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CAIE IGCSE Biology 7.1 Diet & Nutrients

Practise evaluating balanced diets and linking nutrient sources and functions to deficiency symptoms and personal needs.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Exam points

  • define a balanced diet as all required nutrients and suitable energy in appropriate proportions
  • use food or RDA data to judge whether a diet meets age, activity, pregnancy or health needs
  • link named nutrient deficiencies to scurvy, rickets, anaemia, constipation or protein malnutrition

Covered syllabus points

7.1.1—What is meant by a balanced diet7.1.2—Principal dietary sources and describe7.1.3—Causes of scurvy and rickets

7.1 Diet question 1

[Maximum number: 12]

A balanced diet is required to ensure healthy weight gain as children grow.

Question (a)

(a)

Explain the term balanced diet.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

A doctor diagnosed a young child with marasmus.

Describe the symptoms of marasmus.

[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The child with marasmus was put on a special diet.

He was given fortified milk, which is milk that has extra nutrients added to it.
The child was encouraged to drink as much fortified milk as he wanted over a period of seven months.

Table 4.1 shows the composition of the fortified milk given to the child and the composition of cow's milk for comparison.

Table 4.1

Table 4.1

The body mass of the child who had marasmus and the mean body mass of healthy children of the same age were recorded. The data is shown in Fig. 4.1.
body mass/kg

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1

Using the information in Table 4.1 and Fig. 4.1, describe and explain the importance of diet when treating children affected by marasmus.

[ 6 ]

7.1 Diet question 2

[Maximum number: 4]

Carbohydrates are an important component of a balanced diet.
The flow chart in Fig. 3.1 shows some of the processes that happen to carbohydrates in food that is eaten.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1

Mineral salts are another important component of a balanced diet.

State the importance of calcium ions and iron ions in a balanced diet.
calcium ions
iron ions

7.1 Diet question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Fish are an important part of a balanced diet for many people.

Fish are a good source of vitamin D.

State one effect of a diet that is deficient in vitamin D.

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