A
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5129/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[4]
Describe and explain the digestion of fat in the digestive system, using the information in Fig. 2.1.
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5129/21 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[2]
Table 5.1 shows the functions of these cells. Complete Table 5.1 by identifying which cell X, Y or Z is responsible for the function. Each letter can be used once, more than once or not at all. function of blood cell engulfs pathogens Table 5.1 cell produces antibodies transports oxygen
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5129/21 · October/November 2024 · Q5b[2]
Platelets are another type of cell found in the blood. When the body is injured, platelets make the blood form a clot. State two functions of a blood clot. function function
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5129/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
State the name of the part labelled W in Fig. 1.1.
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5129/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(ii)[1]
State the name of the part labelled X in Fig. 1.1.
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5129/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1b[2]
State one function for each of the parts labelled Y and Z on Fig. 1.1. function of part Y function of part Z
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5129/22 · October/November 2024 · Q7[3]
Draw three straight lines from the box on the left to the boxes on the right to make three sentences that are correct for glucose. … contains the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. … is a good source of fibre in the diet. … is digested by amylase in the ileum. Glucose … … may be found in the urine of peopl...
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5129/21 · May/June 2024 · Q13[4]
Fig. 13.1 shows the human digestive system. Some of the parts are identified by letters. A B C D E F G Fig. 13.1 Table 13.1 shows the functions of the some of the labelled parts. Complete Table 13.1 by writing a letter from Fig. 13.1 to show where the function occurs. An example has been done for you. Table 13.1 functi...
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5129/22 · May/June 2024 · Q5[3]
Draw three straight lines from the box on the left to three of the boxes on the right to make three correct sentences about the liver. … stores protein. … is damaged if excessive alcohol is drunk. … produces lipase. The liver … … produces urea. … sends blood back towards the heart along the hepatic portal vein. … store...
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5129/22 · May/June 2024 · Q11a[2]
Carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins are important components of the human diet. State two other components of the human diet.
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5129/22 · May/June 2024 · Q11b(i)[1]
State the percentage of the population who were vegan in 2015 in the 35–49 age group. percentage of population = %
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What examiners said

Most candidates recalled the function of red blood cells and many also recalled the function of platelets. Few candidates recalled that lymphocytes produce antibodies. Most candidates stated that white blood cells engulf pathogens but this is not correct for all types so only reference to phagocytes gained this mark.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

Most candidates could recall the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/22 Q11(c) (Cambridge)

In this question, candidates drew lines between digestion processes and the biological structures where they occur. A few candidates missed marks by drawing more than one line from a box. The most common errors related to where urea is produced and where glycogen is stored. This means that candidates are unsure about the functions of the liver.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/22 Q14 (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

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In the syllabus

4.1 Diet

List the chemical elements that make up: (a) carbohydrates (b) lipids (fats and oils) (c) proteins
State that starch, cellulose and glycogen are made from glucose, proteins from amino acids and lipids from glycerol and fatty acids
Describe and be able to do chemical tests for: (a) starch (iodine solution) (b) glucose and maltose (Benedict’s solution) (c) protein (biuret test) (d) lipids (ethanol emulsion test)
List the principal sources of, and describe the dietary importance of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins (C and D only), mineral ions (calcium and iron only), fibre (roughage) and water
Understand the concept of a balanced diet
Describe the signs of Type 2 diabetes (limited to increased blood glucose concentration and glucose in urine) and its treatment by diet, exercise and/or administration of insulin

4.2 Human digestive system

Identify the main regions of the digestive system: mouth, salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum and ileum), pancreas, liver and large intestine (colon, rectum and anus)
Explain why most foods must be digested before they can be absorbed
Describe physical digestion as the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules
State that physical digestion increases the surface area of food for the action of enzymes in chemical digestion
Describe chemical digestion as the breakdown of large molecules into small molecules
Describe the functions of the main regions of the digestive system, limited to: (a) mouth – ingestion, physical digestion, chemical digestion of starch by amylase (b) salivary glands – secretion of saliva containing amylase (c) stomach – physical digestion, chemical digestion of protein by protease, presence of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions (d) small intestine (duodenum and ileum) – chemical digestion of starch by amylase, maltose by maltase, protein by protease and lipids by lipase (e) liver – storage of glycogen, breakdown of excess amino acids to produce urea which is excreted by the kidneys (f) pancreas – alkaline secretion containing amylase, protease and lipase (g) ileum and colon – absorption (h) rectum and anus – egestion

4.2 Human digestive system continued

4.3 Absorption and assimilation

State that the small intestine is the region where nutrients are absorbed
Understand that absorption is the movement of nutrients from the intestines into cells lining the digestive system and then into the blood
Understand that assimilation is the uptake and use by cells of nutrients from the blood
Explain the significance of villi in increasing the internal surface area of the ileum
Understand that water is absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine and the colon, but that most absorption of water happens in the small intestine
State the function of the hepatic portal vein as the route taken to the liver by most of the nutrients absorbed from the ileum

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