WAEC Biology 1991 Past Questions

Practice each question, then open it to see the full details.

The cell is a functional unit of living organisms because

A.multicellular organisms are made up of cells
B.all cells in a multicellular organism function as a single cell
C.the function of a multicellular organism is the sum total of the functions of its constituent cells
D.the function of a single cell is superior to that of the multicellular organism
E.the cells of a multicelullar organism are similar in structure

(a)(i) Explain briefly the cell theory.
(ii) Name two scientists who contributed to the development of the cell theory.

(b) Make a large labelled diagram of a typical plant cell.

(c) List three ways in which a typical plant cell differs from a typical animal cell.

(d) State one difference each between Hydra and the mammals with respect to:
(i) level of organisation; (ii) symmetry; (iii) number of body layers.

The organelle which eliminate water from the body of protozoa is

A.plasma membrane
B.contractile vacuole
C.cell wall
D.protoplasm
E.nucleus

(a) Make a labelled diagram to show the internal structure of the mammalian ear.

(b) Describe the mechanism of hearing in mammals.

(c) State two ways of caring for the ear.

Spirogyra is regarded as a multicellular plant because

A.its cells are linked together by cytoplasmic strands
B.its cells are joined to form organs
C.the cylindrical cells are linked end to end
D.the filaments consist of one cell only
E.it is an algea containing large vacuoles

(a) (i) List three components of an ecosystem (ii) Describe briefly the interaction among the components named in (a) (i).

(b) List three major steps that are usually taken in studying plants and animals in community.

(c) State the importance of each of the following in a population and explain how each affects the growth of a population:
(i) competition; (ii) pathogens; (iii)water.

The mechanism of gaseous exchange in living organisms is essentially by

A.osmosis
B.inhalation
C.diffusion
D.exhalation
E.breathing

(a) (i) List five excretory organs found in living organisms.
(ii) Give one example of an organism in which each type is found.

(b) (i) state two ways in which the excretory organs of earthworm is similar to that of mammals.
(ii) Give three differences between them.

(c) Describe the mechanisms of opening and closing of the stomata.

Which of the following statement is correct about diffusion?

A.it involves movement of water molecules only
B.Molecules move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
C.differentially permeable membrane must be present for diffusion to occur
D.It involves when a solute can no longer dissolve in a solvent of only solute molecules into the Bowman's capsule
E.It occurs when a solute can no longer dissolve in a solvent

The process of anearobic respiration of yeast in sugar solution is known as

A.oxidation
B.fermentation
C.tissue respiration
D.alcohol production
E.decomposition

The following are functions of the skeleton except

A.providing support for the body
B.protection of delicate internal organs
C.maintenance of the shape of the body
D.providing attachment for muscles
E.controlling growth rate in animals

Muscles are attached to bones by means of

A.ligament
B.cartilage
C.synovial membrane
D.tendons
E.connective tissue

Which of the following tissues is not found in the stem and root of monocotyledons?

A.Xylem
B.Cambium
C.Pith
D.Cortex
E.Pericycle

The pulmonary vein carries

A.oxygenated blood from right ventricles to the lungs
B.oxygenated blood from lungs to the left auricle
C.deoxygenated blood from the lungs
D.oxygenated blood from lungs to the right auricle
E.deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs

The upper part of the trachea in mammals is called

A.palate
B.epiglottis
C.larynx
D.glottis
E.bronchus

Which of the following parts of the mammalian skin is directly is directly involved in excretion?

A.Sebaceous gland
B.Sweet gland
C.Hormy layer
D.Hair follicle
E.Malphigian layer

Kidney stone is a disease of the Kidney that result in the

A.blockage of the tubules by solid particles
B.passing out useful materials of the body fluid within the urine
C.presence of large quantity of water in urine
D.passing out hormones in the urine
E.prevention of urine production

The following are the activities of the liver except

A.production of heat
B.manufacture of bile
C.detoxication of alcohol and drugs
D.maintenance of osmotic balance
E.deamination of excess nitrogenous substance

Infective hepatitis is a disease of the

A.heart
B.kidney
C.liver
D.stomach
E.pancreas

The pituitary is regarded as the master gland because

A.it is locatd in the brain
B.its secretion are the most numerous
C.its secretion control other endocrine glands
D.it is the biggest endocrine gland
E.it controls the activities of the brain

Growing radicles of seddlings are

A.negatively phototropic
B.positively phototropic
C.negatively geotropic
D.negatively hydrotropic
E.positively phototactic

Over-secretion of thyroxin is likely to lead to

A.thinness in body
B.sluggishness
C.cretinism in infant
D.reduced metabolism
E.dwarfism

If a germinating seed is attached horizontally on a revolving klinostat, what will be the effect of the seedling after three days? The

A.plumule will curve vertically upward while the radicle will curve towards the ground
B.plumule and radicle will not show any curvature
C.radicle will curve towards the ground while the plumule will not show any curvature
D.plumule will curve vertically upward while the radicle will not show any curvature
E.plumule and radicle will curve towards the ground

The human skin is regarded as a sense organ because it

A.separates the body from the outside world
B.protects the body from cold and heat
C.regulates the water content of the body
D.has an outer layer of dead cells
E.has nerve endings

The part of the brain responsible for the control the controls of voluntary movement and interpretation of sensation is the

A.cerebrum
B.cerebellum
C.optic lobe
D.medulla oblongata
E.olfactory lobe

Which part of the ear is responsible for the maintenance of balance?

A.Ossicles
B.Tympanic membrane
C.Eustachian tube
D.semicircular canals
E.Cochlea

Which of the following is not part of the female reproductive system?

A.Ovary
B.Seminal vessicles
C.Uterus
D.Vagina
E.Fallopian tube

Which of the following substance from the mother's blood diffuse through the placenta into the blood vessels of the feotus?

A.Carbon dioxide and oxygen
B.Glycogen and starch
C.Urea and carbon dioxide
D.Glucose and oxygen
E.Digested food and carbon dioxide

Which of the following is not seen in the transverse section of a young monocotyledonous stem?

A.Parenchyma
B.Phloem
C.Xylem
D.Cambium
E.Sclerenchyma

The bicuspid valve is located between

A.left auricle and left ventricle
B.right auricle and right ventricle
C.left and right ventricle
D.left and right auricle
E.left auricle and right ventricle

During which o the following processes is food for animals produced?

A.Photosynthesis
B.Respiration
C.Nutrition
D.Digestion
E.Transportation

Pellagra can be prevented by taking food rich in

A.vitamin A
B.vitamin B
C.Vitamin D
D.calcium
E.iodine

In testing for a reducing sugar, the food substance is usually warmed with

A.sulphuric acid
B.million's reagent
C.sudan III
D.Benedicts's solution

Which of the following adapts the aorta to the high pressure of the blood from the heart?

A.Thin walls
B.Fragile membrane
C.Thick elastic walls
D.stiff walls
E.Narrow lumen

The part of the alimentary system of a bird where grinding of maize occurs is the

A.crop
B.stomach
C.gizzard
D.cloaca
E.rectum

Natality is a factor affecting population density because it involves

A.increase in population due to immigration
B.increase in population due to emigration
C.the number of mature females in the population
D.the number of females in the population
E.the number of all young ones produced in the population

The female part of a flower consist of the

A.stigma, style and ovary
B.petals, sepals and anthers
C.stigma, sepals and anthers
D.filaments, style and pollen grain
E.sepals, stigma and pollen grain

Puddles,ponds, rivers, lakes, seas and ocean are grouped together as

A.ecosystem
B.biosphere
C.terrestrial habitat
D.marine habitat
E.aquatic habitat

Which of the following would be the primary producer in a food chain?

A.Saprophytes
B.Herbivores
C.Carnivores
D.Green plants
E.Parasites

fewer number of trees is characteristic of the Savanna zones of Nigeria because

A.there is too much sunlight
B.there is limited amount of rainfall
C.they are usually exposed to grazing animals
D.they are covered by high mountains
E.the farmers always engage in bush-burning

The number of individuals in a habitat in relation to the unit space available to each organism is referred to as the

A.birth rate
B.density
C.mortality
D.frequency
E.dispersion

which of the following will be the effect of waterlogged top soil on the roots of plants?

A.the waterlogged soil will stimulate rapid growth of roots
B.there will be abundant supply of air for the growth of roots
C.The roots will absorb water i rapidly
D.There willl be an accumulation of plant nutrients
E.the roots will be starved of air

Which of the following is the unit of transmission of hereditary traits in living organisms

A.Nucleus
B.Nucleolus
C.Gametes
D.Genes
E.Chromosomes

The role of dead organic matter in the soil is to

A.make the soil black
B.increase the mineral salt content
C.provide food for all living organisms
D.increase the acidity of soil
E.make the soil more porous

Species do not change in order to survive. The environment determines which organism survives to reproduce. These statements

A.explains theory of acquired characters
B.supports Jean Lamarck's theory of use and disuse
C.support the idea of survival of the fittest
D.are refuted by fossil record
E.imply that organisms modify their environment in order to survive

Which of the following may not contribute to environmental pollution?

A.Solar energy radiation
B.Industrial waste
C.Waste disposal
D.Smoke
E.Nuclear power plant

Succession is best described as

A.a process whereby organisms systematically colonize a barren habitat until stable community is formed
B.a process whereby plant occupy a barren habitat until a suitable habitat is formed
C.a process whereby animals occupy a barren habitat until a suitable habitat is formed
D.the subsequent taking over of the land through emigration or dispersal of seeds
E.the replacement of weaker plants and animals by stronger ones

Predators are beneficial in pest control because they

A.are natural enemies of small mammals
B.devour farm animals
C.feed on pests of crops
D.prey on game animal
E.compete for food with the pests

I.Plasmodium II. Vibro Choleroe III. Gonococcus sp IV. Poliomyelitis virus V. Syphilis bacteria
which of the following organism are transmitted by houseflies?

A.I and II only
B.II and V only
C.III and IV only
D.II and IV only
E.III and V only

The practice of warming soup regularly as it concerns food preservation is essentially to

A.retain the taste
B.help to break down cellulose
C.remove excess water
D.kill the bacteria in it
E.raise the temperature