JAMB Biology 2010 past questions and answers

Which of the following characterizes a mature plant cell?

1. A.The nucleus is pushed to the centre of the cell.
2. B.The cell wall is made up of cellulose.
3. C.The nucleus is small and irregular in shape.
4. D.The cytoplasm fills up the entire cell space.

Which of the following is NOT a function of the nucleus of a cell?

1. A.It translates genetic information for the manufacture of proteins.
2. B.It stores and carries hereditary information
3. C.It is a reservoir of energy for the cell.
4. D.It controls the life processes of the cell.

The dominant phase in the life cycle of a fern is the

1. A.prothallus
2. B.sporophyte
3. C.antheridium
4. D.gametophyte.

Parental care is exhibited by

1. A.snails
2. B.earthworms
3. C.birds
4. D.toads.

Use the diagram to answer: With respect to their decreasing dependence on aquatic conditions for reproduction, which of the following is the correct arrangement of the animals represented?

1. A.IV, III, II and I
2. B.I, II, IV and III
3. C.III, II, IV and I
4. D.I, IV, II and III

Use the diagram to answer: Which of the animals represents the oldest creatures in terms of evolutionary history?

1. A.II
2. B.I
3. C.IV
4. D.III

Which of the following groups of cells is devoid of true nuclei?

1. A.Algae.
2. B.Monera.
3. C.Fungi.
4. D.Viruses.

Use the diagram to answer: The main function of the feathers covering the part labelled I is to

1. A.generate heat to keep the animal warm
2. B.provide some power for flight
3. C.serve as insulator to maintain body heat
4. D.prevent ectoparasites from attacking the animal.

Which of the following is true of the transverse section of a dicot stem?

1. A.The xylem is more interiorly located than the phloem.
2. B.The cambium lies between the cortex and the vascular bundles.
3. C.The vascular bundles are randomly scattered within the cortex.
4. D.The epidermis is completely encircled by the cortex.

Use the diagram to answer: The movement of material in the xylem and phloem tissues of the plant are represented by the arrows labelled

1. A.II and I respectively
2. B.I and II respectively
3. C.IV and III respectively
4. D.III and IV respectively.

Use the diagram to answer: During photosynthesis, the arrow labelled II represents the

1. A.absorption of energy from the sun
2. B.release of carbon(IV) oxide
3. C.release of oxygen as a by-product
4. D.escape of mineral salts.

Which of the following is lacking in the diet of a person with kwashiorkor?

1. A.Proteins.
2. B.Carbohydrates.
3. C.Minerals.
4. D.Vitamins.

The mode of nutrition of sundew and bladderwort can be described as

1. A.saprophytic
2. B.holozoic
3. C.chemosynthetic
4. D.autotrophic.

When a mixture of a food substance and Benedict's solution was warmed, the solution changed from blue to brick-red. This indicates the presence of

1. A.fatty acid
2. B.sucrose
3. C.amino acid
4. D.reducing sugar.

The primary structure responsible for pumping blood for circulation through the mammalian circulatory systems is the

1. A.right auricle
2. B.arteries
3. C.left ventricle
4. D.veins.

Circulation of blood to all parts of the body except the lungs is through

1. A.systemic circulation
2. B.the lymphatic system
3. C.pulmonary circulation
4. D.the pulmonary artery.

The sheet of muscle that separates the thoracic and the abdominal cavities is the

1. A.intercostal muscle
2. B.pleural membrane
3. C.pericardium
4. D.diaphragm.

The oily substance that lubricates the mammalian hair to keep it flexible and water repellent is secreted by the

1. A.sebaceous glands
2. B.fatty cells
3. C.granular layer
4. D.sweat glands.

The outer layer of the kidney where the Bowman's capsules are found is the

1. A.pelvis
2. B.medulla
3. C.pyramid
4. D.cortex.

In the male reproductive system of a mammal, sperm is stored in the

1. A.urethra
2. B.epididymis
3. C.seminiferous tubules
4. D.van deferens.

Chemosynthetic organisms are capable of manufacturing their food from simple inorganic substances through the process of

1. A.denitrification
2. B.reduction
3. C.phosphorylation
4. D.oxidation

The part of the human gut that has an acidic content is the

1. A.duodenum
2. B.ileum
3. C.colon
4. D.stomach.

I. Stomata → Spirogyra
II. Alveoli → Earthworm
III. Malpighian tubule → Mammal
IV. Contractile vacuole → Protozoa
Which of the above structures is correctly matched with the organisms in which it is found?

1. A.II
2. B.I
3. C.IV
4. D.III

A food chain always begins with a

1. A.decomposer
2. B.producer
3. C.primary consumer
4. D.consumer.

Mycorrhizae promote plant growth by

1. A.protecting it from infection.
2. B.helping it to utilize atmospheric nitrogen.
3. C.serving as a growth regulator.
4. D.absorbing inorganic ions from the soil.

The barrier between maternal and foetal blood is the

1. A.liver
2. B.umbilical chord
3. C.uterine wall
4. D.placenta.

The blood component that has the greatest affinity for oxygen is the

1. A.leucocytes
2. B.erythrocytes
3. C.thrombocytes
4. D.lymphocytes.

Which of the following organisms is mainly found in the marine habitat?

1. A.Tilapia.
2. B.Dog fish.
3. C.Tortoise.
4. D.Achatina.

The two halves of the pelvic girdle are joined together at the

1. A.ilium
2. B.pubis
3. C.obturator foramen
4. D.pubic symphysis.

I. Adoption of appropriate nocturnal habits
II. Burrowing.
III. Adjusting their internal body temperature.
IV. Possession of many sweat pores.
Which of the above are ways in which desert animals adapt to extreme heat of the environment?

1. A.II and III only.
2. B.I and II only.
3. C.I, II and III only.
4. D.I and IV only.

Low annual rainfall, sparse vegetation, high diurnal temperatures and cold nights are characteristic features of the

1. A.desert
2. B.montane forest
3. C.guinea savanna
4. D.tropical rainforest.

The average number of individuals of a species per unit area of the habitat is the

1. A.population per unit area
2. B.population size
3. C.population frequency distribution
4. D.population density.

The activity of an organism which affects the survival of another organism in the same habitat constitutes

1. A.an abiotic factor
2. B.a biotic factor
3. C.a physiographic factor
4. D.an edaphic factor.

The loss of soil through erosion can be reduced by

1. A.crop rotation
2. B.manuring
3. C.irrigation
4. D.watering.

The vector for yellow fever is

1. A.Anopheles mosquito
2. B.tsetse fly
3. C.blackfly
4. D.Aedes mosquito.

The protozoan Plasmodium falciparum is transmitted by

1. A.female Aedes mosquitoes
2. B.female Culex mosquitoes
3. C.female blackfly
4. D.female Anopheles mosquitoes.

A dilute solution of phenylthiocarbamide tastes bitter to some people and is tasteless to others. This is an example of

1. A.discontinuous variation
2. B.morphological variation
3. C.continuous variation
4. D.taste bud variation.

Use the graph to answer: In which plantation are all the trees between the height of 2 - 4m?

1. A.II
2. B.I
3. C.IV
4. D.III

Use the graph to answer: Which of the following is a true feature of plantation II?

1. A.It has the highest number of trees.
2. B.It has the highest number of tall trees.
3. C.The height of all its trees range between 2m and 6m.
4. D.It has the highest number of trees of about 2m high.

Thyroxine and adrenalin are examples of hormones which control

1. A.tongue rolling
2. B.behavioural patterns
3. C.colour variation
4. D.blood grouping.

A pair of genes that control a trait is referred to as

1. A.recessive
2. B.dominant
3. C.a hybrid
4. D.an allele.

The chromosome number of a cell before and after the process of meiosis is conventionally represented as

1. A.n→n
2. B.n→2n
3. C.2n→n
4. D.2n→2n

If both parents are heterozygous for a trait, the probability that an offspring will be recessive for that trait is

1. A.1/2
2. B.1/4
3. C.1
4. D.3/4

At what stage in the life history of a mammal is the sex of an individual set?

1. A.At puberty.
2. B.At birth.
3. C.At conception.
4. D.At adolescence.

The main distinguishing features between the soldier termite and other members of the caste are the

1. A.presence of wings, possession of a large thorax and a small head
2. B.absence of wings, possession of strong mandibles and a large head
3. C.absence of wings, possession of big head and the absence of mandible
4. D.presence of wings, possession of a small head and large thorax.

The flippers of a whale and the fins of a fish are examples of

1. A.coevolution
2. B.continuous variation
3. C.convergent evolution
4. D.divergent evolution.