WAEC Biology 1993 past questions and answers

The organ which is sensitive to light in Euglena is the

1. A.gullet
2. B.chloroplast
3. C.eye spot
4. D.contractile vacuole
5. E.flagellum

Which of the following is a similarity between a typical animal cell and a typical plant cell? Presence of

1. A.cellulose cell wall
2. B.chlorophyll
3. C.centrally-placed nucleus
4. D.cell membrane
5. E.large vacuole

The first scientist to describe the cell was

1. A.Theodor Schwann
2. B.Felix Dujardin
3. C.Robert Hooke
4. D.Charles Darwin
5. E.Matthias Schleiden

In which of the following parts of a cell is the chromosome found?

1. A.Nucleus
2. B.Golgi body
3. C.Cytoplasm
4. D.Cell membrane
5. E.Cell wall

Use the diagram below to answer questions 5 to 8
The part labelled VII is the

1. A.pleural cavity
2. B.lung
3. C.rib
4. D.diaphragm
5. E.intercostal muscle

Use the diagram of the human thorax (parts labelled I to VII) to answer this question.
The part labelled I is the

1. A.epiglottis
2. B.larynx
3. C.oesophagus
4. D.trachea
5. E.bronchus

Use the diagram of the human thorax (parts labelled I to VII) to answer this question.
Exchange of gases takes place in the air sacs contained in the part labelled

1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.IV
4. D.V
5. E.VI

Which of the following diseases is caused by deficiency of insulin in the body?

1. A.Malaria
2. B.Diabetes mellitus
3. C.Hepatitis
4. D.Gonorrhoea
5. E.Cholera

Which of the following is the medium of transportation of nutrients within unicellular organisms?

1. A.Blood
2. B.Serum
3. C.Protoplasm
4. D.Plasma
5. E.Lymph

Which of the following blood vessels carries oxygenated blood into the heart?

1. A.Pulmonary vein
2. B.Anterior vena cava
3. C.Pulmonary artery
4. D.Aorta
5. E.Posterior vena cava

The conditions that ensure successful exchange of gases in multicellular organisms include the following except

1. A.concentration gradient across the respiratory surface
2. B.presence of thin membrane as the respiratory surface
3. C.last transportation of absorbed gases
4. D.presence of large surface area of the respiratory organ
5. E.presence of small, dry surface area of the respiratory organ

The respiratory organ found in the cockroach is the

1. A.air sac
2. B.trachea
3. C.lung book
4. D.lung
5. E.gill

Which of the following structures functions as an excretory system found in flatworm?

1. A.Contractile vacuole
2. B.Nephridium
3. C.Flame cell
4. D.Malpighian tubule
5. E.Kidney

Which of the following organs is associated with deamination of proteins?

1. A.Lung
2. B.Stomach
3. C.Kidney
4. D.Liver
5. E.Heart

Ultrafiltration in the kidney takes place in the

1. A.loop of Henle
2. B.renal vein
3. C.Bowman's capsule
4. D.pelvis
5. E.pyramid

When an axon is at rest, the concentration of ions on either side of the membrane are different. Which of the following is correct about the concentrations of ions on either side of the membrane?

1. A.There is an excess of potassium ions inside the axon and an excess of sodium ions outside
2. B.The inside of the axon becomes positively charged while the outside is negatively charged
3. C.There is an excess of sodium ions on the inner side of the axon
4. D.Chloride and potassium ions begin to move across the membrane
5. E.Calcium ions accumulate on the inner side of the axon

The groups of sensory cells found on the upper surface of the tongue are called

1. A.ampullae
2. B.taste buds
3. C.nerve cells
4. D.somatic cells
5. E.tactile cells

Use the diagram below to answer questions 19 and 20
Which type of eye defect is illustrated in the diagram above?

1. A.Hypermetropia
2. B.Myopia
3. C.Cataract
4. D.Astigmatism
5. E.Glaucoma

Use the diagram of the eye defect (questions 19 and 20).
This defect can be corrected by the use of

1. A.convex lens
2. B.concave lens
3. C.cylindrical lens
4. D.surgical operation
5. E.biconcave lens

Which of the following is not a courtship behaviour exhibited by animals?

1. A.Pairing
2. B.Display
3. C.Seasonal migration
4. D.Hibernation
5. E.Territorialism

Which of the following mineral salts is a trace element?

1. A.Zinc
2. B.Carbon
3. C.Hydrogen
4. D.Potassium
5. E.Calcium

Which of the following organisms reduces nitrates in the soil to gaseous nitrogen?

1. A.Euglena
2. B.Protozoan
3. C.Denitrifying bacterium
4. D.Parasitic mould
5. E.Nitrifying bacterium

The process whereby microorganisms can convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogenous compound is known as

1. A.nitrogen cycle
2. B.nitrogen fixation
3. C.denitrification
4. D.putrefaction
5. E.decomposition

Use the diagram below to answer questions 25 and 27
What is the function of the part labelled II?

1. A.Attraction of insects
2. B.Secretion of nectar
3. C.Protection of the stigma
4. D.Formation of fruit wall
5. E.Attachment of flower to the shoot

Use the diagram of a flower (parts labelled I and II) to answer this question.
The function of the part labelled I is to

1. A.receive pollen grains
2. B.produce nectar
3. C.store the pollen grains
4. D.store the ovules
5. E.produce the male gametes

Use the diagram of a flower (parts labelled I and II) to answer this question.
How would you describe the position of the ovary in relation to the receptacle?

1. A.Superior
2. B.Inferior
3. C.Semi-inferior
4. D.Gamosepalous
5. E.Polysepalous

What type of relationship exists between a tapeworm and an infected mammal?

1. A.Symbiosis
2. B.Commensalism
3. C.Predation
4. D.Parasitism
5. E.Saprophytism

Use the diagram below to answer questions 29 to 31
The parts labelled IV, V and VI respectively are the

1. A.ciliary body, optic nerve and yellow spot
2. B.blind spot, optic nerve and suspensory ligament
3. C.vitreous humour, yellow spot and optic nerve
4. D.blind spot, optic nerve and pupil
5. E.yellow spot, retina and choroid layer

Use the diagram of the eye (parts labelled I to VII) to answer this question.
The light ray entering the eye goes through the following route

1. A.II, III, I, IV, V
2. B.II, I, VII, III, V
3. C.II, I, III, IV, V
4. D.V, IV, III, I, II
5. E.I, VII, III, IV, V

Use the diagram of the eye (parts labelled I to VII) to answer this question.
Which of the following structures are adjusted in focusing the image of a distant or near object on the retina?

1. A.I and II
2. B.II and III
3. C.III and VII
4. D.IV and V
5. E.V and VII

Which of the following best describes a marine habitat? A large body of water

1. A.which has no distinctive colour or taste
2. B.with high concentration of salt
3. C.with little suspended materials
4. D.with no water weeds
5. E.which sustains no animal life

The following are features of the tropical rain forest except

1. A.abundant water supply
2. B.loose and moist soil
3. C.short trees growing beneath tall trees
4. D.scanty trees with small leaves
5. E.presence of many animals

The following are features of Northern Guinea Savanna except

1. A.presence of tall trees with thick bark
2. B.bare soil with very few trees
3. C.presence of fire-resistant trees
4. D.abundant herbivores
5. E.predominance of woody trees

Which of the following explains the term pyramid of numbers?

1. A.The number of organisms in a trophic level
2. B.The relationship between plants in different trophic levels
3. C.The number of saprophytes and parasites in a habitat
4. D.The number of predators in a habitat
5. E.Progressive decrease in the number of individuals from lower to higher trophic level

In which of the following processes is carbondioxide not given out?

1. A.Respiration in plants
2. B.Decay of organism
3. C.Burning of organic matter
4. D.Burning of fuels
5. E.During photosynthesis

Sea water taken in by a living organism can be recycled into the atmosphere through all the following processes except

1. A.transpiration
2. B.digestion
3. C.excretion
4. D.respiration
5. E.decay

Which of the following water pollutants may contain organisms that cause dysentery?

1. A.Pesticides
2. B.Sewage
3. C.Industrial wastes
4. D.Fertilizers
5. E.Crude oil

Which of the following is not an adaptation of plants or animals to desert environment?

1. A.Well developed tap root system
2. B.Small leaves with thick epidermis
3. C.Stems with spike-like leaves
4. D.Metabolic waste in the form of uric acid in some animals
5. E.Broad leaves for storage

A climax community is characterised by

1. A.a stable composition of plant and animal species
2. B.rapid changes in the composition of species
3. C.constant changes in appearance of the habitat
4. D.different species occurring at different times
5. E.gradual change in animal population

Which of the following is not a characteristic of overcrowding in plant and animal community?

1. A.Population outstripping available space
2. B.Population exceeding available food
3. C.Competition within the population
4. D.increase in primary production
5. E.Population increasing at the same rate as the birth rate

The use of predators or parasites to control pests in the farm is known as

1. A.predator control
2. B.chemical control
3. C.biological control
4. D.animal control
5. E.parasitic control

Which of the following substances cannot control the growth of harmful microoganisms?

1. A.Antibiotics
2. B.Hypertonic salt solution
3. C.Disinfectants
4. D.Isotonic sugar solution
5. E.Antiseptics

Which of the following is the underlining principle in the adoption of biological control of pests?

1. A.Knowledge of agricultural practices by the farmer
2. B.Relationship between plants and animals
3. C.The presence of poisonous chemicals in the farm
4. D.The relative population of plants and animals in the farm
5. E.The predator-prey relationship in the ecolcgical community

The following agencies are responsible for conservation in Nigeria except

1. A.Forestry Department
2. B.Nigerian Conservation Society
3. C.Games Reserve Authority
4. D.Nigerian Red Cross Society
5. E.Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The table below indicates the result of an experiment during which grains of different colours in two maize cobs were counted
Maize Cob I: White 30, Pink 60, Red 30
Maize Cob II: White 50, Pink 99, Red 49
Which of the following ratios agrees with the result?

1. A.9:3:3
2. B.1:2:1
3. C.1:3:1
4. D.2:1:1
5. E.2:3:2

One of the factors that must be considered for safe blood transfusion is

1. A.social class of the donor
2. B.age of the recipient
3. C.rhesus factors of the donor and the recipient
4. D.nationality of the donor
5. E.weight of the recipient

One of the major criticisms against Mendelian laws is that they do not recognise that

1. A.one trait is often controlled by many pairs of genes
2. B.single factor inheritance is never a reality
3. C.complete dominance is always possible
4. D.incomplete dominance is not possible
5. E.hybrids exist in living organisms

Identical twins inherit their genes from

1. A.the same ovum and different sperms
2. B.the same sperm and different ova
3. C.different sperms and many ova
4. D.the same ovum and the same sperm
5. E.many ova and many sperms

The offspring produced when pure strains interbreed is described as

1. A.dominance
2. B.phenotype
3. C.allele
4. D.genotype
5. E.hybrid

Which of the following diseases or disorders can be prevented by the application of the knowledge of heredity through marriage counselling?

1. A.Sickle cell anaemia
2. B.Haemophilia
3. C.Diabetes mellitus
4. D.Colour blindness
5. E.River blindness

Study the genetic cross below showing the inheritance of blood groups.
From the cross above which of the following F offspring does not belong to the father?

1. A.AA
2. B.AO
3. C.OB
4. D.OO
5. E.AB

Which of the following is a function of the chromosome?

1. A.Transmission of hereditary traits
2. B.Protein synthesis
3. C.Excretion
4. D.Energy production
5. E.Manufacture of enzyme

Which of the following does not illustrate adaptation to the environment?

1. A.Colour changes by chameleon
2. B.Streamline shape of fishes
3. C.Light bones in birds
4. D.Development of big muscles by a weight lifter
5. E.Possession of fins by fishes

The changing of colour by a chameleon to that of the environment is an example of

1. A.adaptive radiation
2. B.protective coloration
3. C.courtship display
4. D.display of body colour
5. E.territorial behaviour

The division of labour in social insects is an example of

1. A.structural adaptation
2. B.physiological adaptation
3. C.commensalism
4. D.behavioural adaptation
5. E.hormonal influence

The swarming especially at the beginning of the rainy season is a courtship behaviour shown by

1. A.migratory birds
2. B.pigeons
3. C.crickets
4. D.winged termites
5. E.bees

Lamarck's evolution theory could be summarised by the statement that

1. A.only the fittest can survive in a challenging environment
2. B.species that are unable to adapt become extinct
3. C.new characteristics do not arise in organisms in time of need
4. D.the changing environment imposes structural physiological and behavioural changes in organisms
5. E.in a changing and unstable environment nature rejects the weak

The property of clay soil that prevents it from supporting thick vegetation is its

1. A.possession of chemically weathered granite rocks
2. B.inability to retain much water
3. C.tendency of becoming waterlogged
4. D.porosity and low water retention ability
5. E.high capillary spaces between the soil particles

(a) (i) List two diseases each of plants and animals caused by bacteria (ii) State three ways in which bacteria are useful.
(b) State three methods by which mosquitoes can be controlled and state the reason for each method.
(c) Describe an experiment to demonstrate the presence of bacteria under the finger nails

(a) Describe the process of inhalation in man
(b) Describe briefly the process of gaseous exchange in the shoot system of flowering plants
(c) Describe an experiment to demonstrate the effect of distilled water on mammalian red blood cell.

(a) Give a brief description of the characteristics of the Northern Guinean Savanna
(b) Describe how you can estimate the density of a plant species using a quadrat.

(a) List four characters which can be transmitted from parent to offspring in man
(b) State two differences between mitosis and meiosis
(c) Explain briefly the importance of meiosis and fertilization in the reproduction of organisms
(d) In a monohybrid cross between a pure breeding plant that produces blue flowers and a pure breeding plant that produces white flower, the F₁ generation produced only blue flowers. By means of labelled cross diagrams, state the type of flowers you would expect if the F₁ generation is (i) self-pollinated (ii) cross-pollinated with a pure breeding plant that produces white flowers. Give reasons for your answers in (d) (i) and (ii)