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Biology journal Cambridge IGCSE 0610

Topic 7 of 21 · 4 modules planned

Human nutrition

A balanced diet, and how the gut breaks food down and absorbs it.

Modules

  1. Module 1 · syllabus 7.1

    A balanced diet

    Is this a balanced diet?

    This module is planned. It will have readings, an experiment, practice with self-checks and a final check.

Syllabus statements for this topic · for teachers · 25 statements

Core for every pupil · Supplement also for Extended entry. Paraphrased from the Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus (2026–2028); check the official syllabus for exact wording.

7.1 Diet

  • 7.1.1Meaning of a balanced dietC
  • 7.1.2Dietary sources and roles of nutrientsC
  • 7.1.3Causes of scurvy and ricketsC

7.2 Digestive system

  • 7.2.1Identify organs of the digestive systemC
  • 7.2.2Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, egestionC

7.3 Physical digestion

  • 7.3.1Physical digestion without chemical changeC
  • 7.3.2Physical digestion increases surface area for enzymesC
  • 7.3.3Identify incisors, canines, premolars and molarsC
  • 7.3.4Structure of a toothC
  • 7.3.5Functions of the tooth typesC
  • 7.3.6Stomach’s role in physical digestionC
  • 7.3.7Bile emulsifies fats and oilsS

7.4 Chemical digestion

  • 7.4.1Chemical digestion: large insoluble to small solubleC
  • 7.4.2Small soluble molecules can be absorbedC
  • 7.4.3Amylase, protease and lipase actionsC
  • 7.4.4Where digestive enzymes are secreted and actC
  • 7.4.5Roles of hydrochloric acid in the stomachC
  • 7.4.6Starch to maltose to glucoseS
  • 7.4.7Pepsin and trypsin at different pHS
  • 7.4.8Bile neutralises acid from the stomachS

7.5 Absorption

  • 7.5.1Small intestine absorbs nutrientsC
  • 7.5.2Water absorption in small intestine and colonC
  • 7.5.3Villi and microvilli increase surface areaS
  • 7.5.4Structure of a villusS
  • 7.5.5Capillaries and lacteals in villiS