WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2024 (Practical)

Akọwa Nkọwa

Specimen L - Thoracic vertebra

Specimen M - Humerus bone

Specimen P - Femur bone

Specimen Q - Lumbar Vertebra

(a) Region of the human body where each of specimens L and Q are located.

    L: chest or thorax region

    Q: abdominal region or between thoracic and sacral vertebrae

b(i)Four observable differences between specimens L and Q.

L(Thoracic vertebra)	Q(Lumbar vertebra)
presence of small centrum	presence of large centrum
Neural spine is long	Neural spine is short
Transverse process is long	Transverse process is short
Absence of anapophysis	Anapophysis is present
Demifacets are present	Demifacets are absent

(ii) Observable similarities between specimens L and Q.

- Both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae have facet joints that articulate with adjacent vertebrae. 

- Both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae have a body. 

- Both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae have a spinous process that extends backward. 

- Both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae have transverse processes that extend laterally.

- Both of them possess neural arch. 

c(i) Bones each that articulate with specimens M(humerus bone) and P(femur bone)

M: scapula, ulna, cervical

P: pelvic girdle, tibia

(ii) One vertebra each that is located and after each of specimens L and Q in the vertebral column.

               Before                               After

 L: ...cervical vertebra..        ...Lumbar vertebra...

 Q: ....thoracic vertebra..     ....sacral vertebra....

(d) 

Specimen	Features
	Neural canal	Rounded head	Neural spine	Long shaft
L(thoracic)	✔	X	✔
M(humerus bone)	X	✔	X	✔
P(femur bone)		✔	X	✔
Q(Lumbar vertebra)	✔	X	✔

Akọwa Nkọwa

Specimen F - Ginger rhizome

Specimen H - Leaf of Boplytum

Specimen K - Cassava tuber

(a) Functions of specimen H to the plant from which it was obtained.

- site for photosynthesis

- for exchange of gases

- for transpiration

- asexual reproduction

- water storage

b(i) one function each of specimen F and K to the plants from which they were obtained.

     F: stores food, helps the plant reproduce and survive unfavorable seasons.

     K: storage of food

 (ii) one reason each for the answers in 2b(i)

     F: presence of buds / rhizome located underground

     K: presence of swollen root

(iii) Part of the plant modified for the function stated in 2b(i)?

    F: stem

    K: root

c(i)Four observable differences between specimens F and K.

F(Ginger rhizome)	K(Cassava)
presence of buds	absence of buds
presence of nodes and internodes	Absence of nodes and internodes
presence of adventitious roots	presence of lateral roots
smaller in size	Bigger in size

(ii) Similarity between specimens F and K.

- both are modified underground stems.

- both storage organs.

- both swollen

- both are carbohydrates

(d) Labelled diagram of Specimen H (see diagram above)

 

 

Akọwa Nkọwa

Specimen B - whole liver from a domestic fowl

Specimen D - gizzard

Specimen E - Intestine

(a) Phylum: Chordata / Vertebrata

     Class: Aves

(b) Observable features of specimen B

- reddish/dark red colour

- has a greenish sac attached to it (presence of gall bladder)

- cone shaped

- soft and spongy to touch

c(i) Functions of specimen B to the organism from which it was obtained

- regulation of blood sugar level

- deamination of proteins/excretion of nitrogenous waste

- formation of fibrinogen

- produce heat for maintaining constant body temperature

- stores Vitamin A, B, D and E.

(ii) one function each of specimens D and E to the organism from which they were obtained.

Specimen D - help domestic fowl break down food into smaller, more digestible pieces. 

Specimen E - digest food and absorb nutrients from it.

(iii) one adaptation each of specimens D and E to the function stated in 1c(ii)

       D: a thick muscular wall, a hardened cuticle, and sometimes small stones called gastroliths.

       E: have a short, efficient digestive system that's adapted for fast digestion.

(d)(i) 

Test	Observation	Inferences
Red litmus paper + fluid	fluid turns litmus paper blue	Basic or alkaline
Blue litmus paper + fluid	Blue litmus paper remains unchanged	Not acidic but basic or alkaline

(ii) Functions of Bile

- breaks down fat globules into smaller pieces so they can be digested

- helps the body absorb fat, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins

- neutralizes the acidic chyme from the stomach

- carries bilirubin, a waste product from red blood cells, out of the body in faeces 

- carries excess cholesterol out of the body 

- has antibacterial properties that help fight microorganisms in food.

e(i) The biological system in the body of vertebrates that specimens D and E belongs to is the Digestive system.

  (ii) Specimen D (gizzard) is absent in human

 f(i) The mode of feeding of the organism that possesses specimen E(intestine) is heterotrophic/ holozoic mode of nutrition.

 (ii) The type of food that the organism that possesses specimen D consumes.

- grains

- seeds

- crops

- insects