Absorption and assimilation

Which process uses nutrients inside cells?

May/June 2015

Give one example of assimilation.

May/June 2015

Fig. 6.1 illustrates a structure that occurs in a section of the alimentary canal.

May/June 2015

Digestion in the human alimentary canal happens through the action of enzymes. Each food group acts as the substrate for a particular enzyme.

May/June 2016

The villi in the intestinal wall increase the surface area of the small intestine. In what way does this larger surface area aid the absorption of digested materials?

May/June 2018

The diagram illustrates a section of the wall of the small intestine. Into which structure are most of the lipid components of the diet absorbed so that they can be carried to the rest of the body?

May/June 2019

The diagram depicts part of the wall of the small intestine. Into which structure are most dietary lipid components absorbed before being carried to the rest of the body?

May/June 2019

Which of the following is not an example of assimilation?

May/June 2021

The diagram illustrates villi in the small intestine.

May/June 2021

Give one example of assimilation.

May/June 2022

What is one example of assimilation?

May/June 2022

An investigation is performed into digestion and absorption in the alimentary canal. The diagram shows the apparatus used. The Visking tubing allows small molecules such as glucose to pass through, but it does not allow large molecules such as starch to pass through. After one hour, the water samples in the beaker are tested using Benedict’s solution and iodine solution. Which colours are obtained?

May/June 2023

Someone with coeliac disease has flattened villi in their ileum. If such a person consumes the same amount and kinds of food as someone without the disease, the glucose level in their hepatic portal vein will be lower. Which row gives the reason for this?

May/June 2023

A healthy person consumes a meal that includes carbohydrates. After two hours, which structure would hold a fluid with a higher glucose concentration?

May/June 2024

Brown bread, produced from flour milled from whole wheat grains, contains starch and fibre.

May/June 2024

Which process is not an example of assimilation of absorbed food molecules?

May/June 2025

Which features help a villus to be well suited for taking up amino acids from the ileum?

Oct/Nov 2015

Which row indicates the substances mainly taken into capillaries and the substances mainly taken into lacteals, in the villi of the small intestine?

Oct/Nov 2016

The diagram illustrates a section of the wall of the small intestine. Into which structure are most lipid components taken up for transport to the rest of the body?

Oct/Nov 2016

The diagram displays a section of the alimentary canal and the organs linked to it. Which part would have high concentrations of glucose and amino acids four hours after a meal?

Oct/Nov 2017

Blood from the ileum is transported to the liver in the hepatic portal vein. Why does this benefit the body?

Oct/Nov 2017

In a person with coeliac disease, the villi in the ileum are flattened. If someone with coeliac disease consumes the same amounts and kinds of food as a person without the disease, the concentrations of glucose and amino acids in the hepatic portal vein will be lower. Which row gives the correct explanation?

Oct/Nov 2018

The table compares the absorption rates of two sugars, arabinose and glucose, in living and dead intestines. In every case, the sugar concentrations inside the intestines were identical. What are the main methods by which arabinose and glucose are absorbed in living intestine?

Oct/Nov 2019

The table gives the absorption rates of two different sugars, arabinose and glucose, in living and dead intestines. In each case, the sugar concentrations inside the intestines were identical. What are the main methods by which arabinose and glucose are absorbed in living intestine?

Oct/Nov 2019

Which structure contains villi that increase its surface area?

Oct/Nov 2019

Proteins form a key part of the human diet. After protein molecules are digested, the digestion products are taken into the blood.

Oct/Nov 2019

Blood travels from the small intestine in the hepatic portal vein. After that, where does the blood travel to, and what can happen there?

Oct/Nov 2020

What is the principal role of the villi in the ileum?

Oct/Nov 2020

The diagram illustrates the total amount of water that enters and leaves the organs of the human alimentary canal in one day.

Oct/Nov 2020

The diagram shows a cross-section through a villus. Which products of digestion are mainly taken up by vessel X?

Oct/Nov 2021

This graph illustrates the way blood alcohol concentration varies after a person has drunk alcohol.

Oct/Nov 2021

Which of the following are the correct definitions of digestion and assimilation? 1 the taking of food into the body via the mouth 2 the splitting of large insoluble food molecules into smaller soluble molecules 3 the absorption and use of food molecules in the cells of the body 4 the passage of food molecules across the wall of the intestine into the blood and lymph

Oct/Nov 2023

Which diagram illustrates the absorption of different food molecules into a villus?

Oct/Nov 2024

The diagram shows a cross-section of a villus. What is the principal function of vessel X?

Oct/Nov 2024

Which section of the human digestive system is a principal site for assimilation of amino acids?

Oct/Nov 2024

Villi and alveoli share some common features. Which feature is not found in villi and alveoli?

Oct/Nov 2025