Diet, carbohydrates and lipids: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Diet, carbohydrates and lipids (specification points 1.11–1.15), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

Q2(a)
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q10(a)(i)
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q4(a)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
3 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q4(b)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
5 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q6(a)
June 2024 · Paper 1
3 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
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Q1(a)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 2
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
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Q1(a)(ii)
June 2024 · Paper 2
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q6(a)
June 2024 · AS Paper 1
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q7(a)
June 2024 · AS Paper 1
2 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q10(a)(i)
June 2023 · Paper 2
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q10(a)(ii)
June 2023 · Paper 2
2 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q10(a)(iii)
June 2023 · Paper 2
2 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
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Q3(b)(i)
June 2023 · AS Paper 1
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q3(b)(ii)
June 2023 · AS Paper 1
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q3(c)
June 2023 · AS Paper 1
2 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q3(a)(i)
June 2022 · Paper 2
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q3(a)(ii)
June 2022 · Paper 2
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
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Q3(a)(iii)
June 2022 · Paper 2
4 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
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Q10(c)
June 2022 · Paper 2
2 marksDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗
Q6(a)
June 2022 · Paper 3
1 markDiet, carbohydrates and lipids
The whole paper ↗

All 87 questions on Diet, carbohydrates and lipids, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which of the following describes the structure of starch? (1) A amino acids joined by glycosidic bonds B amino acids joined by peptide bonds C glucose molecules
June 2025, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Which statement describes the role of amylase in the germination of a seed? (1) A starch is broken down by condensation reactions to release glucose for respira
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q4(a) (3 marks): It is recommended that a pregnant woman consumes 85 mg of vitamin C a day. Calculate the volume of purple‑sprouting broccoli extract that would provide 85 mg of
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q4(b) (5 marks): The photograph shows green broccoli being cooked in a steamer. (Source: © Art Directors & TRIP / Alamy Stock Photo) Broccoli can also be cooked by boiling in wa
June 2024, Paper 1, Q6(a) (3 marks): Describe the structure of starch. (3)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which atom does R represent? (1) A carbon B hydrogen C nitrogen D oxygen
June 2024, Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which group does P represent? (1) A CH2OH B CH3 C COOH D OH
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): Which of the following statements about polysaccharides is correct? (1) A starch contains amylose, a straight chain containing 1,6 glycosidic bonds B glycogen
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): The table shows categories of BMI. BMI Classification Less than 20 underweight 20–24.9 normal 25–29.9 overweight 30–40 obese Greater than 40 severely obese A ma
June 2023, Paper 2, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the percentage of fat present in the biscuits that contains carbon to carbon double bonds. (1) %
June 2023, Paper 2, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the number of biscuits needed to exceed the recommended daily intake (RI) for sugar. (2) Answer
June 2023, Paper 2, Q10(a)(iii) (2 marks): The energy content for four biscuits and the percentage of total recommended daily intake can be used to calculate a recommended daily intake. Calculate the dai
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following shows the type of molecules in this reaction? (1) Substrate Product A Polypeptide Disaccharide B Polysaccharide Disaccharide C Polypeptid
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following is the type of bond that is broken when starch is hydrolysed by amylase? (1) A glycosidic B hydrogen C ionic D peptide
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q3(c) (2 marks): Explain how the structure of starch makes it a good storage molecule. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): The mice were all of one breed to improve data (1) A accuracy B precision C quantity D validity
June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State a null hypothesis for this investigation. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (4 marks): Comment on the effect of blood plasma HDL levels on the fertility of these female mice. (4)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q10(c) (2 marks): Milk from humans contains both calcium ions and lactose. Lactose is a disaccharide. Describe how lactose is formed from two monosaccharides. (2)
June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(a) (1 mark): Calculate the length of the red flour beetle between A and B. (1) mm
June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(b) (3 marks): The main food source for adult red flour beetles is starch. Red flour beetles lay eggs that contain all the nutrients required for the development of the embryo
June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage of glycogen used from 4 to 8 hours after the eggs were laid. (2) %
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the percentage decrease in the vitamin C content of the pineapple to one decimal place. (1) %
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (4 marks): Plot these data in a suitable graphical form. (4)
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table to show the details of a reagent that could be used to show if vitamin C was present. (2) Colour change observed Reagent name if vitamin C pr
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): State and justify one variable that should have been controlled when the fruits were stored after picking. (2)
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Which carbohydrate is a component of glycogen? (1) A fructose B galactose C glucose D ribose
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which carbohydrate is a disaccharide made of only one type of monosaccharide? (1) A galactose B lactose C maltose D sucrose
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which polysaccharide contains only 1,4 glycosidic bonds? (1) A amylose B amylopectin C glycogen D starch
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Female 1 had a height of 157 cm. Her BMI at the start of the investigation was calculated using the following formula. mass in kilograms BMI = (height in metres
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain what is likely to happen to the BMI values for the females in this investigation. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Mucopolysaccharides are large molecules containing unbranched polysaccharides. Describe the structure of an unbranched polysaccharide. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Mucopolysaccharides can be broken down by enzymes. Describe how an enzyme could break down the polysaccharide component of mucopolysaccharides. (2)
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State the type of reaction where two monosaccharides join to form a disaccharide molecule. (1)
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following bonds joins two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide molecule? (1) A ester B glycosidic C hydrogen D peptide
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw the two monosaccharides that are produced when a molecule of sucrose is broken down. (2)
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Name the two monosaccharides that are produced when sucrose is broken down. (1) 1 2
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q3(c) (4 marks): Compare and contrast the structure of a disaccharide with glycogen. (4)
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q4(b) (4 marks): Explain how blood tests and obesity indicators can be used to collect data to predict the risk of developing CVD. (4)
October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): The molecule labelled R is a phospholipid. Give the name of the bond that joins a fatty acid molecule to a glycerol molecule in a phospholipid. (1)
October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Determine the relative risk of developing CVD for a person with a height of 1.54 m and a mass of 61 kg. (2) Answer
October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State another method that could be used to determine if a person is obese. (1)
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Starch is composed of amylose and amylopectin. Which of the following terms is the correct description of amylose? (1) A disaccharide B monosaccharide C polysac
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Starch can be broken down by a (1) A condensation reaction involving ester bonds B condensation reaction involving glycosidic bonds C hydrolysis reaction involv
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give one structural difference between amylose and amylopectin. (1)
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q1(b) (3 marks): Explain how the structures of amylopectin and glycogen make them suitable for storing energy. (3)
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Lactose is found in milk. The sweetness value of lactose is 0.16. Calculate the ratio of the sweetness value of sucrose to lactose. (2) Answer
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following describes lactose? (1) A disaccharide B modified disaccharide C monosaccharide D protein
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q2(b) (3 marks): The incidence of obesity is increasing in some populations. High levels of sugars, such as fructose, in processed food could be contributing to this increase. E
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q4(a) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in lipid during this feed. (2) Answer %
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q4(b) (4 marks): Milk at the start of a feed does not contain any vitamin C. Milk at the end of a feed can contain 10 mg of vitamin C per 100 cm3 of milk. Milk samples were take
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between the number of months of breastfeeding and childhood obesity. (2)
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): A six-year-old child can be classified as obese based on their body mass index (BMI) being over 19 kg m–2. BMI is calculated using the following formula. Body m
June 2018, Paper 1, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe the role of LDLs in the development of atherosclerosis. (3)
June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the structure of glycogen allows it to be an energy store. (3)
June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the structures of a saturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid. (3)
June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is used as an indicator of the risk of cardiovascular disease. The higher the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, the great
June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (6 marks): Doses of testosterone are used to enhance performance in sports by increasing muscle mass and therefore strength. x Testosterone increases the activity of an en
June 2018, Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): The axons of some neurones are surrounded by a myelin sheath. The main component of myelin is a glycolipid. Glycolipids are formed from lipids attached to a cha
June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): On the diagram, draw a circle around an ester bond. (1)
June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): The fatty acids shown on the diagram are saturated. Describe how the diagram would be different if one of the fatty acids was unsaturated. (2)
June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(b) (9 marks): The carbohydrate content of vegetables ranges from 3 to 35%. However, meat contains little to no carbohydrate. Milk is the only food source from animals that co
June 2018, Paper 3, Q7(f) (1 mark): Give two reasons why doctors want to prevent people gaining excess weight (paragraph 28). (1)
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): How many of these molecules contain three elements only? (1) A one B two C three D four
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): State how an unsaturated lipid differs from molecule C. (1)
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(v) (1 mark): Which of these molecules is a component of maltose? (1) A B C D
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q2(b) (1 mark): Name the type of reaction in which a molecule of water is involved in the breaking of a bond in another molecule. (1)
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q3(a) (2 marks): Calculate the mass of orange juice required to provide the same mass of vitamin C that is in 100 g of blackcurrant juice. (2) Answer g
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q3(b) (5 marks): Devise an investigation that can be used to collect these data. (5)
June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the reaction that joins two α‑glucose molecules to form a disaccharide. (2)
June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Compare and contrast the structures of trehalose and maltose. (2)
June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Trehalose is broken down to glucose by the enzyme trehalase. Which of the following describes how glucose is produced from trehalose? (1) A anabolism B catalysi
June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): Insect flight uses a lot of energy. Explain the advantage of insects storing both trehalose and glycogen. (4)
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q3(d)(i) (2 marks): Describe the formation of glycogen from glucose. (2)
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q3(d)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the structure of glycogen is related to its function as a storage molecule. (2)
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): The diet of a dog contains 6% carbohydrate, 64% lipid and 30% protein. This is shown on the diagram as a diamond. The diet of a mink contains 15% carbohydrate,
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which mammal will have a diet containing food with the highest proportion of ester bonds? (1) A bear B cat C human D mouse
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage increase in the average daily energy requirements for boys aged 17 compared with their energy requirements aged 13. (2) Answer %
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): Many foods are labelled in kilocalories (kcal). One calorie is equal to 4.18 joules. Which of the following is the average energy requirements for girls aged 13
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): State what will happen to the additional energy if an individual takes in more energy than is required. (1)
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): A woman is 154 cm tall and has a mass of 61 kg. Her body mass index is calculated using the following formula. BMI = mass in kilograms (height in metres)2 Calcu
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following is the name of the bond labelled X? (1) A ester bond B glycosidic bond C hydrogen bond D phosphodiester bond
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the pH in the small intestine would change after lipase hydrolyses lipids. (2)
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(b) (4 marks): The triglyceride in the diagram can combine with protein to form a lipoprotein. Explain the effect that large quantities of this lipoprotein would have on blood
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(c) (1 mark): Glycogen and starch can be hydrolysed by enzymes. Which row shows the correct features of the structure of glycogen? (1) A 1,4‑glycosidic bonds only branched B
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the ratio of amylose to amylopectin in cassava. Give your answer in simplest form. (1) Answer
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q6(d)(ii) (4 marks): Explain the relationship between the composition of the starch and the rate of hydrolysis by enzymes. (4)

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