WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2014 (Practical)
Swali 1 Ripoti
Observe specimens A, B, C and D closely and use them to answer questions 1(a) to 1(e).
(a)(i) Specimen A Into its division and class.
(ii) State three observable features of specimen A which are characteristics of the class mentioned in 1(a)(i) above.
(b) State the relationship between specimen A and: (i) specimen B; (ii) specimen C; (iii) specimen D.
(c)(i) From. your observations of specimens B and C, what type of plant is specimen A? (ii) Suggest the agent of pollination ot specimen B.
(iii) State two reasons for the answer in 1(c)(i) above.
(d) Classify specimen D fully according to origin and structure.
(e) Make a drawing 8 cm 10 cm long of specimen C and label fully.
(a)(i) Specimen A is classified as follows:
- Division: Angiospermophyta (Magnoliophyta)
- Class: Monocotyledoneae (Liliopsida)
(a)(ii) Observable features of A which are characteristic of monocotyledons are:
- It has narrow, elongated leaves.
- The leaves have parallel venation.
- It has fibrous roots.
- The base of each leaf forms a sheath around the stem.
(b)
- Specimen B is the male flower or male inflorescence (tassel) of specimen A.
- Specimen C is the female flower or female inflorescence (cob) of specimen A.
- Specimen D is the fruit, also called the grain or seed, of specimen A.
(c)(i) Specimen A is a monoecious plant.
(c)(ii) The agent of pollination of specimen B is wind.
(c)(iii) This is because the male inflorescence (B) and female inflorescence (C) are separate, but both occur on the same maize plant.
(d) Specimen D is a true, simple, dry, indehiscent fruit known as a caryopsis. Its pericarp is fused with the seed coat.
(e) Labelled drawing of specimen C, the female maize inflorescence (cob):
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a)(i) Specimen A is classified as follows:
- Division: Angiospermophyta (Magnoliophyta)
- Class: Monocotyledoneae (Liliopsida)
(a)(ii) Observable features of A which are characteristic of monocotyledons are:
- It has narrow, elongated leaves.
- The leaves have parallel venation.
- It has fibrous roots.
- The base of each leaf forms a sheath around the stem.
(b)
- Specimen B is the male flower or male inflorescence (tassel) of specimen A.
- Specimen C is the female flower or female inflorescence (cob) of specimen A.
- Specimen D is the fruit, also called the grain or seed, of specimen A.
(c)(i) Specimen A is a monoecious plant.
(c)(ii) The agent of pollination of specimen B is wind.
(c)(iii) This is because the male inflorescence (B) and female inflorescence (C) are separate, but both occur on the same maize plant.
(d) Specimen D is a true, simple, dry, indehiscent fruit known as a caryopsis. Its pericarp is fused with the seed coat.
(e) Labelled drawing of specimen C, the female maize inflorescence (cob):
Swali 2 Ripoti
Study specimens L, M and N carefully and use them to answer questions 4(a) to 4(c).
(a)(i) State the habitats of specimens L, M and N.
(ii) State the modes of nutrition of specimens L. M and N.
(iii) Explain how each of specimens Land M are adapted to their modes of feeding.
(b)(i) Describe briefly the relationship that exists among specimens L, M and N.
(ii) State two ways in which specimen M is of economic importance.
(iii) State one way in which specimen M can be controlled.
(c) Make a drawing 8cm - 10cm long of specimen M and label fully.
(a)(i) Habitats
- L (grass): grassland, farmland or garden.
- M (grasshopper): grassland, farmland, garden or field.
- N (saprophytic fungus): moist or damp soil, decaying wood, decaying tree trunks, pastures or meadows.
(a)(ii) Modes of nutrition
- L: autotrophic, holophytic or photosynthetic nutrition.
- M: heterotrophic, holozoic nutrition.
- N: saprophytic nutrition.
(a)(iii) Adaptations to feeding
- Specimen L: It has broad green leaves containing chlorophyll for trapping sunlight during photosynthesis. Its roots absorb water and mineral salts needed for food manufacture.
- Specimen M: It possesses strong biting and chewing mouthparts, especially the mandibles and maxillae, for cutting and chewing grass and other plant materials.
(b)(i) Relationship among L, M and N
Specimen L is a producer and provides food, as well as shelter, for specimen M. Specimen M feeds on specimen L. When L and M die, specimen N decomposes their remains. The decomposition releases mineral nutrients into the soil for use by L. Thus, the specimens are linked in a food chain and nutrient cycle.
(b)(ii) Economic importance of specimen M
- It is edible and may serve as a source of food and income.
- It is a crop pest that destroys plants and reduces crop yield.
(b)(iii) Control of specimen M
Control it by spraying the affected crops with a suitable insecticide or pesticide.
(c) Labelled drawing of specimen M
Title: Grasshopper
A full lateral-view drawing, 8 cm to 10 cm long, carries the following labels: antenna, compound eye, head, mandible, thorax, fore wing (tegmen), hind wing, fore leg, middle leg, enlarged hind femur, hind tibia, tarsus, spiracles, segmented abdomen and ovipositor.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a)(i) Habitats
- L (grass): grassland, farmland or garden.
- M (grasshopper): grassland, farmland, garden or field.
- N (saprophytic fungus): moist or damp soil, decaying wood, decaying tree trunks, pastures or meadows.
(a)(ii) Modes of nutrition
- L: autotrophic, holophytic or photosynthetic nutrition.
- M: heterotrophic, holozoic nutrition.
- N: saprophytic nutrition.
(a)(iii) Adaptations to feeding
- Specimen L: It has broad green leaves containing chlorophyll for trapping sunlight during photosynthesis. Its roots absorb water and mineral salts needed for food manufacture.
- Specimen M: It possesses strong biting and chewing mouthparts, especially the mandibles and maxillae, for cutting and chewing grass and other plant materials.
(b)(i) Relationship among L, M and N
Specimen L is a producer and provides food, as well as shelter, for specimen M. Specimen M feeds on specimen L. When L and M die, specimen N decomposes their remains. The decomposition releases mineral nutrients into the soil for use by L. Thus, the specimens are linked in a food chain and nutrient cycle.
(b)(ii) Economic importance of specimen M
- It is edible and may serve as a source of food and income.
- It is a crop pest that destroys plants and reduces crop yield.
(b)(iii) Control of specimen M
Control it by spraying the affected crops with a suitable insecticide or pesticide.
(c) Labelled drawing of specimen M
Title: Grasshopper
A full lateral-view drawing, 8 cm to 10 cm long, carries the following labels: antenna, compound eye, head, mandible, thorax, fore wing (tegmen), hind wing, fore leg, middle leg, enlarged hind femur, hind tibia, tarsus, spiracles, segmented abdomen and ovipositor.
Swali 3 Ripoti
(a) Study specimens E and F carefully and use them to answer questions 2(a)(i) to 2(a)(ii).
(i) State the Class to which each of specimens E and F belong.
(ii) List four observable features each of specimens E and F.
(iii) State how each of the observed features in 2(a)(i) adapt each of specimens E and F to their habitats.
(b) Study specimen G and use it to answer questions 2(b)(i) to 2(b)(ii).
(i) Classify specimen G into its phylum and class.
(ii) State four observable features of specimen C.
(iii) Name one habitat of specimen C.
(a)(i) Class of each specimen: Specimen E belongs to Class Mammalia; Specimen F belongs to Class Aves.
(a)(ii) Four observable features of each
Specimen E (rat): body covered with fur/hair; external ears (pinna); presence of whiskers; heterodont dentition; pentadactyl limbs ending in claws; mammary glands. Specimen F (bird): body covered with feathers; mouth modified into a beak; fore-limbs modified into wings; legs covered with horny scales; a streamlined body.
(a)(iii) How the features adapt each specimen to its habitat
Specimen E: the enlarged pinna traps sound waves; whiskers detect vibrations and help it feel its way through burrows; the narrow body with folded limbs eases movement through burrows; the long muscular hind limbs allow hopping; sharp incisors (heterodont dentition) nibble vegetation; clawed limbs are used for digging; the fur regulates body temperature. Specimen F: the fore-limbs modified into wings enable flight; the streamlined body reduces resistance during flight; the feathers regulate body temperature and the tail feathers steer and balance the body; the beak is adapted for feeding; the clawed digits scratch for food; and the laterally placed eyes give a wide field of vision.
(b)(i) Classification of Specimen G: Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta.
(b)(ii) Four observable features of Specimen G (mud-dauber wasp): the abdomen is constricted into a narrow waist; two pairs of membranous wings with the fore-wings larger than the hind-wings and linked by hooklets; the body has three divisions (head, thorax and abdomen) and is segmented and bilaterally symmetrical; three pairs of jointed thoracic legs; a pair of antennae; a pair of compound eyes; and an exoskeleton of chitin.
(b)(iii) Habitat of Specimen G: a mud nest built on the ceiling or wall of buildings.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a)(i) Class of each specimen: Specimen E belongs to Class Mammalia; Specimen F belongs to Class Aves.
(a)(ii) Four observable features of each
Specimen E (rat): body covered with fur/hair; external ears (pinna); presence of whiskers; heterodont dentition; pentadactyl limbs ending in claws; mammary glands. Specimen F (bird): body covered with feathers; mouth modified into a beak; fore-limbs modified into wings; legs covered with horny scales; a streamlined body.
(a)(iii) How the features adapt each specimen to its habitat
Specimen E: the enlarged pinna traps sound waves; whiskers detect vibrations and help it feel its way through burrows; the narrow body with folded limbs eases movement through burrows; the long muscular hind limbs allow hopping; sharp incisors (heterodont dentition) nibble vegetation; clawed limbs are used for digging; the fur regulates body temperature. Specimen F: the fore-limbs modified into wings enable flight; the streamlined body reduces resistance during flight; the feathers regulate body temperature and the tail feathers steer and balance the body; the beak is adapted for feeding; the clawed digits scratch for food; and the laterally placed eyes give a wide field of vision.
(b)(i) Classification of Specimen G: Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta.
(b)(ii) Four observable features of Specimen G (mud-dauber wasp): the abdomen is constricted into a narrow waist; two pairs of membranous wings with the fore-wings larger than the hind-wings and linked by hooklets; the body has three divisions (head, thorax and abdomen) and is segmented and bilaterally symmetrical; three pairs of jointed thoracic legs; a pair of antennae; a pair of compound eyes; and an exoskeleton of chitin.
(b)(iii) Habitat of Specimen G: a mud nest built on the ceiling or wall of buildings.
