WAEC Biology 2010 Past Questions

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Which if the following organisms is not classified as an animal?

A.Amoeba
B.Paramecium
C.Euglena
D.Obelia

(a) Write the chemical equation for each of the following processes:
(i) aerobic respiration
(ii) anaerobic respiration in plants
(iii) anaerobic respiration in animals.

(b) State four functions which the liver of a patient suffering from cancer of the liver will not be able to perform.

(c) Make a diagram 8 -10 cm long of a flame cell and label fully.

(d) Name one appropriate hormone each responsible for the following conditions in plants:
(i) ripening of fruits
(ii) breaking dormancy in seeds
(iii) weed control
(iv) leaf fall.

An organism that operates at the cellular level of organization, carries out its physiological activities by
using its

A.cell membrane
B.organelles
C.small size
D.cytoplasm

(a)(i) Name two types of germination of seeds giving one example of each type.
(ii) Describe a simple experiment to demonstrate that oxygen, water and warmth are necessary for germination of seeds.

(b) State two distinguishing features each of
(i) epiphytes
(ii) parasites

(c) Give two examples o parasitic plants.

The organelle which eliminates water from the body of a protozoan is the

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

(a) Write short notes on each of the following:
(i) ecological niche
(ii) population density
(iii) climax continually

(b) Describe briefly the interactions between abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem.

Which of the following cell types has the least number of mitochondria?

A.Cardiac cells of the heart
B.Cells of the cornified layer
C.Muscle cells of the bladder
D.Muscle cells of the diaphragm

(a) List four characteristics which can be genetically transmitted in humans.

(b)(i) Name two sites eac• in plants and animals where meiosis occurs.
(ii) State two differences between meiosis and mitosis

(c) A woman with blood group 'A' (heterozygous) claimed that her son who has blood group '0' was fathered by Mr. James who has blood group 'A' (homozygous). With the aid of suitable genetic diagrams
(i) prove or disprove the woman's claim
(ii) give reasons to support your answer.

A typical plant cell is mainly distinguished from an animal cell by the possession of

A.chloroplast and nucleus
B.cell wall and cytoplasm
C.chloroplast and cell wall
D.cell wall and mitochondrion

(a)(i) What is placentation?
(ii) Name two organs associated with the human placenta.

(b) State five functions of the human placenta.

(c) Write short notes on the following:
(i) viviparity
(ii) territoriality
(iii) seasonal migration

Which of the following characteristics do fungi share in common with animals?

A.Presence of digestive tract
B.Movement from one place to another
C.Storage of carbohydrates as glycogen
D.Movement of centrioles during cell division

(a) Explain the term adaptation in relation to the mode of life of an organism.

(b) Explain how each of the following structures adapt the organisms that possess them to their modes of life:
(i) succulent leaves in Aloe sp
(ii) succulent stems and reduced leaves in cactus plants
(iii) short, strong beaks in fowls
(iv) counter shading in fish
(v) tiny scale leaves on needle-like branches of pine trees.

(c)(i) What is population?
(ii) State five effects of overpopulation on a community.

Which of the following processes involves diffusion?

A.Opening and closing of stomatal pores
B.Turgidity of herbaceous plants
C.Absorption of water through the root hairs
D.Absorption of digested food into the villi

The mechanism of opening and closing of stomata in plants is based on

A.turgidity and diffusion
B.turgidity and flaccidity
C.osmosis and diffusion
D.diffusion and flaccidity

In cellular respiration energy is made available to organisms by

A.removal of a phosphate group from ADR
B.breaking off a phosphate group from ATP
C.adding a phosphate group to glucose
D.breaking off a hydrogen ion from NADPH

Excretion in Paramecium sp. is by diffusion because

A.its habitat is water and moist places
B.it has simple, small and few internal organs
C.it has a large surface area to volume ratio.
D.it has a large efficient meganucleus.

The axial skeleton is composed of the

A.skull and vertebral column
B.limbs and girdles
C.atlas and axis.
D.radius and ulna

The inorganic components of bone consist of

A.magnesium, sodium and calcium
B.magnesium, phosphorus and calcium
C.sodium, phosphorus and calcium,
D.potassium, magnesium and calcium

A pulse is best described as

A.contraction of arteries to let out blood.
B.contraction of veins to allow blood into them
C.dilation of arteries to accommodate blood rushing through.
D.pumping action of the heart to move blood round the body.

The following characteristics are associated with the mammalian lungs except

A.large surface area
B.expandable lungs
C.moist surface
D.highly vascularized

The excretory system in mammals consists of the following parts except

A.two kidneys
B.two ureters
C.two bladders
D.one urethra

The organ that receives reduced flow of blood during vigorous exercise is the

A.brain
B.heart
C.lung
D.limb

The ear pinna is strengthened by

A.blood pressure.
B.cartilage
C.bone
D.turgor pressure

The relationship between the retina and the brain is similar to that between the

A.cochlea and the auditory nerve
B.cochlea and the brain.
C.cochlea and the semi-circular canals
D.eardrum and the brain

Which of the following statements about the development of the foetus is not correct?

A.The circulatory system of the foetus is directly connected to the maternal blood vessels
B.The foetus depends on the mothers blood for its food and oxygen
C.The foetus is surrounded by a water sac
D.Food and oxygen are carried across the placenta to the embryo’s blood

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The parts that supply food and water to the developing embryo are labelled

A.I and II
B.III and V.
C.V and VI
D.I and III

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The part labelled III is the

A.albumen
B.chalaza
C.yolk
D.air space

Which of the following statements ls true about transpiration? It is the

A.loss of water in the form of vapour from the surface of the’ leaf
B.loss of water in the form of vapour from the surface of the root
C.absorption of water in the form of vapour from the body of the pint
D.movement of water through the body of the plant.

Transportation of water in the xylem tissue involves the following except

A.root pressure
B.capillary action
C.transpiration pull
D.translocation

The following are the major reasons why the butterfly lays eggs under the surface of a leaf except to

A.shade the eggs from the direct rays of the sun.
B.protect the eggs from predators
C.protect the eggs from being washed away by rain drops
D.camouflage the eggs

In which of the following organic compounds is the hydrogen-oxygen ratio equal to 2:1?

A.Proteins
B.Carbohydrates
C.Lipids
D.Vitamins

A man suffering from obesity must avoid meals containing

A.margarine and butter
B.rice and beans
C.carrots and oranges
D.beef and fish

In testing for starch in a leaf, the leaf is first boiled in water for about a minute so that the

A.cell walls are hardened
B.cells are killed
C.chlorophyll is dissolved out
D.iodine will penetrate

Which of the following food substances is incorrectly linked to its enzyme?

A.Protein - trypsin
B.Fat - lipase
C.Sucrose - pepsin
D.Starch - amylase

Which of the following pH values is the best for the action of the enzymes - renin and pepsin in the
stomach?

A.pH2
B.pH7
C.pH8
D.pH9

The bacterium in a mutualistic association with legumes converts

A.nitrates to ammonia
B.ammonium compounds to nitrites
C.nitrogen gas to ammonia
D.nitrites to nitrates

An herbivore cannot feed on a piece of meat because it has no

A.incisors to out the meat
B.canines to tear up the meat
C.premolars to grind the meat
D.molars to mash the meat

In a particular habitat the role of an organism is referred to as its

A.level
B.biomass
C.niche
D.space

The distribution of organisms in a fresh water habitat like a stream or pond is determined by the following
factors except

A.light penetration
B.pH of the soil
C.rainfall
D.temperature

The speed of wind is measured using the

A.wind vane
B.anemometer
C.photometer
D.barometer

Which of the following is a biotic component of an ecosystem?

A.Soil
B.Rainfall
C.Light
D.Fungi

A moss plant can withstand drought by means of its

A.spores
B.rhizoids
C.antheridia
D.achegonia

Which of the following factors is the main problem facing xerophytic plants?

A.Competition for sunlight
B.Conservation of excess water
C.inadequate roots for water absorption
D.Lack of adequate water

The following are greenhouse gases except

A.carbon dioxide
B.chlorofluorocarbon
C.methane
D.oxygen

Rural-urban migration in developing countries can be prevented by

A.increasing the number of years in school
B.putting up more factories in urban areas
C.having boarding schools in rural areas
D.even distribution of facilities in both regions

Muscles are attached to bones by means of

A.tendons
B.ligaments
C.cartilage
D.nerves

In a population, food shortage may lead to

A.an increased survival rate
B.high reproduction rate
C.intra-specific competition
D.low rate of migration

The following effects are associated with deforestation except

A.gully erosion
B.extinction of plant species
C.migration of wildlife
D.increase in rainfall

The main reason for the conservation of wildlife is to

A.create national parks for recreation
B.maintain ecological balance in communities
C.prevent hunters from being 'cruel to animals
D.save some species from extinction.

Which of the following is an example of variation?

A.Blood
B.Tongue rolling
C.Reproduction
D.Growth