JAMB UTME - Biology - 2019

Maelezo ya Majibu

Dictating the formation of a protein by a gene in a chromosome is a process of transmitting hereditary characteristics

Maelezo ya Majibu

Water passes through the root cell membrane by osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration across a semi-permeable membrane. In plants, water is absorbed through the root hairs of the plant and moves into the root cells. The root cell membrane is selectively permeable, meaning that it allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others. Water molecules are small enough to pass through the membrane, but larger molecules like cell sap, carbon dioxide, and oxygen cannot pass through by osmosis. Therefore, the correct answer is water.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Operculum or gill cover helps the tilapia fish in gaseous exchange.

Maelezo ya Majibu

It is found in moist environment because of its adaptive features.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The specific portion of a habitat that is occupied by a particular species is referred to as its "Ecological Niche". An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, including its relationships with other species, the way it obtains food and resources, and the physical conditions it requires to survive. Essentially, it's the species' unique way of life and how it fits into its habitat. For example, a bird species might have a specific ecological niche as a seed-eater, and it might occupy a certain area of a forest where seeds are abundant. Another species might occupy a different niche as a predator, hunting for insects in a different part of the forest. These two species have their own unique ecological niches and do not overlap in the way they interact with their environment.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The juice that contains the enzyme ptyalin is saliva. Ptyalin, also known as salivary amylase, is an enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. It is produced by the salivary glands and released into the mouth when we eat. Ptyalin begins the process of digestion in the mouth, breaking down starchy foods such as bread and potatoes into smaller, more easily digestible molecules. Gastric juice is produced by the stomach and contains hydrochloric acid and enzymes that help break down proteins. Succus is not a specific type of juice. It can refer to any juice that is extracted from a plant or fruit. Pancreatic juice is produced by the pancreas and contains enzymes that help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the small intestine. So, the correct answer is saliva.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The exception to Darwin's proposed conditions for natural selection is "food and other needs are abundant." In Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, he proposed that nature selects those organisms that are best adapted to their environment, and those that are not well-adapted will not survive and reproduce. This selection process occurs because resources such as food and other necessities are limited, and only those that are able to obtain these resources will survive and reproduce. If resources were abundant, there would be no need for competition, and selection would not occur.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Height in humans is an example of continuous variation. This means that there is a wide range of possible heights within a population and that there is no clear division into separate categories. People can be tall, short, or anywhere in between, and there is a smooth distribution of heights rather than distinct groups. This type of variation is called continuous because the traits can take on any value within a range, rather than being limited to specific categories.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Rabbits cannot survive in an aquatic habitat because they have no gills. Gills are specialized organs that allow fish and other aquatic animals to extract oxygen from water. Without gills, rabbits would be unable to breathe underwater and would quickly suffocate. Additionally, rabbits are not built for an aquatic lifestyle. They have short legs and are not adapted for swimming or propelling themselves through water. While they may be able to paddle around for a short period of time, they would eventually tire and be unable to keep themselves afloat. This is why rabbits are best suited to a terrestrial habitat where they can easily breathe and move around.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A nitrifying bacterium is a type of bacterium that is capable of converting nitrogen compounds from one form to another. Out of the options you provided, the correct nitrifying bacterium is Nitrobacter. Nitrobacter is a genus of bacteria that oxidizes nitrite (NO2-) to nitrate (NO3-). This process is called nitrification and is an important part of the nitrogen cycle in the environment.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Starch is the main and first product formed during photosynthesis because the simple sugar formed is partly used by the plant and excess of it is converted into starch immediately for storage and the starch is transported to other parts of the plant through the phloem vessels for storage.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The appendix is considered to be vestigial in humans but functional in other mammals. In humans, the appendix serves no known purpose and can become inflamed and cause pain (appendicitis), which often requires surgical removal. However, in other mammals such as cows and horses, the appendix serves as a fermentation chamber where beneficial bacteria can break down tough plant fibers into simpler sugars that can be easily absorbed. This process is important for their digestion and survival.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct answer is: "Fusion of sperm and egg nuclei" Fertilization is the process in which a male gamete (sperm) combines with a female gamete (egg or ovum) to form a zygote, which is the first cell of the new organism. In higher organisms, including humans, fertilization occurs when a sperm cell penetrates the outer membrane of the egg cell and fuses with the egg's nucleus, resulting in the fusion of genetic material from both the sperm and the egg. The other options listed are not examples of fertilization. - Pollen grain landing on a sticky stigma is a process called pollination, which occurs in plants. Pollen grains contain male gametes, but pollination is not the same as fertilization, as the male and female gametes do not actually combine until after the pollen tube grows down into the ovule and the sperm cells are released to fuse with the egg. - Ejaculation of the egg and pollen grain is not a biological process that occurs in any known organism. - Ejaculation of sperm into the female body is the first step in the process of fertilization, but it is not fertilization itself. The sperm must still reach and penetrate the egg to complete the process of fertilization.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Fats have the highest amount of energy in joules per unit weight compared to carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. This is because fats contain more carbon and hydrogen atoms than carbohydrates and proteins, and these atoms have a higher potential to release energy when they are broken down and burned during cellular respiration. One gram of fat provides about 9 calories (37.7 kJ) of energy, while one gram of carbohydrates or proteins provides only about 4 calories (16.7 kJ) of energy. Vitamins, on the other hand, are not significant sources of energy and play important roles in supporting various metabolic processes in the body. To put it simply, fats contain more energy per unit weight than other substances because they are made up of more energy-rich carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The insect trapping movements of the leaves of the Venus flytrap is a behavioral adaptation for obtaining food. The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant that is native to the southeastern United States. Its leaves are modified in a unique way to trap and digest insects. The leaves of the Venus flytrap are divided into two lobes that are hinged together. The leaves also have tiny trigger hairs on their inner surfaces. When an insect touches these trigger hairs, the lobes of the leaf snap shut, trapping the insect inside. The leaf then secretes digestive enzymes that break down the insect's body, providing the plant with nutrients it needs to survive. This behavior is an adaptation that allows the Venus flytrap to live in nutrient-poor soil environments. By being able to capture and digest insects, the Venus flytrap is able to supplement its diet with the nutrients it needs to survive. So, the correct answer is "obtaining food."

Maelezo ya Majibu

The components of glomerular filtrate are water, electrolytes (such as salts), small organic molecules (such as glucose and amino acids), and waste products (such as urea). Glomerular filtrate is formed in the kidneys and is the fluid that is filtered from the blood in the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels in the kidney. The filtrate contains all the components of blood except for plasma proteins and red and white blood cells. In other words, glomerular filtrate is the fluid that is filtered from the blood and contains all the components of the blood except for large proteins and cells. It is an important step in the process of urine formation, as the filtrate travels through the renal tubules, where it is further modified and waste products are removed to form urine.

Maelezo ya Majibu

A virus is often considered a living organism because it can reproduce inside living cells. This means that it uses the machinery of the host cell to make copies of itself. However, viruses do not have the ability to carry out all the processes of life, such as producing energy and growing on their own. They rely on the host cell to perform these functions for them. So, whether a virus is considered living or not is still a matter of debate among scientists.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Viruses are not the pathogens of Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While viruses can weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to other infections, including tuberculosis, the actual cause of tuberculosis is the bacterium, not a virus.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The pair of scientists who discovered the Rhesis factor in human blood is Landsteiner and Levine. Karl Landsteiner was an Austrian biologist and physician who is best known for his discovery of the ABO blood group system. In 1940, he and his colleague Alexander S. Wiener discovered the Rh factor, which is a protein that is found on the surface of red blood cells in some individuals and can cause an immune response in others. This discovery was a significant breakthrough in the field of blood transfusion and helped to reduce the risk of transfusion reactions in patients. Levine is likely a reference to Philip Levine, an American immunologist who worked with Landsteiner and Wiener at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York. Levine played a key role in the discovery of the Rh factor, conducting many of the experiments that helped to confirm the existence of the protein. Neither Hooke nor Darwin were involved in the discovery of the Rh factor in human blood. Robert Hooke was a 17th-century English scientist who made important contributions to the fields of microscopy, physics, and biology, while Charles Darwin was a 19th-century British naturalist who is best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection. In summary, the correct answer is Landsteiner and Levine, as they were the scientists who discovered the Rh factor in human blood.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The food supply will have the least effect on the rate of change of the numbers in a population. While food supply can impact the growth and survival of a population, it is less likely to cause rapid changes in population size compared to other factors such as disease, predation, and mutation. Disease, predation, and mutation can all have significant impacts on a population by affecting the survival and reproductive success of individuals, leading to changes in the overall population size. For example, a disease outbreak can reduce the number of individuals in a population, while predation can limit the growth of a population by preying on individuals. Mutations can also impact the population by changing the genetic makeup of the population and altering its ability to survive and reproduce. In conclusion, while food supply is important for maintaining a stable population, it is less likely to cause rapid changes in population size compared to other factors such as disease, predation, and mutation.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The cerebrum controls all voluntary actions. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for controlling movement, sensation, thought, and emotion. It is divided into two hemispheres, the left and the right, each of which controls different functions. The cerebrum is responsible for conscious decision making and voluntary movements, such as moving your arm or leg. The other options you listed, the olfactory lobes, hypothalamus, and pons varolii, have different functions in the brain. The olfactory lobes are responsible for the sense of smell, the hypothalamus controls basic functions like hunger and thirst, and the pons varolii is involved in breathing and other autonomic functions.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The movement of blood between the heart and all other parts of the body beside the lungs is called systemic circulation. In the systemic circulation, oxygenated blood flows from the heart to the body's organs and tissues, providing them with the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. After the oxygen has been used up by the cells, the blood carrying carbon dioxide and other waste products is then transported back to the heart to be pumped to the lungs, where it will be oxygenated again in the pulmonary circulation. The systemic circulation is a critical part of the body's overall circulatory system, which also includes the pulmonary circulation. Together, these two systems help to ensure that every part of the body has a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients and that waste products are efficiently removed from the body.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The process involved during expiration in humans that is not accurate is "The thoracic cavity first increases in volume." During expiration, the diaphragm, which is a muscle located at the bottom of the thoracic cavity, relaxes and moves upwards, decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity. At the same time, the intercostal muscles, located between the ribs, also relax, and the ribs move downward and inward, causing the chest to decrease in size. Additionally, the sternum moves outward, not inward, during expiration. These combined actions increase the pressure within the thoracic cavity, forcing air out of the lungs. Overall, expiration is a passive process that does not require the use of energy, and it is the opposite of inspiration, which is the process of taking air into the lungs.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Population frequency refers to the number of times an organism occurs within a given area of a habitat

Maelezo ya Majibu

The possession of chloroplast in Euglena viridis enables it to carry out photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and algae use sunlight to synthesize food (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water. Chloroplasts are organelles found in the cells of green plants and algae that contain the pigment chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight and is essential for photosynthesis. Euglena viridis is a unicellular organism that possesses chloroplasts, which enables it to harness sunlight to produce its own food through photosynthesis. Therefore, the answer is that the possession of chloroplast in Euglena viridis enables it to carry out photosynthesis.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The effect of using artificial pollination in plant breeding is "Improvement of the variety of crops". Artificial pollination is the process of manually transferring pollen from one flower to another to fertilize it, with the goal of producing hybrid plants with desirable traits. This allows plant breeders to combine traits from two different plants to create a new variety with improved qualities such as increased yield, disease resistance, and improved flavor. By using artificial pollination, plant breeders can control the genetics of the resulting offspring, leading to the creation of new crop varieties with improved traits. This can help to increase food production and improve the quality of crops, making them more resilient and better suited for different growing conditions.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Rate of transpiration is reduced in savannah forest due to thick barks of the trees in savannah forest.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The statement that describes the autonomic nervous system is "It affects glands, cardiac muscles, and smooth muscles." The autonomic nervous system is a branch of the nervous system that regulates involuntary body functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing. It is composed of two subdivisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating the activity of glands, such as sweat and salivary glands, as well as the contraction of cardiac and smooth muscles, which are found in the walls of organs and blood vessels. These activities are not under conscious control and are regulated by the autonomic nervous system in response to changes in the environment, such as stress or changes in temperature. In contrast, voluntary activities, such as moving our limbs or speaking, are controlled by the somatic nervous system, which is another branch of the nervous system.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The main organic molecule present in the nucleus is DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). DNA is the genetic material that contains the instructions for the development, function, growth, and reproduction of all living things. It is a long, double-stranded molecule that is organized into structures called chromosomes. The information in DNA is encoded in a sequence of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). This sequence determines the genetic code and controls the expression of genes, which are the functional units of heredity. In addition to DNA, the nucleus also contains other organic molecules, such as RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) and proteins, which play important roles in the regulation and expression of genetic information. However, DNA is the central and most critical molecule in the nucleus, as it carries the blueprint for life.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Among the options listed, clay has the highest water retaining capacity. This is because clay particles are very small and have a large surface area, allowing them to attract and hold onto water molecules tightly through a process called adsorption. Additionally, the spaces between the clay particles are very small, which creates a high capillary action that further helps the clay to retain water. In contrast, sand particles are much larger and have a lower surface area, which means that water molecules are less likely to adhere to them. Sand also has larger spaces between its particles, which results in a lower capillary action and less water retention. Loam and laterite fall somewhere in between clay and sand in terms of their water retention capabilities, depending on their specific composition.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Halophiles are organisms that thrive in high salt concentrations. The adaptations of halophile organisms to their environment are:
(a) The integrity of non-halophile macromolecules is compromised, and the flow of water out of the cell produces a Turgor effect. • (b) Moderate halophiles maintain their structures via the synthesis of compatible organic solutes. • (c) Extreme halophiles maintain their structures via equilibration of cellular and environmental salt concentrations.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The part labeled III in the diagram is Hyphae. Hyphae are thread-like structures that form the main body of a fungus. They grow in a network called mycelium, which is made up of many hyphae. Hyphae are responsible for absorbing nutrients and water from the environment and transporting them to the rest of the fungus. They also play a role in the reproduction of the fungus by producing spores. Hyphae can vary in size and shape, but they are typically very thin and can grow very long, allowing the fungus to spread over a large area.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Animals are said to be gregarious when they are of the same species and move together in a group. This behavior can be seen in various animals, such as wildebeests, zebras, and birds. There are different reasons why animals may exhibit gregarious behavior. One reason is for protection from predators. Being in a group makes it more difficult for a predator to target one individual. Animals in a group can also help defend against predators by displaying protective behaviors, such as giving an alarm to alert others when danger threatens. Another reason for gregarious behavior is for mating purposes. Some animals may form groups during breeding season, where males compete for females and display their dominance. So, the correct answer is "they are of the same species moving together in a group."

Maelezo ya Majibu

The structure that controls the activities of the living cell is the nucleus. The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains the genetic material (DNA) of the cell. It serves as the control center for the cell, directing all of its activities by regulating the expression of genes. The DNA in the nucleus provides the instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of the cell and carry out various functions in the body. The nucleus also plays a critical role in cell division, which is the process by which new cells are formed. During cell division, the DNA in the nucleus is replicated and then distributed to the daughter cells, ensuring that they each receive a complete set of genetic material. In summary, the nucleus is responsible for regulating gene expression and directing all of the activities of the cell. It is the structure that controls the fundamental processes of life, making it a vital organelle in all living organisms.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The organism that changes light energy into stored chemical energy in an ecosystem is the producer. Producers are typically plants and algae that use photosynthesis to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in the form of glucose (sugar). This stored energy is then used as a source of food and energy for other organisms in the ecosystem. Consumers, on the other hand, are organisms that consume producers or other consumers to obtain energy. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. Carnivores are consumers that eat other consumers. So, in summary, the producer is the organism that converts light energy into stored chemical energy, while consumers, decomposers, and carnivores obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Lymph is a fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. Its main function is to help defend the body against harmful substances, such as viruses and bacteria, by removing waste and debris from tissues and transporting it to the bloodstream for elimination. This makes option "Body defense" the correct answer.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Green plants are autotropic. This means that they are able to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to produce glucose, which is their source of energy. This characteristic sets plants apart from animals and other organisms that are heterotrophic and rely on other organisms for their food.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The period of inactivity seen in some animals during long periods of heat or drought is called aestivation. Aestivation is a type of dormancy, similar to hibernation, but it occurs in response to hot or dry conditions, while hibernation occurs in response to cold or food scarcity. During aestivation, animals reduce their metabolic activity and enter a state of deep sleep to conserve energy and water until more favorable conditions return. This strategy helps them survive harsh environmental conditions and avoid dehydration, which can be deadly in hot and dry environments. Some animals that undergo aestivation include certain snails, frogs, and turtles, as well as some mammals like the marsupial mouse and the fat-tailed dwarf lemur.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The raw materials required by green plants to manufacture their food are mainly inorganic substances. During photosynthesis, green plants use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a type of sugar that they use as food. The inorganic substances required for this process include carbon dioxide, water, and a few mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which the plants absorb from the soil through their roots. Although green plants do require fluids, such as water, and gases, such as carbon dioxide, for photosynthesis, these materials are considered inorganic because they do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, which are characteristic of organic molecules. Thus, the main raw materials required by green plants for photosynthesis are inorganic substances.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Secreting irritating fluid is a behavioural adaptation that keep/protects preys from predators.