Outline the importance of fibre as a component of a balanced diet.

Distinguish between minerals and vitamins.

fibre/cellulose cannot be digested;
aids peristalsis/helps to prevent constipation/adds bulk;
prevents obesity by increasing bulk in the stomach;
reduces the risk of appendicitis/cancer/hemorrhoids;
slows the rate of sugar absorption/helps prevent diabetes;

minerals are inorganic elements (simple compounds from elements in ionic form) and vitamins are organic compounds (which cannot be synthesised by the body);
minerals are all water soluble but only some vitamins are water soluble (others are lipid soluble);
some vitamins are destroyed by exposure to oxygen, minerals are not;

This was mainly well answered, but candidates needed to be precise in their points. The connection between preventing obesity by increasing bulk in the stomach is an obvious example of the need for complete statements.

There were many irrelevant answers to this question and students seemed very unsure about the nature of vitamins and minerals. Some thought that vitamins are ions, and did not know the difference between inorganic and organic.