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Subjects · Leaving Cert Biology

Leaving Cert Biology: Food

How often Food comes up on the Biology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Biology course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Food, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Food.

(a)Reagent used to test for reducing sugar?
  1. Biuret reagent
  2. Benedict's reagent
  3. Iodine
(b)Positive result for starch with iodine?
  1. Purple
  2. Brick-red
  3. Blue-black
(c)Positive Biuret test colour?
  1. Purple (violet)
  2. Blue-black
  3. Brick-red
Show the answers

(a) Benedict's reagent

(b) Blue-black

(c) Purple (violet)

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Food.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q1
2025Q1
2024Q1
2023Not asked
2022Q1, Q5
2021Q1
2019Q1
2018Q1
2017Q1
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Food questions

Food, 2 marks

Most reactions in cells take place dissolved in?

  1. Oil
  2. Cellulose
  3. Water
Show the answer

Water

Water is an excellent solvent, so substances can dissolve, meet and react. It also transports materials and takes part in reactions like photosynthesis.

Food, 2 marks

Mineral ions needed to carry nerve impulses?

  1. Zinc and copper
  2. Sodium and potassium
  3. Iron and iodine
Show the answer

Sodium and potassium

Minerals are needed in small amounts for pH balance, enzyme regulation, nerve impulses and muscle contraction. Na+ and K+ ions move across the neuron membrane.

Food, 2 marks

Which of these vitamins is fat-soluble?

  1. Vitamin A
  2. Vitamin C
  3. Vitamin B12
Show the answer

Vitamin A

Vitamins A, D, E and K dissolve in fat and are stored in the liver. B vitamins and vitamin C dissolve in water.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q1
2025Q1
2024Q1
2023Q1
2022Q1
2021Q1
2019Q1
2018Q1
2017Q1
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Food questions

Food, 2 marks

Which three elements are found in all carbohydrates?

  1. Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen
  2. Oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur
  3. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Show the answer

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

Carbohydrate means carbon plus water: C, H and O only. Nitrogen is the giveaway element of protein, not of carbohydrate.

Food, 2 marks

Which element is found in protein but not in carbohydrate or fat?

  1. Oxygen
  2. Nitrogen
  3. Carbon
Show the answer

Nitrogen

N for Nitrogen, N for proteiN. All three food types share C, H and O, so nitrogen is how you tell protein apart.

Food, 2 marks

Which food type gives the most energy per gram?

  1. Fat
  2. Protein
  3. Carbohydrate
Show the answer

Fat

Fat gives roughly twice the energy per gram of carbohydrate or protein, which is why the body stores spare energy as fat.

Other Biology topics

All of Leaving Cert Biology