WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2019 (Practical)
Pregunta 1 Informe
Study specimens A, B, C, E and F and answer questions 1(a) to 1(e).
(a) Name one branch of Biology D which involves the use ot specimens A, B, C, D, E and F. (b) State one function of each of Specimens A. B. C D E and F:
(c) Describe briefly how each of specimens B and D could be used.
(d) make a drawing, 10 cm to 12 cm long of specimen D and label fully.
(e) Name two organisms each associated with the use ot specimens D and F.
(a) The branch of Biology is Ecology.
(b) Functions of the specimens
- Thermometer: used to measure temperature, that is, the degree of hotness or coldness of an object, air, water or soil.
- Rain gauge: used to measure the amount of rainfall received in an area.
- Metre rule: used to measure length, distance or depth.
- Sweep net: used to catch or collect flying insects and insects living among grasses.
- Wind vane: used to determine the direction from which the wind blows.
- Quadrat: used for population studies of small plants, sessile organisms and slow-moving animals in a habitat.
(c) Use of specimens B and D
Specimen B, rain gauge:
- Place the rain gauge in an open area, away from trees and buildings.
- Mount it slightly above the ground to prevent splash water and surface run-off from entering it.
- After rainfall, pour the collected water into the graduated measuring cylinder.
- Read and record the volume or depth of water collected as the rainfall for that period.
Specimen D, sweep net:
- Select the habitat to be sampled, such as a grassland.
- Hold the sweep net firmly by its handle.
- Sweep the net through the air or through the vegetation in steady strokes.
- Transfer the insects caught in the net into a collecting container.
- Identify, count and record the organisms collected.
(d) Drawing of specimen D
Make a neat, large drawing of the sweep net, 10 cm to 12 cm long. The drawing carries the following labels:
- handle
- wire rim or circular hoop
- netting or mesh bag
- tapering end of net
(e) Organisms associated with the specimens
| Specimen | Two associated organisms |
|---|---|
| D, sweep net | Butterfly; grasshopper |
| F, quadrat | Spear grass; garden snail |
Detalles de la respuesta
(a) The branch of Biology is Ecology.
(b) Functions of the specimens
- Thermometer: used to measure temperature, that is, the degree of hotness or coldness of an object, air, water or soil.
- Rain gauge: used to measure the amount of rainfall received in an area.
- Metre rule: used to measure length, distance or depth.
- Sweep net: used to catch or collect flying insects and insects living among grasses.
- Wind vane: used to determine the direction from which the wind blows.
- Quadrat: used for population studies of small plants, sessile organisms and slow-moving animals in a habitat.
(c) Use of specimens B and D
Specimen B, rain gauge:
- Place the rain gauge in an open area, away from trees and buildings.
- Mount it slightly above the ground to prevent splash water and surface run-off from entering it.
- After rainfall, pour the collected water into the graduated measuring cylinder.
- Read and record the volume or depth of water collected as the rainfall for that period.
Specimen D, sweep net:
- Select the habitat to be sampled, such as a grassland.
- Hold the sweep net firmly by its handle.
- Sweep the net through the air or through the vegetation in steady strokes.
- Transfer the insects caught in the net into a collecting container.
- Identify, count and record the organisms collected.
(d) Drawing of specimen D
Make a neat, large drawing of the sweep net, 10 cm to 12 cm long. The drawing carries the following labels:
- handle
- wire rim or circular hoop
- netting or mesh bag
- tapering end of net
(e) Organisms associated with the specimens
| Specimen | Two associated organisms |
|---|---|
| D, sweep net | Butterfly; grasshopper |
| F, quadrat | Spear grass; garden snail |
Pregunta 2 Informe
Study specimens H and J and answer questions 2(a) to 2(d).
(a)i) Name the Kingdom and Class of organisms from which specimen H could be obtained.
(ii) Name the specific location on the body of the organism from which specimen H could be obtained.
(iii) Name one example of organism from which specimen H could be obtained.
(bi) State six observable structural differences between specimens H and J.
| H | J |
(c) State one function each of specimens H and J to the organisms that possess them. H:(ii) State three observable structural similarities between specimens H and J.
(d) Mention: (i) three observable features that adapt specimen H to the function stated against it in 2(c);
(i) two observable features that adapt specimen J to the function stated against it in 2(c).
Specimen H is a large stiff quill (flight) feather and specimen J is a soft fluffy down feather, both obtained from a bird.
(a)(i) Kingdom: Animalia; Class: Aves.
(a)(ii) Specific location on the body: the wing (or tail) of the bird.
(a)(iii) Example organism: domestic fowl (Gallus gallus); a pigeon is also acceptable.
(b)(i) Six observable structural differences between H and J:
| Specimen H (quill feather) | Specimen J (down feather) |
|---|---|
| Has a long, stiff shaft (rachis) | Has a short, soft shaft |
| Has a large, flat, well-formed vane | Has no distinct flat vane |
| Barbs are firmly interlocked by hooked barbules | Barbs are free and not interlocked |
| Firm and rigid in texture | Soft and fluffy in texture |
| Vane is asymmetrical (unequal on both sides) | Barbs are loose and roughly symmetrical |
| Larger in overall size | Smaller in overall size |
(c) Function of each specimen:
- H: provides the broad surface used for flight (pushing against air and streamlining the body).
- J: provides insulation, trapping air to conserve the bird's body heat.
(c)(ii) Three observable structural similarities between H and J:
- Both have a central shaft.
- Both bear barbs arising from the shaft.
- Both are made of the protein keratin (both possess a quill/calamus at the base).
(d)(i) Three features that adapt H to flight:
- A broad, flat vane giving a large surface area to push against air.
- Interlocking barbs and barbules forming a continuous, air-tight surface.
- A light, hollow shaft that reduces weight for easy lift.
(d)(ii) Two features that adapt J to insulation:
- Loose, non-interlocking barbs that trap a layer of still air.
- Soft, fluffy structure lying close to the body to hold warm air against the skin.
Detalles de la respuesta
Specimen H is a large stiff quill (flight) feather and specimen J is a soft fluffy down feather, both obtained from a bird.
(a)(i) Kingdom: Animalia; Class: Aves.
(a)(ii) Specific location on the body: the wing (or tail) of the bird.
(a)(iii) Example organism: domestic fowl (Gallus gallus); a pigeon is also acceptable.
(b)(i) Six observable structural differences between H and J:
| Specimen H (quill feather) | Specimen J (down feather) |
|---|---|
| Has a long, stiff shaft (rachis) | Has a short, soft shaft |
| Has a large, flat, well-formed vane | Has no distinct flat vane |
| Barbs are firmly interlocked by hooked barbules | Barbs are free and not interlocked |
| Firm and rigid in texture | Soft and fluffy in texture |
| Vane is asymmetrical (unequal on both sides) | Barbs are loose and roughly symmetrical |
| Larger in overall size | Smaller in overall size |
(c) Function of each specimen:
- H: provides the broad surface used for flight (pushing against air and streamlining the body).
- J: provides insulation, trapping air to conserve the bird's body heat.
(c)(ii) Three observable structural similarities between H and J:
- Both have a central shaft.
- Both bear barbs arising from the shaft.
- Both are made of the protein keratin (both possess a quill/calamus at the base).
(d)(i) Three features that adapt H to flight:
- A broad, flat vane giving a large surface area to push against air.
- Interlocking barbs and barbules forming a continuous, air-tight surface.
- A light, hollow shaft that reduces weight for easy lift.
(d)(ii) Two features that adapt J to insulation:
- Loose, non-interlocking barbs that trap a layer of still air.
- Soft, fluffy structure lying close to the body to hold warm air against the skin.
Pregunta 3 Informe
Study Specimens P(Cockroach), and Q(Grasshopper) and answer questions 4(a) to 4(e).
(a)(i) State the sex of specimen P.
(ii) Give one reason tor the answer in 4(a).
(b)(i) Name the habitats of each of specimens P and Q
(ii) State three adaptations each of specimens P and Q to their habitats.
(c)(i) State one observable structural differences between specimens
(ii) State three observable structural similarities between P and Q.
(d)(i) Observe the mouthpart of specimen Q and state its feeding mechanism.
(ii) List one food which specimen Q feeds on.
(e) Remove carefully one of the legs on the right side of the metathorax of specimen P. Make a drawing, 6 cm to 8 cm long of the removed leg and label fully.
4(a)
(i) Specimen P is a male cockroach.
(ii) It has a pair of anal styles at the posterior end of the abdomen.
4(b)
(i) Habitats
- Specimen P (cockroach): Dark, damp places such as cupboards, kitchens, pit latrines, wardrobes, soak-aways and cracks or crevices.
- Specimen Q (grasshopper): Grassland, gardens, farms and other vegetated areas.
(ii) Adaptations to habitat
| Specimen | Adaptations |
|---|---|
| P: Cockroach |
|
| Q: Grasshopper |
|
4(c)
(i) Specimen P has a dorsoventrally flattened body, whereas specimen Q has a more cylindrical body.
(ii) Structural similarities
- Both have bodies divided into head, thorax and abdomen.
- Both have three pairs of jointed legs and a pair of antennae.
- Both have compound eyes, a chitinous exoskeleton and biting-and-chewing mouthparts.
4(d)
(i) Specimen Q feeds by biting and chewing.
(ii) It feeds on grass or green foliage leaves.
4(e)
Drawing of the right metathoracic leg of specimen P (cockroach), drawn to a length of 6 to 8 cm
Detalles de la respuesta
4(a)
(i) Specimen P is a male cockroach.
(ii) It has a pair of anal styles at the posterior end of the abdomen.
4(b)
(i) Habitats
- Specimen P (cockroach): Dark, damp places such as cupboards, kitchens, pit latrines, wardrobes, soak-aways and cracks or crevices.
- Specimen Q (grasshopper): Grassland, gardens, farms and other vegetated areas.
(ii) Adaptations to habitat
| Specimen | Adaptations |
|---|---|
| P: Cockroach |
|
| Q: Grasshopper |
|
4(c)
(i) Specimen P has a dorsoventrally flattened body, whereas specimen Q has a more cylindrical body.
(ii) Structural similarities
- Both have bodies divided into head, thorax and abdomen.
- Both have three pairs of jointed legs and a pair of antennae.
- Both have compound eyes, a chitinous exoskeleton and biting-and-chewing mouthparts.
4(d)
(i) Specimen Q feeds by biting and chewing.
(ii) It feeds on grass or green foliage leaves.
4(e)
Drawing of the right metathoracic leg of specimen P (cockroach), drawn to a length of 6 to 8 cm
