WAEC Biology 2022 past questions and answers

Which of the following statements about living things is correct?

1. A.Animals respire using carbon (IV) oxide as a raw material
2. B.Growth in plants is limited after some time
3. C.Most plants respond to stimulus slowly
4. D.Higher animals can reproduce asexually

Organ level of organization in living things is found in

1. A.waterleaf plant
2. B.virus particle
3. C.kidney
4. D.spermatozoon

Diagrams X and Y are illustrations of transverse sections of a part of plants.
The part responsible for conducting water and dissolved mineral salts from the soil to the leaves is labelled

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

Diagrams X and Y are illustrations of transverse sections of a part of plants.
The part labelled II is the

1. A.pith
2. B.xylem
3. C.phloem
4. D.endodermis

The organelles in cells which are also referred to as suicidal bags are the

1. A.mitochondria
2. B.lysosomes
3. C.ribosomes
4. D.nuclei

The process that brings about the shrinking of a Spirogyra cell when placed in a strong solution is

1. A.osmosis
2. B.autolysis
3. C.plasmolysis
4. D.diffusion

The region of a plant stem in which cells divide to increase its diameter is the

1. A.cambium
2. B.phloem
3. C.xylem
4. D.collenchyma

The total number of caudal vertebrae in animals X and Y is 4 and 27 respectively. The animals are likely to be

1. A.fish and human
2. B.toad and rat
3. C.toad and fish
4. D.humans and rat

Use the following processes to answer this question.
I. Ribs move upward and outward
II. Diaphragm relaxes
III. Volume of thorax increases
IV. Air is forced out of the lungs
Which of the processes take place during inspiration?

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

Use the following processes to answer this question.
I. Ribs move upward and outward
II. Diaphragm relaxes
III. Volume of thorax increases
IV. Air is forced out of the lungs
Which of the processes is a direct result of contraction of the intercostal muscles?

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

The process by which the amount of water and solutes in the blood are controlled is known as

1. A.haemolysis
2. B.diffusion
3. C.turgidity
4. D.osmoregulation

The table shows the effect of hormones I, II, III and IV on some parts of the human body (✓ = effect, X = no effect):
Hormone I: heart ✓, digestive system ✓, kidney ✓, uterus ✓
Hormone II: heart X, digestive system X, kidney ✓, uterus X
Hormone III: heart X, digestive system X, kidney X, uterus ✓
Hormone IV: heart X, digestive system ✓, kidney X, uterus X
Which of the following hormones are I, II, III and IV respectively?

1. A.ADH, Glucagon, Oestrogen, Adrenaline
2. B.Adrenaline, Glucagon, Oestrogen, ADH
3. C.Glucagon, ADH, Oestrogen, Adrenaline
4. D.Adrenaline, ADH, Oestrogen, Glucagon

The table shows the effect of hormones I, II, III and IV on some parts of the human body (✓ = effect, X = no effect):
Hormone I: heart ✓, digestive system ✓, kidney ✓, uterus ✓
Hormone II: heart X, digestive system X, kidney ✓, uterus X
Hormone III: heart X, digestive system X, kidney X, uterus ✓
Hormone IV: heart X, digestive system ✓, kidney X, uterus X
The hormone responsible for anxiety is

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

The diagram is an illustration of some parts of a mammalian ear.
The parts labelled I are the

1. A.semi circular canals
2. B.ossicles
3. C.cochlea
4. D.external auditory meatus

The diagram is an illustration of some parts of a mammalian ear.
Which of the parts are correctly grouped?
A. Inner ear: I, IV; Middle ear: III; Outer ear: II
B. Inner ear: III; Middle ear: II, IV; Outer ear: I
C. Inner ear: I; Middle ear: II; Outer ear: III, IV
D. Inner ear: II; Middle ear: I, III; Outer ear: IV

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

The diagram is an illustration of some parts of a mammalian ear.
The middle ear is connected to the pharynx by the part labelled

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

The diagrams are illustrations of two different cells (P and Q) involved in a biological process in mammals.
Which parts of P and Q fuse to complete the biological process?

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

The diagrams are illustrations of two different cells (P and Q) involved in a biological process in mammals.
Which of the following statements about P and Q is correct?

1. A.Both cells are structures for asexual reproduction
2. B.Both cells normally belong to the same individual
3. C.Both cells are found in plants
4. D.The union of both cells gives rise to a new mammal

The diagrams are illustrations of two different cells (P and Q) involved in a biological process in mammals.
If the number of chromosomes in the skin cells of mammals is 46, how many chromosomes would be found in P and Q respectively?

1. A.23 and 23
2. B.23 and 46
3. C.46 and 23
4. D.46 and 46

In which of the following structures is simple sugar produced?

1. A.Vacuole
2. B.Cytoplasm
3. C.Chloroplast
4. D.Cell wall

An evidence of the occurrence of photosynthesis in an experiment is the

1. A.release of carbon(IV) oxide
2. B.release of oxygen
3. C.formation of water molecules
4. D.formation and release of fructose

The major sources of vitamin A are

1. A.egg yolk, carrot and palm oil
2. B.mango, pawpaw and eggs
3. C.sorghum, soya bean and liver
4. D.rice bran, green vegetables and milk

Diagram J is a protease while diagrams K, L, M and N are food substances.
Which of the illustrated food substances would form a reaction with protease J?

1. A.K
2. B.L
3. C.M
4. D.N

Diagram J is a protease while diagrams K, L, M and N are food substances.
Protease J would react with the particular illustrated substance because enzymes

1. A.are denatured at a high frequency
2. B.are specific in their action
3. C.remain unchanged after a reaction
4. D.speed up the rate of chemical reaction

Diagram J is a protease while diagrams K, L, M and N are food substances.
After a reaction between protease J and the food substance, the end-product would be

1. A.fatty acids
2. B.glucose
3. C.amino acids
4. D.water

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

1. A.composition 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

Which of the following practices will not maintain soil fertility?

1. A.Preventing soil erosion
2. B.Bush fallowing
3. C.Leaving the land bare
4. D.Planting cover crops

A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular place is known as

1. A.colony
2. B.community
3. C.ecosystem
4. D.population

The diagram is an illustration of an experiment on sedimentation of soil.
The organic component of the soil is labelled

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

The diagram is an illustration of an experiment on sedimentation of soil.
The part labelled IV is

1. A.silt
2. B.sand
3. C.humus
4. D.clay

Which of the following pyramids is not used in ecology? Pyramid of

1. A.energy
2. B.numbers
3. C.biomass
4. D.organisms

Study the food chain J → K → L → M → N.
Organism J is normally sustained by energy from

1. A.green plants
2. B.carbohydrates
3. C.organism K
4. D.sunlight

Study the food chain J → K → L → M → N.
Which of the following statements about organism L is correct? It

1. A.feeds on organism M
2. B.is a primary consumer
3. C.is the producer
4. D.is a secondary consumer

Study the food chain J → K → L → M → N.
The position occupied by each of organisms J, K, L, M and N in the food chain is known as the

1. A.energy level
2. B.trophic level
3. C.food web
4. D.pyramid of numbers

The conservation of natural resources is enhanced by the following practices except

1. A.controlling farming activities
2. B.protecting endangered species
3. C.poaching in game reserves
4. D.establishing parks and gardens

The burning of farmlands should be discouraged because it

1. A.destroys the organic components of the soil
2. B.increases the population of wild animals on the farm
3. C.increases the dormancy period of some seeds
4. D.destroys some plant pests

The use of a lighter instead of match sticks is a way of conserving

1. A.petroleum
2. B.forest
3. C.water
4. D.wildlife

An accident victim was successfully transfused with blood from the father whose blood group is AB. The blood group of the accident victim is

1. A.B
2. B.O
3. C.AB
4. D.A

Which of the following traits in humans is an example of physiological variation?

1. A.Skin colour
2. B.Fingerprint
3. C.Tongue rolling
4. D.Height

Individuals belonging to blood group O are universal donors because

1. A.antigens are absent in their blood cells
2. B.members of the group constitute the highest number of humans
3. C.there are no antibodies in their blood plasma
4. D.the antigens in their blood cells are easily destroyed

Two tall plants were crossed and all the F₁ plants were tall. When the F₁ plants were selfed, some of the F₂ plants were tall while others were short. What are the possible genotypes of the original plants?

1. A.Tt and tt
2. B.TT and TT
3. C.tt and tt
4. D.TT and Tt

Which of the following statements best describes a test cross? It is

1. A.to determine the genotype of an individual whose phenotype is known
2. B.to determine the phenotype of an individual whose genotype is known
3. C.between the progeny of parents to ascertain their external expressions
4. D.between two homozygous recessive individuals to confirm the genotypes of the offspring

Which of the following statements about sex-linked traits is not correct?

1. A.Males inherit sex-linked traits from their fathers
2. B.Sex-linked traits are more common in males
3. C.Females can be carriers because they can be heterozygous for the trait
4. D.Males are never carriers since they only receive one sex chromosome

When two carriers of sickle cell anaemia produce an offspring, the probability of the offspring being a Sickler is

1. A.¾
2. B.¼
3. C.½
4. D.⅔

Which of the following organisms exhibits adaptive colouration?

1. A.Rabbit
2. B.Chameleon
3. C.Mouse
4. D.Dog

Which of the following sequences is the correct evolutionary trend in organisms?

1. A.Algae → Liverwort → Ferns → Angiosperms
2. B.Liverwort → Angiosperms → Ferns → Algae
3. C.Angiosperms → Algae → Ferns → Liverwort
4. D.Ferns → Liverwort → Angiosperms → Algae

(a)(i) What is a cell? (ii) Name three scientists that are associated with the discovery of the cell.
(b)(i) Make a diagram, 6 cm to 8 cm long of a plant cell and label only the organelle responsible for cell reproduction.
(ii) Name one blood cell in humans that does not have the organelle labelled in 1(b)(i).
(iii) What is the biological implication of the cell named in 1(b)(ii) not possessing the organelle responsible for cell reproduction?
(c) List six organelles found in a plant cell.

(a) Complete the table below by ticking (✓) the appropriate group to which each of the listed elements required by plants belongs.
Elements: Hydrogen, Copper, Magnesium, Zinc, Phosphorus, Manganese, Boron, Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen
Groups: Microelement | Macroelement
(b) State: (i) three differences between the dentition of a herbivore and a carnivore; (ii) four differences between the dentition of a human and a goat.
(c) What are milk teeth?

(a)(i) What is an ecological niche? (ii) State five roles played by a mango tree in its ecological niche.
(b)(i) State two reasons why ecologists use sampling techniques in population studies. (ii) State four examples of sampling techniques used in the population studies.
(c) Name four types of fingerprints in humans.
(d)(i) Name the plant used by Gregor Mendel in his experiment. (ii) State two reasons why the plant named in 3(d)(i) was used.

(a)(i) What are conservation laws? (ii) State three conservation laws.
(b)(i) State two reasons why animals are poached. (ii) Name five animals that are commonly poached.
(c) State four effects of excessive use of the forest.
(d) Explain briefly the following terms: (i) blood transfusion; (ii) antigen.

(a)(i) State three differences between the alimentary canals of earthworm and cockroach. (ii) State three similarities between the alimentary canals of earthworm and cockroach.
(b) The diagram is an illustration of a biological cycle. Study it and answer questions 5(b)(i) to 5(b)(iii).
(i) Name the biological cycle. (ii) Explain briefly three roles played by plants and animals in the cycle. (iii) Name the processes that occur in X, Y and Z.
(c) Complete the table below:
Organ associated with excretion in humans | Three diseases each that affect the organ
(i) ________ | ________
(ii) ________ | ________
(d)(i) What is decay of organic matter? (ii) Name two groups of organisms that cause decay of organic matter. (iii) State one other factor that causes decay. (iv) Name the biological cycle that involves decay.
(e) Explain briefly the mode of nutrition in carnivorous plants.