WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2016
Question 1 Report
Which of the following substances is not usually present in the urine of a healthy person?
Answer Details
Glucose is not usually present in the urine of a healthy person. Glucose is a type of sugar that is normally present in the blood, but it is typically filtered out by the kidneys and reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. If there is too much glucose in the blood, such as in the case of diabetes, the kidneys may not be able to reabsorb all of it and some may end up in the urine. This is why glucose is sometimes present in the urine of people with diabetes, but it is not typically present in the urine of healthy individuals. On the other hand, urea, mineral salts, and water are all normally present in the urine of healthy people. Urea is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down protein, and it is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Mineral salts such as sodium, potassium, and calcium are also filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, along with excess water.
Question 2 Report
Which of the following actions is NOT a voluntary action?
Answer Details
Sneezing is NOT a voluntary action. Sneezing is a reflex action, which means it happens automatically in response to an irritation or stimulation of the nasal passages. When the nasal lining detects irritants like dust, pollen, or bacteria, it sends a signal to the brainstem, which triggers a series of involuntary muscle contractions that force air out of the nose and mouth. Sneezing is a natural defense mechanism of the body that helps to remove irritants and protect the respiratory system. Unlike stealing, fighting, and cheating, which are deliberate and intentional actions that require a decision and choice, sneezing is not under conscious control and cannot be stopped voluntarily. Therefore, sneezing is NOT a voluntary action.
Question 3 Report
The major problem experience by organisms living in small water bodies is
Answer Details
Question 4 Report
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to
Answer Details
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients. Villi are tiny, finger-like projections that line the small intestine. They are covered in microvilli, which are even smaller projections. Together, villi and microvilli create a large surface area in the small intestine, which helps to maximize the absorption of nutrients from food. As food passes through the small intestine, the villi and microvilli trap and absorb nutrients such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, which are then transported into the bloodstream and carried to the rest of the body. Without the villi, the surface area for absorption would be greatly reduced, and the body would not be able to extract as many nutrients from the food that is eaten. Therefore, the function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption.
Question 5 Report
Which of the following structures is not an organ of the disgestive system?
Answer Details
The kidney is not an organ of the digestive system. While all the other options listed (oesophagus, pancreas, and stomach) are part of the digestive system, the kidney is not involved in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food. The kidney is part of the excretory system and is responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine.
Question 6 Report
A blend of inherited and acquired characteristics shows
Answer Details
A blend of inherited and acquired characteristics shows variation. Inherited characteristics are passed down from parents to offspring through genetic material, while acquired characteristics are developed through an individual's life experiences and interactions with the environment. Variation refers to differences that exist among individuals of the same species, and this variation can be due to both genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, a blend of inherited and acquired characteristics contributes to the observed variation among individuals of a species.
Question 7 Report
Which of the following relationships does not involve two organisms?
Answer Details
Saprophitism is the relationship that does not involve two organisms. Saprophitism is a type of relationship between an organism and dead or decaying organic matter. The organism involved in saprophitism is known as a saprophyte or saprobe, and it feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. This type of relationship is important in the ecosystem because it helps to break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment. In contrast, the other relationships listed - commensalism, symbiosis, and parasitism - all involve two organisms. Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Symbiosis is a relationship in which two organisms live in close association with each other and both benefit. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other. In summary, saprophitism is a relationship between an organism and dead or decaying organic matter, and is the only relationship listed that does not involve two organisms.
Question 8 Report
Which of the following terms is associated with natural selections?
Answer Details
The term associated with natural selection is "survival of the fittest." Natural selection is the process by which certain traits that are advantageous for survival become more common in a population over time. This occurs through the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with those traits. The concept of "fitness" refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, based on its inherited traits. Those with higher fitness are more likely to survive and pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring, while those with lower fitness are less likely to survive and reproduce. Therefore, "survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that the most well-adapted individuals are the ones most likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation, leading to evolution over time.
Question 9 Report
The capillarity of a soil refers to
Answer Details
Capillarity of soil refers to how well water rises up in the soil due to the attraction between the soil particles and water molecules. It is the ability of the soil to hold water against the force of gravity. When the soil is dry, it creates a suction force that pulls water from wetter areas towards it, which is known as capillary action. This process helps to provide water to plants and other organisms living in the soil.
Question 10 Report
Which of the following actions supports conservation? To
Answer Details
Conservation is the practice of protecting and preserving natural resources, including habitats and wildlife, for the benefit of both present and future generations. Out of the options listed, protecting endangered species is the action that supports conservation. This is because it involves taking measures to prevent the extinction of species that are at risk, thereby preserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem. By protecting endangered species, we are helping to maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem and ensuring the survival of the natural resources that we rely on.
Question 11 Report
The cells and tissues of the nose, throat, chest diaphragm and lungs from the
Answer Details
The cells and tissues of the nose, throat, chest, diaphragm, and lungs form the respiratory system. The respiratory system is responsible for taking in oxygen from the air and eliminating carbon dioxide from the body. The process of respiration occurs through the exchange of gases in the lungs, which is facilitated by the respiratory system. Therefore, the correct option is respiratory.
Question 13 Report
In ecology, a community refers to
Answer Details
In ecology, a community refers to groups of different organisms living in a habitat. A community is a set of populations of different species living and interacting in a particular place at the same time. These populations interact with each other in different ways such as competition, predation, and mutualism, and their interactions can have significant effects on the entire ecosystem. Therefore, the community is an important level of organization in ecology, which helps us understand the complex relationships among different species and their impact on the environment.
Question 14 Report
The direction wind is determined by
Answer Details
The direction of wind is determined by a wind vane. A wind vane is a weather instrument that shows the direction of the wind. It consists of a pointer that freely rotates on a vertical axis and always points into the wind. The wind direction is indicated by the end of the pointer that is opposite the arrow.
Question 15 Report
Use the diagram above that shows the effect of nitrates on water bodies Study it carefully and answer questions.
Another cause that could lead to the phenomenon in the diagram is
Answer Details
The phenomenon in the diagram shows an increase in the growth of algae and other aquatic plants due to an increase in nitrates in the water. One cause that could lead to this phenomenon is the dumping of sewage into the water bodies. Sewage contains high levels of nutrients, including nitrates, which when discharged into water bodies can cause an increase in the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. This increase in growth can lead to eutrophication, a process where the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants reduces oxygen levels in the water, leading to the death of aquatic organisms. Therefore, the dumping of sewage into water bodies can have serious negative impacts on the health of the ecosystem and human activities that depend on it.
Question 16 Report
Plant A was seen to appear as Plant B after seven hours
Study the above diagrams carefully and answer the questions.
The term that can be used to describe what happened to Plant A after seven hours is
Answer Details
Question 17 Report
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to
Answer Details
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption. Villi are small, finger-like projections that protrude from the lining of the small intestine. They increase the surface area of the small intestine, allowing for greater absorption of nutrients from digested food. The increased surface area of the villi provides a larger area for the absorption of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The nutrients are then transported to the bloodstream to be used by the body for energy and other functions.
Question 18 Report
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to
Answer Details
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption. Villi are finger-like projections found on the inner lining of the small intestine. They increase the surface area of the small intestine, which allows for more efficient absorption of nutrients from food. The villi are covered in microvilli, which are even smaller projections that further increase the surface area for absorption. The increased surface area provided by the villi and microvilli allows for a greater amount of nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Question 19 Report
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to
Answer Details
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption. The villi are tiny finger-like projections that line the small intestine. They increase the surface area available for absorption of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, by up to 600 times. The villi are covered with microvilli, which further increase the surface area. This allows for more efficient absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, which is then transported to the rest of the body for energy and growth.
Question 20 Report
A cross between two parents produced four offspring's with blood groups AB, BB, BO and AO. what is the blood group of their parents?
Answer Details
The blood group of the parents can be determined using the principle of codominance and the possible genotypes of the parents. Each parent contributes one allele to their offspring, and the offspring's blood group is determined by the combination of the two alleles received from their parents. Since the offspring have blood groups AB, BB, BO and AO, we can deduce that one of the parents must have contributed an A allele and the other parent contributed a B allele. This is because the blood groups AB, BB and AO all have either an A or B allele, while the blood group BO has an O allele from each parent. Therefore, the possible genotypes of the parents are IAIA and IBIO, IAIB and IBIB, or IAIB and IBIO, where IA and IB represent the A and B alleles respectively, and IO represents the O allele. The only genotype combination that can produce offspring with blood groups AB, BB, BO and AO is IAIB and IBIO. Therefore, the blood group of the parents is AB and BO.
Question 21 Report
Special modification which enable an organism to survive in its habitat is known as.
Answer Details
Special modification which enable an organism to survive in its habitat is known as adaptation. Adaptation is a biological process in which an organism undergoes certain physical or behavioral changes that make it better suited to survive and reproduce in its environment. These modifications can be structural, physiological or behavioral and may occur over long periods of time through natural selection or quickly through genetic mutations. Adaptation helps organisms to cope with changes in their environment, increases their chances of survival, and enables them to exploit available resources for their own benefit.
Question 23 Report
A sick baby was successfully transfused with blood from the father who has blood group AB.
What is the group of the the sick baby?
Answer Details
Question 24 Report
An organism at the start of a food chain which provides the total input energy into an ecosystem is the
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Question 26 Report
The association between two organisms in which one of the organisms gains and the other loses is referred to as
Answer Details
The association between two organisms in which one of the organisms gains while the other loses is referred to as parasitism. In parasitism, the organism that benefits is called the parasite, while the other organism, which is harmed, is called the host. The parasite gains some form of benefit from the host, such as food, shelter, or nutrients, while the host is often weakened or damaged by the relationship. This can lead to negative effects on the host's health, survival, or reproductive success. Parasitism is different from other types of symbiotic relationships like mutualism, commensalism, and saprophytism because in those relationships, both organisms benefit or at least one organism is not harmed. In parasitism, however, one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
Question 27 Report
Which of the following parts of the ear does NOT contain endolymph?
Answer Details
Question 28 Report
The illustration above represents a cross between a colour blind male and normal female.
Study it carefully and answer the questions.
What is the genotype ratio of carrier females to normal males in the cross?
Answer Details
Question 29 Report
Scientists who study genetics are known as
Answer Details
Scientists who study genetics are known as geneticists. Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. Geneticists use various techniques and tools to study DNA, mutations, gene expression, and genetic disorders. They also work on developing new methods to understand genetic mechanisms and how they can be used in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
Question 30 Report
Flaccidity in plants is associated with
Answer Details
Flaccidity in plants refers to a state in which the plant cells lose their water content and become soft and limp. This happens when there is a loss of water in the plant, either due to a lack of water supply or excessive water loss through transpiration. This loss of water causes the cell to shrink and lose its turgidity, resulting in the plant becoming wilted. As a result of the loss of turgor pressure, the plant may not be able to carry out important functions such as photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is wilting.
Question 31 Report
Which of the following natural resources cannot be conserved?
Answer Details
All of the natural resources listed can be conserved through various methods and practices. However, if we had to choose one resource that cannot be fully conserved, it would be air. While efforts can be made to reduce air pollution, it is not possible to completely eliminate all sources of air pollution. Additionally, air is a constantly moving and changing resource, making it difficult to control and manage in the same way as other resources. Therefore, while efforts can be made to minimize negative impacts on air quality, it cannot be fully conserved in the same way as other natural resources.
Question 32 Report
A pandemic is an outbreak of disease that
Answer Details
A pandemic is an outbreak of disease that is widespread, affecting a large region or even multiple continents. It is characterized by the spread of the disease across a large population, with high rates of infection and transmission from person to person. Unlike an epidemic, which is typically limited to a specific region or community, a pandemic has the potential to affect millions of people around the world. Pandemics are often caused by the emergence of new strains of infectious diseases or the spread of existing diseases to new populations.
Question 33 Report
The steps below are involved in the testing of a leaf for starch. Study them carefully and answer the question:
I. Decolorize them
II. Dip decolorized leaf in warm water
III. Place leaf in boiling water
IV. Add iodine solution
The CORRECT order for the test is?
Answer Details
The correct order for testing a leaf for starch is: III, I, II, and IV. First, the leaf is placed in boiling water to kill the cells and denature the enzymes that could break down starch. Next, the decolorizing step removes chlorophyll from the leaf, making it easier to observe the presence of starch. Then, the leaf is rinsed with warm water to soften it and make it easier to spread. Finally, iodine solution is added to the leaf, and if starch is present, the iodine will react with the starch, turning it blue-black.
Question 34 Report