WAEC Biology 1996 past questions and answers

Which of the following levels of organisation in living things is in the correct sequence, starting from the most complex to the simplest?

1. A.Tissue → cell → organ → system
2. B.System → organ → tissue → cell
3. C.Cell → tissue → system → organ
4. D.Cell → tissue → organ → system
5. E.Organ → system → tissue → cell

Which of the following is not a cell organelle?

1. A.Golgi body
2. B.Nucleus
3. C.Fat droplets
4. D.Ribosome
5. E.Endoplasmic reticulum

One of the differences between plants and animals is that

1. A.growth is indefinite in animals but definite in plants
2. B.nutrition is autotrophic in plants but holophytic in animals
3. C.in plants there are excretory systems but in animals waste products are stored away
4. D.plants react slowly to external stimuli while animals react more quickly
5. E.respiration takes place in animals but does not take place in plants

Which of the following are the final products of aerobic respiration?

1. A.Water, carbondioxide and energy
2. B.Pyruvic acid, carbondioxide and water
3. C.Glucose, energy and urea
4. D.Energy and carbondioxide
5. E.Lactic acid, water and carbondioxide

Movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a weaker solution to a stronger solution is known as

1. A.transpiration
2. B.diffusion
3. C.active transport
4. D.plasmolysis
5. E.osmosis

In which of the following structures will cells undergoing meiosis be seen?

1. A.At the apices of stem and root
2. B.In the cortex of the stem
3. C.In the pallisade mesophyll of the leaf
4. D.In the ovary of a flower
5. E.In the root of a seedling

Which of these instruments can be used to perform an experiment on geotropism?

1. A.Potometer
2. B.Cup anemometer
3. C.Klinostat
4. D.Kymograph
5. E.Sphygmomanometer

The thoracic vertebra differs from all the other vertebrae by the possession of

1. A.long neural spine
2. B.odontoid process
3. C.vertebraterial canal
4. D.Large centrum
5. E.transverse processes

Study the list below and use it to answer questions 10-12
The vertebral column of mammals consists of the following:
I. Lumbar vertebrae II. Thoracic vertebrae III. Caudal vertebrae IV. Cervical vertebrae V. Sacral vertebrae.
Which of the following are found immediately next to the skull?

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

The vertebral column of mammals consists of the following:
I. Lumbar vertebrae II. Thoracic vertebrae III. Caudal vertebrae IV. Cervical vertebrae V. Sacral vertebrae.
Which of the following articulates with the ribs?

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

The vertebral column of mammals consists of the following:
I. Lumbar vertebrae II. Thoracic vertebrae III. Caudal vertebrae IV. Cervical vertebrae V. Sacral vertebrae.
Which of the following articulates with the pelvic girdle?

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

Which of the following is more concentrated in the blood within the renal artery than the blood within the renal vein?

1. A.Urea
2. B.Red blood cells
3. C.Glucose
4. D.Protein
5. E.White blood cells

Which of the following statements about the lymphatic system is not correct?

1. A.The lymph vessels are always larger in size than the arteries
2. B.The flow of lymph is assisted by general muscular movement
3. C.Lymph flows only in one direction due to the presence of valves
4. D.Lymph is emptied into the blood circulatory system through a vein
5. E.Lymph node becomes swollen during serious infections

In which of the following groups is nephridium found?

1. A.Crustaceans
2. B.Reptiles
3. C.Birds
4. D.Mammals
5. E.Annelids

The maintenance of a constant internal environment of an organism is known as

1. A.homeostasis
2. B.homeorhesis
3. C.turgidity
4. D.homoiothermy
5. E.diuresis

Which of the following is the effect of continuous tillage on an ecological system?

1. A.Addition of more humus to the soil
2. B.Decrease in productivity
3. C.Increase in yield
4. D.Improved fertility
5. E.Prevention of erosion

The most sensitive part of the retina is called

1. A.blindspot
2. B.conjuctiva
3. C.fovea centralis
4. D.choroid coat
5. E.sclerotic coat

Which of the following pairs consists of gametes?

1. A.Ova and spermatozoa
2. B.Spores and sporangium
3. C.Flowers and pollen grains
4. D.Testes and ovaries
5. E.Gametophyte and sporophyte

The above is the drawing of a mammalian spermatozoan. Use it to answer questions 20 to 22
Which of the labelled structures is the nucleus?

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

Use the drawing of a mammalian spermatozoan (parts labelled I to V).
Which of the following labelled structures secretes enzymes which facilitate penetration of the egg?

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

Use the drawing of a mammalian spermatozoan (parts labelled I to V).
Which of the following labelled structures is similar to the locomotory structure in Euglena?

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

Study the diagrams below and use them to answer questions 23 to 25
The part labelled I in A represents the

1. A.root
2. B.radicle
3. C.hypocotyl
4. D.shoot
5. E.stem

Study the diagrams of seedlings A and B (parts labelled I and II).
The part labelled II represents the

1. A.root
2. B.epicotyl
3. C.hypocotyl
4. D.cotyledon
5. E.hilum

Study the diagrams of seedlings A and B (parts labelled I and II).
What is the importance of the part labelled II to the seedling? It

1. A.protects the foliage leaves
2. B.grows into the first foliage leaves
3. C.later develops into the fruit
4. D.provides the seedling with food
5. E.serves as the water reservoir for the seedling

In grasshopper/cockroach digestion starts from the

1. A.oesophagus
2. B.crop
3. C.gizzard
4. D.midgut
5. E.mouth

In a water culture experiment, the culture solution in a transparent beaker turned green. What precaution should have been taken to prevent the culture solution from turning green?

1. A.Changing the culture solution regularly
2. B.Increasing the number of times the culture is aerated
3. C.Covering the transparent beaker with black cloth
4. D.Adding warm alcohol to bleach the green colour
5. E.Sterilizing the beaker in a hot oven before use

Which of the following is responsible for the conversion of nitrites to nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

1. A.Denitrifying bacteria
2. B.Nitrifying bacteria
3. C.Lightening
4. D.Fungi
5. E.Brown algae

Hydra captures small crustaceans by means of

1. A.pseudopodia
2. B.musculo-epithelial cells
3. C.tentacles
4. D.enteron
5. E.ectoderm

Which of the following processes is not due to interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem?

1. A.Soil nutrient depletion
2. B.Condensation
3. C.Decomposition
4. D.Osmosis
5. E.Photosynthesis

The entire habits and habitat of an organism can be described as its

1. A.ecological community
2. B.ecological niche
3. C.habitat factor
4. D.biotic factor
5. E.abiotic factor

Which of these is not a true characteristic of the tropical rain forest?

1. A.Vegetation consists predominantly of tall trees, with thick canopy
2. B.Forest is rich in epipphysis and climbers
3. C.Annual rainfall is less than 100 cm
4. D.Interior has low light intensity, high humidity and damp floor
5. E.Fruits of trees are often large-sized and are generally without adaptation to wind dispersal

The frequency of andropogon in a grass lawn is 90 100. Throws were made with 1 meter square quadrat. What is the density of andropogon in the field?

1. A.0.09 per m²
2. B.090 per m²
3. C.9.0 per m²
4. D.90 per m²
5. E.900 per m²

Which of the following is the correct method of collecting soil organism?

1. A.Heating the soil sample in an oven
2. B.Aerating the soil sample
3. C.Refrigerating the soil for some hours
4. D.Pouring hot water on the soil to enable the organism float
5. E.Placing a lighted electric bulb over soil in a funnel

Which of these groups of organisms is responsible for capturing energy for the biotic community?

1. A.Decompcsers
2. B.Omnivores
3. C.Consumers
4. D.Producers
5. E.Detritus feeders

The following are pathways of energy in the biosphere:
I. Heat energy is lost from body metabolism to the surrounding air II. Energy passes to decomposers and parasites III. Energy is transferred to the next higher level in a food chain IV. Energy is also passed by conduction to clothing and other objects
Use the pathways to answer questions 36 and 37
Which pathway directly leads to transfer of useful energy within a biological community?

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

The following are pathways of energy in the biosphere:
I. Heat energy is lost from body metabolism to the surrounding air II. Energy passes to decomposers and parasites III. Energy is transferred to the next higher level in a food chain IV. Energy is also passed by conduction to clothing and other objects
Which of the following pathways will energy follow to reach plasmodium in the red blood cells?

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

What type of relationship exists in the large intestine of the sheep, between bacteria and the sheep?

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

The Tulgren's funnel is used to

1. A.extract minute soil organisms
2. B.measure the amount of rainfall
3. C.collect water from habitats
4. D.pour liquid inot containers with narrow mouth
5. E.measure the volume of heavy liquids

Which of the following is not an aquatic habitat?

1. A.Estuaries
2. B.Ponds
3. C.Rainforest
4. D.Swamp
5. E.Salt lake

Which of these materials is not required for insect collection in an ecological field-trip?

1. A.Pooter
2. B.Secchi disc
3. C.Spreading board
4. D.Jar containing alcohol
5. E.Sweep net

The factors which determine the type of vegetation a particular habitat will support are related to the following except

1. A.nature of the soil particles
2. B.amount of rainfall
3. C.mineral content of the soil
4. D.farming activities
5. E.depth of the water-table

Which of the following statements is not true of population?

1. A.Members of a population may be of the same species
2. B.Members of a population may be of the same species but do not interbreed
3. C.Size of a population may be limited by space
4. D.Some species can form another population elsewhere
5. E.Members of a population must co-exist

Which of the following is an abiotic factor which affects a population?

1. A.Predator
2. B.Parasite
3. C.Consumer
4. D.Producer
5. E.Temperature

One of the ecological conditions which favour the spread of malaria is

1. A.improper disposal of decaying organic matter
2. B.clearing bushes around dwelling houses
3. C.presence of water weeds
4. D.presence of stagnant water in ponds
5. E.improper disposal of sewage into the sea

Which of the following resources is non-renewable?

1. A.Livestock
2. B.Minerals
3. C.Forest
4. D.Soil
5. E.Air

The following are the effects of overgrazing except

1. A.depletion of useful fodder crops
2. B.Soil and wind erosion of pastureland
3. C.epidermic of cattle diseases
4. D.migration of herdsmen
5. E.scarcity of good pastureland

The need for conservation incudes the following except to

1. A.keep natural resources for future generations
2. B.preserve them for scientific and recreational purposes
3. C.maximise the use of natural resources
4. D.make sure the natural resources are not used
5. E.ensure that everybody benefits from the natural resources

Which of these is not a hereditary variation?

1. A.Infant paralysis
2. B.Blood group
3. C.Sickle cell
4. D.Shape of face and nose
5. E.Colour of hair

Which of these statements is correct?

1. A.Recombination at fertilization does not occur between two homologous chromosome
2. B.In homologous chromosome two genes very close to each other are more likely to form recombinants at meiotic prophase I
3. C.A dominant gene masks the presence of a recessive gene
4. D.Meiosis leads to the formation of daughter cells with diploid chromosome number
5. E.Mitosis increases variation within a population

One of Mendel's experiments was repeated by crossing a red variety of pepper with that of a yellow variety which produced all red offspring. The red offspring were then self pollinated and these produced both red and yellow pepper. The yellow colour can be said to be

1. A.dominant to red
2. B.recessive to red
3. C.homozygous to red
4. D.heterozygous to red
5. E.linked to red

Which of the following statements is not true about chromosomes?

1. A.Each chromosome is made up of two chromatids
2. B.Body cells have diploid numbers of chromosomes
3. C.Homologous chromosomes do not occur in pairs naturally
4. D.The sex cells have haploid number of chromosomes
5. E.Chromosomes have many tranverse bands

Cross-breeding is a way of

1. A.developing superior varieties of plants only
2. B.developing superior varieties of animals only
3. C.developing disease-resistant varieties only
4. D.encouraging random reproduction in agriculture
5. E.applying the principles of heredity in agriculture

Which of the following is a social insect?

1. A.Mosquito
2. B.Butterfly
3. C.Honey bee
4. D.Grasshopper
5. E.Cockroach

The phenomenon whereby some organisms get established in an environment after struggling for existence by taking advantage of some special features possessed by the organism is called

1. A.partial selection
2. B.artificial selection
3. C.natural selection
4. D.mutation
5. E.competition

The statements below are about evolution of species
I. Members of a species vary II. Organisms produce many offspring III. The mechanism of evolution is inheritance of acquired characters IV. Changes in the phenotype is brought about by the individual itself
Which of the statement(s) is/are related to the Darwin's theory of evolution?

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

Which of the following fields of study may not yield strong evidence of evolution?

1. A.Fossil
2. B.Histology
3. C.Ecology
4. D.Genetics
5. E.Cytology

(a) State two advantages of complex structural organisation in higher organisms
(b) (i) List two differences between colonial organisms and filamentous organisms (ii) Give one example each of a colonial organism and a filamentous organism
(c) Make a labelled diagram 10-12cm long to show the structure of a named filamentous alga.

(a) Describe the process of osmoregulation in (i) a named unicellular organism (ii) man
(b) Describe how the mammalian skin can react to regulate the body temperature in a hot room

(a) What is meant by competition
(b) Explain briefly the terms (i) inter-species competition (ii) intra-species competition
(c) Explain two ways each by which the toad/frog is structurally adapted to the following: (i) obtaining food; (ii) protection; (iii) movement.

(a) List three transmittable characters in (i) human beings (ii) plants
(b) State three ways in which genetics has contributed to improvement of agriculture
(c) A homozygous tall parent was crossed with a homozygous short parent. The offspring in F₁ generation were all tall. An offspring of F₁ generation was then crossed with another homozygous short individual (i) Illustrate the crosses with suitable diagrams (ii) What is the phenotypic ratio of offspring in the F₂ generation? (iii) What is the genotypic ratio of offspring in the F₂ generation?
(d) What is the probability that an individual that has genotype Tt will produce a gamete with T gene? Briefly explain your answer.