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Post-UTME Biology 2016 Objective Past Questions

All 20 questions from the Post-UTME Screening (Post-UTME) Biology 2016 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.

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Biology 2016 Objective — Question 1

Investigation of respiration in green plants is carried out in the dark because

  • A. respiration occurs in plants only in the dark
  • B. light is destructive to potted plants
  • C. respiration is faster than photosynthesis in the presence of light
  • D. carbon dioxide released in the presence of light is used up in photosynthesisCorrect

Explanation

In the light, plants photosynthesise, consuming the CO2 released by respiration, which would mask/interfere with measuring respiration alone. Working in the dark removes photosynthesis from the picture.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 2

Reabsorption of chemical solutes in the kidney takes place in the

  • A. Bowman's capsule
  • B. tubulesCorrect
  • C. glomerulus
  • D. nephron

Explanation

Reabsorption of useful solutes (glucose, salts, water) occurs along the renal tubules (proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule).

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 3

A flower whose wall - all its carpels or ovaries - fused together is described as

  • A. syncarpousCorrect
  • B. apocarpous
  • C. monocarpous
  • D. polycarpous

Explanation

A syncarpous flower has its carpels (ovaries) fused together into a single compound ovary.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 4

The crown of leaves on a pineapple fruit is known as

  • A. offsetCorrect
  • B. suckers
  • C. runners
  • D. bulbils

Explanation

The tuft of leaves at the top of a pineapple fruit is commonly referred to as the crown/offset, which can be used for vegetative propagation.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 5

Coconut is dispersed mainly by

  • A. wind
  • B. explosive mechanism
  • C. water currentCorrect
  • D. birds

Explanation

Coconuts have a fibrous, buoyant husk that allows them to float and be dispersed by ocean/water currents.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 6

Use the diagram (a seed with parts labelled I, II, III, IV) to answer this question and the next. Which number represents the structure that will develop into stem and leaves?

  • A. I
  • B. IICorrect
  • C. III
  • D. IV

Explanation

The plumule is the embryonic structure that develops into the stem and leaves of the seedling; it is typically the second labelled part in such seed diagrams.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 7

The diagram represents a

  • A. monocot endospermous seed
  • B. monocot non-endospermous seed
  • C. dicot endospermous seed
  • D. dicot non-endospermous seedCorrect

Explanation

A seed with two large cotyledons and no separate endosperm tissue (food stored directly in the cotyledons) is characteristic of a dicot non-endospermous seed, e.g. a bean seed.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 8

The most important conditions necessary for seed germination are

  • A. water, temperature and oxygenCorrect
  • B. water, temperature and carbon dioxide
  • C. oxygen, water and carbon dioxide
  • D. oxygen, temperature and carbon dioxide

Explanation

Seed germination requires adequate water, a suitable temperature, and oxygen for respiration to fuel growth.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 9

The growth of pollen tube down the style to the embryo sac is an example of

  • A. thigmotropism
  • B. hydrotropism
  • C. geotropism
  • D. chemotropismCorrect

Explanation

The pollen tube grows in response to chemical signals released by the ovule, an example of chemotropism.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 10

The part of the brain which controls intellectual functions is called

  • A. medulla oblongata
  • B. cerebrumCorrect
  • C. cerebellum
  • D. olfactory lobe

Explanation

The cerebrum is responsible for higher intellectual functions such as reasoning, memory and learning.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 11

The part of the eye that controls the amount of light entering through the pupil is the

  • A. irisCorrect
  • B. aqueous humour
  • C. cornea
  • D. eye lash

Explanation

The iris adjusts the size of the pupil to control how much light enters the eye.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 12

The presence of bacteria in the caecum of many herbivores is an example of

  • A. parasitism
  • B. commensalism
  • C. saprophytism
  • D. symbiosisCorrect

Explanation

The bacteria help herbivores digest cellulose while gaining a habitat and nutrients themselves - a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 13

The most important physical factors which affect all plants and animals in a terrestrial habitat are

  • A. temperature and rainfallCorrect
  • B. salinity and water current
  • C. temperature and turbidity
  • D. rainfall and pH

Explanation

Temperature and rainfall are the two most influential abiotic (physical) factors affecting organisms in terrestrial habitats.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 14

Microscopic green alga - zooplankton - barnacle - Starfish. Which of the organisms in the above food chain has the highest total biomass?

  • A. Microscopic green algaCorrect
  • B. Zooplankton
  • C. Barnacle
  • D. Starfish

Explanation

Producers (microscopic green algae) form the base of the food chain/pyramid and typically have the greatest total biomass.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 15

One effective means of reducing intra-specific competition in a population is to

  • A. decrease the resources competed for
  • B. increase the resources competed forCorrect
  • C. increase the number of competitors
  • D. increase the number of species in the community

Explanation

Increasing the available resources reduces the intensity of competition among members of the same species for those resources.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 16

Use the diagram below (a population growth curve, number of organisms against time, with phases labelled I to V) to answer this question and the next. The area with the highest growth rate is labelled

  • A. V
  • B. IV
  • C. IIICorrect
  • D. I

Explanation

The steepest part of a typical sigmoid population growth curve (the exponential growth phase) represents the highest growth rate.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 17

Environmental resistance is greatest at

  • A. II
  • B. III
  • C. IV
  • D. VCorrect

Explanation

Environmental resistance (factors limiting population growth) becomes greatest as the population approaches and reaches its carrying capacity, near the plateau of the curve.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 18

In a forest habitat, emergents are best described as the

  • A. layer of shrubs
  • B. ground layer of shade-loving plants
  • C. layer of tall trees towering above others at intervalsCorrect
  • D. layer of small trees of less than 10 metres tall

Explanation

Emergents are the tallest trees in a forest, whose crowns rise above the main canopy layer at intervals.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 19

Conservation of natural resources can be achieved by

  • A. cattle grazing
  • B. annual bush burning
  • C. changing mining techniques
  • D. establishment of forest reservesCorrect

Explanation

Establishing forest reserves protects natural habitats and resources from overexploitation, aiding conservation.

Biology 2016 Objective — Question 20

Which of the following is readily available to plants in the soil?

  • A. Gravitational water
  • B. Hygroscopic water
  • C. Capillary waterCorrect
  • D. Run-off water

Explanation

Capillary water is held in the soil by surface tension against gravity and is the main form of water readily available for plant uptake.

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