Subjects · Leaving Cert Home Economics
Leaving Cert Home Economics: Protein
How often Protein comes up on the Home Economics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 7 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 2025. most years
Quick ones on Protein.
- Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only
- Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
- Carbon, oxygen and iron
- Monosaccharides
- Fatty acids
- Amino acids
- Peptide bond
- Ester bond
- Glycosidic bond
Show the answers
(a) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
(b) Amino acids
(c) Peptide bond
Higher Level
Asked on 7 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Q1 |
| 2025 | Not asked |
| 2024 | A1, A5 |
| 2023 | Not asked |
| 2022 | A3, Q2 |
| 2021 | A1, A8 |
| 2019 | Not asked |
| 2018 | A3, Q2 |
| 2017 | A1 |
| 2016 | A1, A5 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Protein questions
Protein, 3 marks
Limiting amino acid in cereal protein?
- Methionine
- Leucine
- Lysine
Show the answer
Lysine
Cereals are short of lysine and pulses are short of methionine. Eating the two together supplies both.
Protein, 3 marks
What is the primary structure of a protein?
- The number of chains that are joined up
- The order of amino acids in the chain
- The folding of the chain into a helix
Show the answer
The order of amino acids in the chain
The primary structure is the amino acid sequence. Folding into a helix or pleat is the secondary structure.
Protein, 2 marks
Which of these is a fibrous protein?
- Collagen
- Albumin
- Myoglobin
Show the answer
Collagen
Fibrous proteins such as collagen and elastin form long strands. Globular proteins such as albumin and myoglobin are folded into compact shapes.
Ordinary Level
Asked on 8 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Not asked |
| 2025 | A2 |
| 2024 | A1 |
| 2023 | A3, Q1 |
| 2022 | Not asked |
| 2021 | A1 |
| 2019 | A3 |
| 2018 | Q1 |
| 2017 | A3 |
| 2016 | A1 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Protein questions
Protein, 2 marks
Main function of protein in the body?
- Keeping the body warm
- Helping the eyes to see in dim light
- Growth and repair of body cells
Show the answer
Growth and repair of body cells
Protein builds new cells and repairs damaged ones, so children, teenagers and pregnant women need plenty of it.
Protein, 2 marks
Which food is a good source of protein?
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
Show the answer
Eggs
Eggs, meat, fish, milk and cheese are the main protein foods. Butter is nearly all fat and sugar is pure carbohydrate.
Protein, 2 marks
Protein is made up of small units called?
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
- Sugars
Show the answer
Amino acids
Digestion breaks protein down into amino acids. The body then joins them back together to build the proteins it needs.
Other Home Economics topics
- Food microbiology
- Meal planning
- Textiles and fibres
- Food labelling
- Lipids
- The family
- Vitamins
- Carbohydrates
- Cereals
- Food preservation
- Food safety and hygiene
- Household budgeting
- Minerals
- Special diets
- Fruit and vegetables
- Housing
- Insurance and saving
- Consumer protection
- Cooking methods
- Food additives
- Marriage and family law
- Meat and fish
- Milk and dairy
- Social change
- Community support services
- Consumer rights
- Dietary guidelines
- Eggs
- Energy and metabolism
- Energy in the home
- Food processing
- Household appliances
- Pastry, sauces and raising agents
- The environment
- Consumer research
- Family resource management
- Digestion and absorption
- Water
- Sensory analysis
- Food commodities