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CAIE IGCSE Biology 7.3 Physical Digestion Questions

Practise explaining how teeth, stomach churning and bile break food into smaller pieces or droplets without chemical change.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Exam points

  • define physical digestion as size reduction without changing the chemical nature of food molecules
  • link chewing, churning and fat emulsification to increased surface area for digestive enzymes
  • identify tooth types and structures and explain their roles in cutting, tearing, crushing or grinding

Covered syllabus points

7.3.1—Physical digestion as the breakdown7.3.2—Physical digestion increases7.3.3—Types of human teeth7.3.4—Structure of human teeth7.3.5—Functions of the types of human teeth7.3.6—Function of the stomach in physical7.3.7—Bile and fat emulsification

Question 1

[Maximum number: 8]

Question (a)

(a)

Fig. 1.1 shows part of the human digestive system.

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.1

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Describe physical digestion.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

State the names of two places where physical digestion occurs in the body.

1

2

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Bile is involved in fat digestion.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Complete the sentences about fat digestion.

Bile is released into the in the digestive system. Bile increases the surface area of fats and oils. This is called This increase in surface area increases the rate of digestion using the enzyme .

[ 4 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 3]

Fig. 6.1 is a flow diagram that shows what happens at the start of a bacterial infection.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.1

Question (a)

(a)

Fig. 6.3 shows some human teeth that require dental treatment.

Fig. 6.3

Fig. 6.3

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Identify the type of teeth in Fig. 6.3.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Explain how bacteria dissolve enamel to cause tooth decay.

[ 2 ]

Question 3

[Maximum number: 11]

Question (a)

(a)

Fig. 2.1 is a vertical section of a human molar tooth and surrounding structures.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

State the names of the parts labelled A to D on Fig. 2.1.

A

B
C

D

[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Describe and explain the function of molar teeth.

[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Fig. 2.2 is an X-ray of decay in a molar tooth.

Fig. 2.2

Fig. 2.2

Explain how tooth decay occurs.

[ 4 ]
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