Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Biology

Leaving Cert Biology: Human nutrition

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

HL Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

OL Asked on 8 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

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

Human nutrition, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Human nutrition.

(a)Enzyme in saliva?
  1. Pepsin
  2. Amylase
  3. Lipase
(b)Where is bile stored?
  1. Pancreas
  2. Liver
  3. Gall bladder
(c)Role of bile in digesting fats?
  1. Emulsification
  2. Hydrolysis of fats
  3. Absorption
Show the answers

(a) Amylase

(b) Gall bladder

(c) Emulsification

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Human nutrition.

Higher Level

Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q7
2025Q6
2024Q3, Q17
2023Not asked
2022Q6
2021Q14
2019Q15
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

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

More Human nutrition questions

Human nutrition, 2 marks

First part of the small intestine?

  1. Ileum
  2. Colon
  3. Duodenum
Show the answer

Duodenum

It receives bile and pancreatic juice. Their alkaline salts neutralise the acid from the stomach so the enzymes there can work.

Human nutrition, 2 marks

Removal of the amino group from excess amino acids?

  1. Emulsification
  2. Deamination
  3. Detoxification
Show the answer

Deamination

It happens in the liver. The amino group becomes urea, excreted by the kidneys; the rest of the molecule can be respired.

Human nutrition, 2 marks

Salt in pancreatic juice that neutralises stomach acid?

  1. Sodium hydrogen carbonate
  2. Sodium hydroxide solution
  3. Calcium carbonate (chalk)
Show the answer

Sodium hydrogen carbonate

It neutralises the acid from the stomach, giving the slightly alkaline pH that pancreatic and intestinal enzymes need.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 8 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q14
2025Not asked
2024Q16
2023Q3
2022Q6, Q17
2021Q3, Q14
2019Q12
2018Q14
2017Q4
2016Not asked

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

More Human nutrition questions

Human nutrition, 2 marks

Where is most digested food absorbed into the blood?

  1. In the stomach
  2. In the large intestine
  3. In the small intestine
Show the answer

In the small intestine

The small intestine is long and lined with villi, giving a huge surface area for absorption.

Human nutrition, 3 marks

What are the tiny finger-like structures lining the small intestine called?

  1. Nephrons
  2. Villi
  3. Alveoli
Show the answer

Villi

Villi greatly increase the surface area. Each one has a thin wall, a blood supply and a lacteal for absorbing fat.

Human nutrition, 2 marks

Which organ produces bile?

  1. The liver
  2. The gall bladder
  3. The pancreas
Show the answer

The liver

The liver makes bile; the gall bladder only stores it until it is needed. Do not swap the two.

Other Biology topics

All of Leaving Cert Biology