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International A LevelBiologyEdexcelExam Questions1. Molecules, Transport & HealthDiet & Health

Diet & Health (Edexcel International A Level Biology)

Exam Questions

1 hour6 questions
1a
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Several factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The diagram shows some factors that increase the risk of CVD.

Complete the diagram with one lifestyle risk factor and one non-lifestyle risk factor. 

q7a-unit-1-january-2021-edexcel-ial-biology

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1b
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The graph shows the effect of exercise on the relative risk of death from CVD.

q7b-unit-1-january-2021-edexcel-ial-biology

Describe the conclusions that can be made from the information shown in this graph.

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1c
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Dietary antioxidants may reduce the risk of CVD.

(i)

Explain how dietary antioxidants reduce the risk of CVD.

(3)

(ii)

Devise a study to confirm that antioxidants reduce the risk of CVD.

(3)

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1d
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The coronary artery may become completely blocked in people with CVD.

The graph shows how the energy released by heart muscle cells changes after the coronary artery becomes completely blocked.

q7d-unit-1-january-2021-edexcel-ial-biology

The heart muscle cells no longer contract 8 minutes after the coronary artery becomes completely blocked.

The heart muscle cells begin to die 20 minutes after the coronary artery becomes completely blocked.

Explain the effects on the heart function after the coronary artery becomes completely blocked.

Use the information shown in the graph and your own knowledge to support your answer.

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2a
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Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and skinfold thickness are indicators of obesity.

The table shows some measurements taken from two females, female J and female K.

Female Height / cm Mass / kg Waist / cm Hips / cm BMI WHR
J 155 59.1 80 100 25 0.80
K 155     125 36 0.80

(i)

Calculate the waist size of female K.

(1)

(ii)

The formula for calculating BMI is:

screenshot-2022-11-23-14-25-22

Calculate the mass of female K, using the data in the table.

(3)

(iii)

Comment on the risk of developing CVD in these two women.

(2)

(iv)

The diagram shows how the waist and hip measurements should be taken, using a tape measure.q6aiv-unit-1-june-2021-edexcel-ial-biology
Explain how the way a person takes these measurements could produce an underestimate of their risk of CVD.

(2)

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2b
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The diagram shows how a skinfold thickness measurement is taken over the triceps muscle at the back of the arm.

q6b-unit-1-june-2021-edexcel-ial-biology
Skinfold thickness measures the thickness of the layer of fat under the skin.

Measurements are taken from several sites on the body.

The table shows the skinfold thickness at four sites on a 42-year-old female.

Site Skinfold thickness / a.u.
over the biceps at the front of the arm 0.63
over the triceps at the back of the arm 0.82
under the shoulder blade at the back of the neck 0.65
above the hip bone at the side of the body 0.82

(i)

Suggest two reasons why the skinfold thickness values are different at each site on the body.

Assume that the skin callipers have been used correctly.

(2)

(ii)

The table shows a body fat interpretation chart.

The values in the table are the means of the four skinfold thickness measurements.

Age Level of body fat
Low Moderate High Very high
20 to 29 <0.71 0.71 to 0.77 0.78 to 0.82 >0.82
30 to 39 <0.72 0.72 to 0.78 0.79 to 0.84 >0.84
40 to 49 <0.73 0.73 to 0.79 0.80 to 0.87 >0.87
50 to 59 <0.74 0.74 to 0.81 0.82 to 0.88 >0.88

Determine the level of body fat of this female.

(1)

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3a
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A number of factors affect the risk of a person developing heart disease.

One factor affecting this risk is the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood.

The graph shows the effects of HDL levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood on the risk of men developing heart disease.q7a-unit-1-oct-2021-edexcel-ial-biology

For men, a blood HDL level greater than 40mgdm−3 is thought to be optimal.

Explain why a man with a blood HDL level greater than 40mgdm−3 may still have a high risk of developing heart disease.

Use the information in the graph and your own knowledge to support your answer.

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3b
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Very high levels of cholesterol in the blood can alter the structure of HDL.
This altered HDL is less effective in reducing the risk of heart disease.

The diagram shows the structure of HDL in blood with a low level of cholesterol and altered HDL in blood with a high level of cholesterol.

q7b-unit-1-oct-2021-edexcel-ial-biology

(i)

Compare and contrast the structure of HDL with altered HDL.

(3)

(ii)

The antioxidant properties of altered HDL are reduced.

Explain the effect that this has on reducing the risk of heart disease.

(3)

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4a
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Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One way to reduce obesity is to lose weight by changing eating habits.

Name two obesity indicators used by scientists.

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4b
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Glucomannan is a dietary supplement claimed to aid weight loss.

Glucomannan is a branched polysaccharide similar in structure to amylopectin.

(i)

Which glycosidic bonds are responsible for the branching in glucomannan?

(1)

 

☐

A

1‐4 only
 

☐

B

1‐6 only
 

☐

C

both 1‐4 and 1‐6
 

☐

D

neither 1‐4 nor 1‐6

(ii)

In the presence of water, glucomannan swells to form a semi‐solid gel.

The diagram shows a stomach with glucomannan present and a stomach without glucomannan.


q5b-unit-1-oct-2020-edexcel-ial-biology

Suggest how glucomannan aids weight loss.

(1)

(iii)

If glucomannan could be digested it would cause a gain in weight.

Explain why glucomannan could cause a gain in weight.

(2)

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4c
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A study compared weight loss in two groups of women.

One group of women had a low‐fat diet and the other group of women had a very low‐carbohydrate diet.

(i)
The table shows the results of this study.

Number of weeks
on the diet		 Mean body mass of the group of women / kg
Group on the
low‐fat diet		 Group on the very
low‐carbohydrate diet
0 92.5 91.1
2 90.6 88.3
4 89.9 87.5
6 89.0 85.6
8 88.8 84.5
10 88.3 84.1
12 88.2 83.0

Many studies claim that a low‐carbohydrate diet can result in two to three times as much weight loss as a low‐fat diet.

Determine the extent to which this study supports this claim.

(3)

(ii)

Very low‐carbohydrate diets may increase cardiovascular risk factors.

Give two factors, other than weight loss, that should have been monitored in this study.

(2)

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5a
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Low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs) transport lipids around the body in the blood.

Low‐density lipoproteins can result in the development of atherosclerosis.

They can be absorbed into the endothelial cells lining arteries and broken down by free radicals.

The diagram shows a low‐density lipoprotein containing cholesterol.

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Compare and contrast the structure of a triglyceride and a phospholipid.

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5b
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Explain why the properties of LDLs enable cholesterol to be transported in the blood.

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5c
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The diameters of LDLs range from 19nm to 24 nm.

The table shows some information about LDLs.

Diameter of LDL
/ nm		 Volume of LDL
/ nm3		 Volume of cholesterol
/ nm3		 Ratio of LDL volume
to cholesterol volume
19 3591 523 7:1
24   523  

(i)

Complete the table by calculating the volume of LDL and the ratio of LDL volume to cholesterol volume.
Use the formula v space equals space 4 over 3 straight pi r cubed

(3)

(ii)

The graph shows the relationship between LDLs, high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) and the risk of CVD.

screenshot-2022-11-28-16-28-37

Explain why measuring only the level of LDL in the blood is not a reliable predictor of CVD.

Use the graph, all the information in this question and your own knowledge to support your answer.

(6)

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6a
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The risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is affected by two groups of factors:

    • Lifestyle factors that can be changed
    • Non‐lifestyle factors that cannot be changed.

Methods to reduce the risk of developing CVD include drug treatments and lifestyle changes.

(i)
Which row of the table identifies one lifestyle factor and one non‐lifestyle factor?

(1)

      Lifestyle factor Non‐lifestyle factor
  ☐ A body mass index (BMI) age
  ☐ B gender high alcohol intake
  ☐ C genetics high blood pressure
  ☐ D high blood cholesterol inactivity

(ii)
Explain why a person might have to take several types of drugs to reduce the risk of CVD.

(2)

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6b
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Nutritional studies have shown that dietary antioxidants can reduce the risk of CVD.

(i)

Explain why antioxidants in the diet reduce the risk of CVD.

(3)

(ii)

Some studies do not assess the nutritional quality of the diet of the participants.

Explain why the results of these studies have to be treated with caution.

(3)

(iii)

Explain why changes in diet, other than antioxidants, can reduce the risk of CVD.

(2)

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