JAMB UTME - Biology - 2018
Question 1 Report
The gland that is present close to Trachea
Answer Details
The gland that is present close to the trachea is the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple and above the collarbone. It wraps around the front of the trachea, which is the tube that carries air to the lungs. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate many important functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, and development. When the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can cause a variety of health problems, including weight gain or loss, fatigue, and mood changes.
Question 2 Report
The immediate product of meiosis in flowering plants is the
Answer Details
Pollen grains form in the two pollen sacs located in the anther. Each pollen sac contains specialized chambers in which the microspore mother cells are enclosed and protected. The microspore mother cells undergo meiosis to form four haploid microspores. Subsequently, mitotic divisions form four pollen grains. Inside each pollen grain is a generative cell; this cell will later divide to produce two sperm cells. Pollen grain shapes are specialized for specific flower species.
Question 3 Report
Which of the following processes removes carbon from the atmosphere?
Answer Details
The process that removes carbon from the atmosphere is "photosynthesis". Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of carbon dioxide and water. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (CO2) is taken in from the atmosphere and used to produce glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. In this process, the carbon from CO2 is converted into organic carbon compounds, which are then used to build the plant's structure and stored in the plant's tissues. This means that photosynthesis helps to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the biomass of plants. In contrast, processes such as putrefaction, volcanic eruption, and burning of fuels release carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and, in turn, to climate change.
Question 4 Report
A group of closely related organisms capable of interbreeding to produce the fertile offspring are known as members of a
Answer Details
The correct answer is "species". Species are a group of living organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. This means that members of the same species can mate and produce offspring that can themselves reproduce, while organisms from different species cannot produce fertile offspring together. For example, dogs can breed with other dogs to produce fertile puppies, but they cannot breed with cats to produce offspring that can reproduce. Therefore, dogs and cats belong to different species.
Question 5 Report
Which of the following features is not a characteristic of arteries? Arteries
Answer Details
The arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues of the body. Each artery is a muscular tube lined by smooth tissue and has three layers: The intima, the inner layer lined by a smooth tissue called endothelium. Arteries have smaller lumens than veins, a characteristic that helps to maintain the pressure of blood moving through the system. They carry blood away from the heart. Pulmonary arteries transport blood that has a low oxygen content from the right ventricle to the lungs. Arteries do not possess valves at intervals throughout their length
Question 6 Report
The outer membrane that covers the brain is
Answer Details
The outer membrane that covers the brain is called the "dura mater". It is a thick, tough, and fibrous layer that provides protection and support to the brain. The dura mater is the outermost layer of the three meninges (the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). It lies closest to the skull and forms a barrier that separates the brain from the bones of the skull. The dura mater contains blood vessels and nerves that supply the brain and is responsible for anchoring the brain in place.
Question 8 Report
The yellowish colored liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in suspension is
Answer Details
Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. In other words, it is the liquid part of the blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume.
Question 9 Report
Spectacles with convex lenses correct long-sightedness by
Answer Details
Spectacles with convex lenses correct long-sightedness by converging the light rays before they enter the eye. In long-sightedness, also known as hyperopia, the eyeball is too short, which causes light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry vision, especially when looking at close objects. Convex lenses are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, and they bend light rays towards each other. When a person with long-sightedness wears spectacles with convex lenses, the lenses converge the light rays before they enter the eye, which compensates for the shortness of the eyeball. This causes the light rays to focus directly on the retina, which results in clearer vision. Therefore, by converging the light rays before they enter the eye, convex lenses correct long-sightedness.
Question 10 Report
DNA in eukaryotic cells is contained in the
Answer Details
DNA in eukaryotic cells is contained in the nucleus. The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure found in eukaryotic cells that acts as the "brain" of the cell, controlling and regulating all of its functions. It is also where the cell's DNA is stored and protected, in a substance called chromatin. The DNA in the chromatin is organized into long structures called chromosomes, which are visible during cell division. In short, the nucleus is the place where the DNA of a eukaryotic cell is located and it plays a vital role in the functioning of the cell.
Question 11 Report
Red blood cells were found to have burst open after being placed in distill for an hour. This phenomenon is known as
Answer Details
The phenomenon you're referring to is called haemolysis. Haemolysis is the bursting of red blood cells when they are placed in a solution that is different from their normal environment. When red blood cells are placed in distilled water, the water moves into the cells and causes them to expand and eventually burst, resulting in haemolysis. This occurs because the concentration of solutes (e.g. salts, sugars) is higher inside the red blood cells than in the distilled water, causing water to move into the cells and causing them to burst. In simple terms, haemolysis is the bursting of red blood cells due to a change in the solution they are in.
Question 12 Report
The part of the ear which contains nerve cells sensitive to sound vibrations is the
Answer Details
The part of the ear which contains nerve cells sensitive to sound vibrations is the cochlea. The cochlea is a small, spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. It is responsible for translating sound waves into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The cochlea contains tiny hair cells that are responsible for detecting sound vibrations. These hair cells are arranged along the length of the cochlea and are stimulated by different frequencies of sound. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the three small bones in the middle ear, including the malleus. The malleus transmits the vibrations to the inner ear, where they are picked up by the hair cells in the cochlea. The hair cells then convert the vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing us to hear and interpret sounds. In summary, the cochlea is the part of the ear that contains nerve cells sensitive to sound vibrations. The hair cells within the cochlea are responsible for detecting sound waves and translating them into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
Question 13 Report
The function of pith in plant is
Answer Details
Pith, or medulla, is a tissue in the stems of vascular plants. Pith is composed of soft, spongy parenchyma cells, which store and transport nutrients throughout the plant. In eudicots, pith is located in the center of the stem. In monocots, it extends also into flowering stems and roots.
Question 14 Report
The process in which plant uses sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water is called
Answer Details
The process in which plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water is called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a crucial process that enables plants to produce their own food and is responsible for releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll, a pigment found in their leaves and other green parts, to capture energy from sunlight. This energy is used to combine carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. The glucose produced is then used by the plant as an energy source to fuel its growth and other metabolic processes. In summary, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, which they use to synthesize nutrients and sustain their growth and survival.
Question 15 Report
An animal which is active during the day is known as a
Answer Details
An animal that is active during the day is known as a diurnal animal. This means that it is awake and active during the daytime hours, when the sun is shining, and typically sleeps or rests during the night. Diurnal animals have evolved to take advantage of the sunlight and are often adapted to see well in bright light. Examples of diurnal animals include humans, birds, squirrels, and many species of primates.
Question 16 Report
A pollutant that is mostly associated with acid rain is
Answer Details
The pollutant that is mostly associated with acid rain is nitrogen (IV) oxide, also known as nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 is produced when fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are burned at high temperatures, particularly in vehicles and power plants. It is a gas that can react with other chemicals in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO3), which can then fall to the ground as acid rain. When acid rain falls on soil, it can lower the pH and make it more acidic. This can have negative effects on plants and animals that live in the soil, as well as on the quality of the water in lakes and streams. In addition, acid rain can corrode buildings and other structures made of stone, metal, or concrete. To reduce the production of nitrogen (IV) oxide and the formation of acid rain, it is important to reduce the use of fossil fuels and to use cleaner sources of energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Additionally, regulations and policies can be put in place to limit the emissions of nitrogen (IV) oxide from vehicles and power plants.
Question 17 Report
Blood circulation in a mammal is said to be double because
Answer Details
The majority of mammals (including humans) utilize a double circulatory system. This means we have two loops in our body in which blood circulates. One is oxygenated, meaning oxygen rich, and the other is deoxygenated, which means it has little to no oxygen, but a lot of carbon dioxide.
Question 18 Report
Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer?
Answer Details
A primary consumer is an organism that feeds on primary producers. Primary consumers are usually herbivores that feed on autotrophic plants, which produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Question 19 Report
Study the diagram of a food chain shown and use it to answer the question.
P ---> Q ---> R ---> S ---> T
The organism designated P in the food chain above is normally sustained by energy from
Answer Details
The organism designated P in the food chain is normally sustained by energy from the sun. This is because P is likely at the bottom of the food chain, which means it is a primary producer. Primary producers, such as green plants, use energy from the sun to produce their own food through photosynthesis. This food is then consumed by the next organism in the food chain, which is Q. The energy then passes from one organism to the next, all the way up the food chain to the top predator. Therefore, in this food chain, P is likely a green plant or another type of primary producer that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, making sunlight the source of energy for P.
Question 20 Report
A distinguishing feature of mammals is the possession of
Answer Details
One distinguishing feature of mammals is the possession of hair. Hair is a unique type of structure that grows from the skin of mammals and is made up of a protein called keratin. Hair serves many important functions in mammals, such as keeping the body warm, protecting the skin from damage, and providing sensory information. Hair can also be used for social communication, such as when a cat raises its fur to make itself look bigger and more intimidating. While other animals like reptiles may have scales, and birds may have feathers, only mammals have hair as a defining feature.
Question 21 Report
The greatest amount of energy would be obtained by the Oxidation of 100kg of
Answer Details
To determine which of the given food items provides the greatest amount of energy upon oxidation, we need to compare their caloric content. Here's a general overview of the approximate caloric values per 100 grams for each type of food:
- Meat: Approximately 250 calories (varies depending on the type and cut of meat)
- Butter: Approximately 717 calories
- Sugar: Approximately 387 calories
- Biscuits: Approximately 450 calories (varies depending on ingredients and recipe)
Now, let's scale these values up to 100 kg (100,000 grams):
- Meat: 250 \, \text{calories/100g} \times 1000 = 250,000 \, \text{calories}250calories/100g×1000=250,000calories
- Butter: 717calories/100g×1000=717,000calories
- Sugar: 387calories/100g×1000=387,000calories
- Biscuits: 450calories/100g×1000=450,000calories
From these calculations, butter has the highest caloric content per 100 kg. Therefore, the greatest amount of energy will be obtained by the oxidation of 100 kg of:
B. butter
Question 22 Report
Use the diagram to answer the question. The breeding posture illustrated in the diagram is known as
Answer Details
The breeding posture illustrated in the diagram is known as "amplexus". Amplexus is a mating behavior displayed by many amphibians, in which the male grasps the female with his front legs from behind and holds her in position during mating. This position helps the male to fertilize the eggs as they are laid by the female. Amplexus can be further classified into two types: axillary amplexus, in which the male grasps the female's body just behind the front legs, and inguinal amplexus, in which the male grasps the female's body in the pelvic region. This behavior is critical for the reproduction of many amphibian species, and without it, successful fertilization of the eggs would be less likely to occur.
Question 23 Report
Tikka disease is related with the crop
Answer Details
Tikka disease is not related to the crop of Groundnut, Mustard, or Paddy. Tikka disease, also known as Ascochyta blight, is a fungal disease that affects various plants, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils. The disease is caused by a fungus called Ascochyta and can result in small, circular spots on leaves, stems, and pods of infected plants. These spots can be gray, brown, or black, and may have a dark border. In summary, Tikka disease is not related to the crops of Groundnut, Mustard, or Paddy. It affects plants such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils, and is caused by a fungus called Ascochyta.
Question 24 Report
What is the function of contractile vacuole in paramecium?
Answer Details
The contractile vacuole in paramecium functions to get rid of excess water. Paramecium is a single-celled organism that lives in freshwater environments. As water enters the cell by osmosis, the contractile vacuole collects and pumps out the excess water to prevent the cell from swelling and potentially bursting. The contractile vacuole acts like a pump, contracting and releasing to expel the excess water out of the cell. This process helps maintain the proper balance of water and ions inside the cell, which is necessary for the organism's survival. Therefore, the function of the contractile vacuole in paramecium is to regulate water balance and prevent the cell from bursting due to excess water intake.
Question 25 Report
Accessory material in a chicken egg include the following except
Answer Details
The accessory materials found in a chicken egg include the albumen (the egg white), the shell membrane (the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eggshell), and the shell itself. The germinal disc, on the other hand, is not an accessory material, but rather an important part of the egg. The germinal disc, also known as the blastoderm, is a small, round spot on the surface of the yolk that contains the genetic material necessary for the development of the embryo. It is located on the surface of the yolk and can be seen as a small white spot when you crack open an egg. This is where the sperm enters and fertilizes the egg, leading to the development of the embryo. So to summarize, the accessory materials found in a chicken egg are the albumen, shell membrane, and shell, while the germinal disc is an essential part of the egg that is responsible for the development of the embryo.
Question 26 Report
Use the diagram to answer the question. The diagram shows that the organisms are
Answer Details
Question 27 Report
Which of the following relationship involves only one organism?
Answer Details
Saprophytism is the ability of certain plants to live in dead or decaying organic matter. A saprophyte or saprotroph is an organism which gets its energy from dead and decaying organic matter. This may be decaying pieces of plants or animals. This means that saprophytes are heterotrophs. They are consumers in the food chain.
Question 28 Report
What is the critical limiting factor for plants below the photic zone in an aquatic ecosystem?
Answer Details
Primary production in the photic zone is influenced by three major factors—nutrients and light, which are essential for photosynthesis, and grazing pressure, the rate at which the plants are eaten by herbivores.
Question 29 Report
What would happen if solution Y is more concentrated than solution X in fig 2?
Answer Details
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.
Question 30 Report
Swollen, bleeding gums are another common sign of which vitamin?
Answer Details
The vitamin that is commonly associated with swollen, bleeding gums is Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps in the formation of collagen, which is an important component of connective tissues like gums. Without enough Vitamin C, the collagen fibers in gums can weaken and break down, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. In addition, Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that can help to protect the gums from damage caused by harmful free radicals. Therefore, a diet deficient in Vitamin C can cause gums to become swollen, inflamed, and bleed easily. Consuming sufficient amounts of Vitamin C can help to prevent and treat these symptoms, which is why it is important to include Vitamin C-rich foods in your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, broccoli, and peppers, among others.
Question 31 Report
The temporary union of two organisms and the exchange of micronuclear elements is called
Answer Details
The temporary union of two organisms and the exchange of micronuclear elements is called "conjugation". Conjugation is a process of sexual reproduction in some single-celled organisms, such as certain bacteria and protozoa. During conjugation, two organisms come together and form a temporary union. They exchange genetic material through a small opening that forms between them, allowing the exchange of micronuclear elements, such as DNA. The exchanged micronuclear elements contain genetic information that can be used to produce new offspring with different genetic traits from the parent organisms. This allows for increased genetic diversity within a population, which can be important for adaptation and evolution. In summary, conjugation is a process of temporary union and genetic exchange between two organisms, which can lead to increased genetic diversity within a population.
Question 32 Report
A seed of a flowering plant can best be described as
Answer Details
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth with in the motherplant.
Question 33 Report
A man who is heterozygous for the disease haemophilia marries a woman who is double recessive for haemophilia. What percentage of their offspring would have the disease?
Answer Details
Haemophilia is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder. This means that the gene responsible for haemophilia is located on the X chromosome, and individuals with two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) will have the disease. The man in this scenario is heterozygous, meaning he has one normal X chromosome and one X chromosome with the defective gene. The woman is double recessive, meaning she has two copies of the defective gene. When the man and woman have offspring, each child will inherit one of their father's X chromosomes and one of their mother's X chromosomes. The possible combinations of X chromosomes the children could inherit are: - Normal X chromosome from the father and normal X chromosome from the mother - Normal X chromosome from the father and defective X chromosome from the mother - Defective X chromosome from the father and normal X chromosome from the mother - Defective X chromosome from the father and defective X chromosome from the mother Of these possible combinations, only the last one (defective X chromosome from both parents) will result in the child having haemophilia. The probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from the father is 50%, since the father is heterozygous. The probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from the mother is 100%, since the mother is double recessive. Therefore, the probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from both parents and having haemophilia is 50% x 100% = 50%. So the correct answer is: 50% of their offspring would have the disease.
Question 34 Report
Examples of micronutrients include the following except
Answer Details
The essential elements can be divided into macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutrients that plants require in larger amounts are called macronutrients. About half of the essential elements are considered macronutrients: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Question 35 Report
In the egg of a bird, the embryo is located in the
Answer Details
Special temporary organs or embryonic membranes form within the egg, both to protect the embryo and to provide for its nutrition, respiration, and excretion. These organs include the yolk sac. The yolk sac is also responsible for the initial circulation and is in charge of delivering nutrients, via a primitive aorta, to the developing embryo through a process called vitelline circulation.
Question 36 Report
Which of the following instruments is used to estimate the number of plants in a habitat?
Answer Details
The instrument used to estimate the number of plants in a habitat is a quadrant. A quadrant is a square or rectangular frame that is used to isolate a specific area within a habitat for study. It is typically made of a lightweight and durable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be any size, depending on the needs of the study. To estimate the number of plants in a habitat using a quadrant, researchers randomly select several quadrants within the study area and place them on the ground. They then count the number of plants within the quadrant and use this information to estimate the number of plants in the entire study area. Quadrants are a commonly used tool in ecology and are particularly useful for estimating the density and distribution of plant populations. They are simple to use and can provide valuable information for researchers who are interested in understanding the dynamics of plant communities.
Question 37 Report
A group of organism of the same species living together in a particular area is described as
Answer Details
The term that describes a group of organisms of the same species living together in a particular area is "population". A population refers to all the individuals of a particular species that live in a specific geographic area and can interbreed. For example, a population of deer in a forest or a population of fish in a river. On the other hand, a "colony" typically refers to a group of organisms of the same species living closely together, but it usually implies a degree of cooperation and organization beyond what is typically seen in a population. A "community" refers to all the different populations of organisms living together in a particular area and interacting with each other, such as a community of plants, animals, and microbes in a forest. Lastly, a "niche" refers to the particular role and position that a species has in its environment, including the resources it uses and the interactions it has with other species.
Question 38 Report
The graph below shows the results of a laboratory investigation which measured the body temperatures of a lizard and a bird under changing artificial conditions. Use it to answer the question.
What physiological term can used to describe the regulation of the body temperature of the of the lizard?
Answer Details
The physiological term that can be used to describe the regulation of the body temperature of the lizard is "poikilothermy". Poikilothermy refers to the ability of an animal's body temperature to fluctuate with changes in the external environment. In other words, the body temperature of poikilothermic animals, such as lizards, is not actively regulated by their bodies, but rather is influenced by the temperature of their surroundings. As seen in the graph, the body temperature of the lizard varies with the temperature of the environment it is in. This is in contrast to homeothermic animals, such as birds and mammals, which can maintain a relatively constant body temperature regardless of external temperature changes through the process of "thermoregulation".
Question 39 Report
Ozone hole refers to
Answer Details
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated ozone depleting substances (ODS) are mainly responsible for man-made chemical ozone depletion.
Question 40 Report
Which is an animal without red blood cells?
Answer Details
While humans and many other species have red blood, due to the iron in their hemoglobin, other animals have different colored blood. Spiders (as well as horseshoe crabs and certain other arthropods) have blue blood due to the presence of copper-based hemocyanin in their blood. Some animals, such as the sea cucumbers, even have yellow blood. What could make blood yellow? The yellow coloration is due to a high concentration of the yellow vanadium-based pigment, vanabin. Unlike hemoglobin and hemocyanin, vanabin does not seem to be involved in oxygen transport.
