All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Biology 2016 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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1. An example of an organism that exists as a colony is A. spirogyra B. paramecium C. euglena D. Volvox
Some organisms are made of similar cells which are joined together and cannot be differentiated from each other. This is known as a colony. Volvox and Pandorina are good examples of colonial organisms.
2. Gymnosperms bear naked seeds because they lack A. ovary B. colourful flowers C. pollen grains D. stigma
Gymnosperms do not bear enclosed seeds. Their seeds are borne on special structures known as cones (they lack an ovary).
3. DNA formation is associated with A. Golgi bodies B. lysosomes C. mitochondria D. nucleus
Within the nucleus is a small spherical body called nucleolus and chromatin materials which condense during cell division into chromosomes. The chromosomes are made up of DNA.
4. Study the diagram carefully (plants A and B) and answer questions 4 and 5. The term that can be used to describe what happened to plant A after seven hours is A. wilting B. competition C. transpiration D. osmosis
This is known as wilting. A plant undergoes wilting (becomes flaccid) when it has lost a great amount of water.
5. The environmental factors responsible for the condition in plant B are A. low humidity and low temperature B. high humidity and low temperature C. low humidity and high temperature D. high humidity and high temperature
Wilting may occur if there is little amount of water vapour in the air (low humidity) and when the temperature is high.
6. Hydra is considered to be at a tissue level of organization of life because it A. has numerous cells that perform different functions B. has developed organs and systems C. has poorly developed nervous system D. reproduces by budding
Hydra is considered to be at a tissue level of organization of life because it has numerous cells that perform different functions.
7. Study the diagrams below (I and II) and answer question 7 and 8. Which of the following statements about the diagrams is correct? A. They are both organs B. One of them is an organism C. They both form part of tissues D. They are both harmful to humans
I=Yeast cell forming buds; II=White blood cell. One of them (yeast) is an organism while the other is a cell.
8. A decrease in the number of II will result in A. an increase in urine production B. an increase in energy production C. a decreased population D. decreased Immunity
As white blood cells serve to protect the body, a decrease in the number of white blood cells will lower the immunity of the body.
9. Flaccidity in plants is associated with A. cessation of photosynthesis B. wilting C. turgidity D. discolouration of leaves
When the leaves of a plant become limp and flaccid, it is called wilting.
10. Which of the following substances is not usually present in the urine of a healthy person? A. Urea B. Mineral salts C. Glucose D. Water
The urine of a healthy person must not contain glucose because as the glomerular filtrate passes into the first convoluted tubule, all amino acids and glucose are reabsorbed into the body by blood capillaries surrounding the tubule.
11. Muscles act in opposite directions in order to A. cause a bone to move B. prevent dislocation at joints C. prevent muscle fatigue D. regulate bodily activities
Muscles act in opposite directions in order to cause a bone to move. For instance, to bend the arm at the elbow, the biceps contract while the triceps relax.
12. Lateral meristem in flowering plants is found in the A. cortex B. pericycle C. cambium D. pith
Secondary or lateral meristems, which are found in all woody plants and in some herbaceous ones, consist of the vascular cambium and the cork cambium.
13. The cells and tissues of the nose, throat, chest diaphragm and lungs form the A. circulatory system B. respiratory system C. transport system D. digestive system
The cells and tissues of the nose, throat, chest, diaphragm and lungs form the respiratory system.
14. The exchange of gases between the environment and the respiratory organs of vertebrates is referred to as A. inhalation B. respiration C. expiration D. breathing
This is simply regarded as breathing. The term respiration may refer to the catabolic process where energy is obtained from glucose.
15. The maintenance of a constant internal environment in an organism is known as A. homeostasis B. homoiothermic C. diuresis D. dialysis
The maintenance of a constant internal environment in an organism is known as homeostasis.
16. Which of the following organs is responsible for the production of insulin? A. Spleen B. Adrenal gland C. Thyroid gland D. Pancreas
Apart from its role in digestion, the pancreas also secretes hormones (insulin and glucagon) which help in the regulation of blood sugar.
17. Which of the following actions is not a voluntary action? A. Stealing B. Sneezing C. Fighting D. Cheating
Stealing, fighting and cheating are voluntary actions while sneezing is not.
18. In both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, the root hairs originate from the A. piliferous layer B. epidermal layer C. endodermal layer D. cortical layer
Lateral roots originate endogenously (from the pericycle) while root hairs are simply the outgrowths of epidermal cells.
19. Which of the following parts of the ear does not contain endolymph? A. Semi-circular canals B. Utriculus C. Tympanum D. Sacculus
Tympanum does not contain endolymph. Tympanum is another word for ear drum.
20. The type of placentation illustrated in the diagram below is: A. marginal B. parietal C. axile D. basal
The diagram represents basal placentation. In basal placentation, the ovules are attached to the base of a syncarpous ovary.
21. The steps below are involved in the testing of a leaf for starch. Study them carefully and answer questions 21 and 22. I. Decolorize leaf II. Dip decolorized leaf in warm water III. Place leaf in boiling water IV. Add iodine solution. The correct order for the test is A. I, II, II and IV B. I, II, II and IV C. II, III, I and IV D. III, I, II and IV
The correct order is III → I → II → IV (Place leaf in boiling water, then decolorize, then dip in warm water, then add iodine solution).
22. The best time to pluck the leaf for the experiment is A. after being exposed to sunlight B. three hours after sunset C. before sunrise D. six hours after sunset
This is to ensure that the leaf has already photosynthesized.
23. In which of the plant tissues are guard cells located? A. Epidermis B. Mesophyll C. Vascular bundles D. Meristems
Guard cells are located in the epidermis. It must be remembered that guard cells are the only epidermal cells that contain chloroplasts.
24. The association between two organisms in which one of the organism gains and the other loses is referred to as A. saprophytism B. commensalism C. mutualism D. parasitism
The type of association in which one organism gains and suffers harm is known as parasitism. The organism that gains is known as the parasite while the one that loses is known as the host.
25. The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to A. secrete gastric juice B. curdle milk C. emulsify fat D. increase the surface area for absorption
The function of the villi in the alimentary canal is to increase the surface area for absorption.
26. Which of the following structures is not an organ of the digestive system? A. Oesophagus B. Pancreas C. Stomach D. Kidney
Oesophagus, pancreas and stomach are parts of the digestive system while the kidney serves excretory roles.
27. The diagram below shows the effect of nitrate on water bodies. Study it carefully and answer question 27 to 29. The source of nitrates in the part labeled I is the A. root nodules of legumes B. cloud C. fertilizers D. organic matter
The source of nitrates in the soil may be from excessive use of fertilizers.
28. The phenomenon in the diagram is termed A. denitrification B. conservation C. eutrophication D. global warming
The phenomenon is known as eutrophication.
29. Another cause that could lead to phenomenon in the diagram is A. exhaust from cars B. oil spillage C. dumping of sewage D. excess rainfall
Dumping of sewage may also result in excessive algal growth which may clog up our water ways.
30. In ecology, a community refers to A. a number of individuals of a given species B. groups of different organisms living in a habitat C. existing species in an abandoned farmland D. the dominant species in the habitat
It refers to groups of different organisms living in a habitat. Note that when only organisms of a particular species are considered, we are describing population not community.
31. The direction of wind is determined by A. an anemometer B. a Secchi disc C. a wind vane D. a barometer
The wind vane is used to determine the direction of wind while anemometer measures the speed of the wind.
32. Food webs are complex because A. the number of producers are large B. many animals feed directly on producers C. they include primary, secondary and tertiary consumers D. some animals form part of several food chains
A food web is a complex feeding relationship consisting of interrelated food chains.
33. Special modifications which enable an organism to survive in its habitats known as A. adaptation B. tolerance C. mimicry D. colouration
Special modifications which enable an organism to survive in its habitat are known as adaptation. Note that the modification may be structural, functional or behavioural.
34. Which of the following relationships does not involve two organisms? A. Commensalism B. Saprophytism C. Symbiosis D. Parasitism
Saprophytism involves only one organism. In saprophytism, the organism obtains its nutrient from dead and decaying organic matter.
35. Overcrowding in a population does not result in A. death B. commensalism C. competition D. migration
Overcrowding may result in migration, competition and/or death.
36. A pandemic is an outbreak of diseases that A. is confined to a tow B. is widespread C. will not spread D. has limited spread
A pandemic is an outbreak of diseases that is widespread. Endemic disease, on the other hand, is peculiar to a particular area or region.
37. The rational and prudent use of natural resources is known as? A. preservation B. conservation C. utilization D. management
The rational and prudent use of natural resources is known as conservation.
38. Which of the following natural resources cannot be conserved? A. Soil B. Water C. Wildlife D. air
Since the rate at which air is used cannot be regulated, it cannot be conserved. Recall that 'renewability' and being able to be conserved are two different things.
39. Which of the following actions support conservation? To A. protect endangered species B. preserve trees for timber C. permit hunting activities D. provide income for the government
Protection of endangered species is one of the steps in the conservation of wild life.
40. A noticeable physical appearance of individuals of the same species is called A. physical variation B. physiological variation C. morphological variation D. discontinuous variation
This is known as morphological variation. The difference in the ways in which the body functions constitutes physiological variation.
41. A blend of inherited and acquired characteristics shows A. variation B. inheritance C. evolution D. heredity
Inherited characteristics come from gene while acquired characteristics come from the environment. This is why it is said that the phenotype of an organism depends on gene and environment.
42. A Cross between two parents produced four offspring with blood groups AB, BB, BO AO What is the blood group of their parents? A. AA and BO B. BB and AO C. AB and BO D. AB,and AO
A cross between AB and BO will produce AB, BB, BO and AO.
43. A sick baby was successfully transfused with blood from the father who has blood group AB, what is the group of the sick baby? A. AB B. A C. B D. O
Although AB is a universal recipient, it can only donate to another AB. So, for the father whose blood group is AB to successfully donate to a baby, the blood group of the baby must also be AB.
44. The illustration below represents a cross between a colour blind male and a normal female. Study it carefully and answer questions 44 and 45. What is the genotypic ratio of carrier female to normal males in the cross? A. 1:1 B. 2:3 C. 3:4 D. 4:1
The two females in the diagram are carriers while the two males are normal. Then, carrier female: normal male = 2:2 = 1:1.
45. Which of the genotypes are carriers of colour blindness? A. I and II only B. I and III only C. II and III only D. I, II and III only
As explained, only the two females (I & II) are carriers of colour blindness. The two males (III & IV) are normal.
46. Scientists who study genetics are known as A. genealogists B. geneticists C. mendelists D. genescientists
Scientists who study genetics are known as geneticists.
47. Which of the following scientists did not contribute to the development of genetics? A. Wilhem Johnson B. Thomas Morgan C. Gregor Mendel D. Felix Durjadin
The contribution of Felix Durjadin is in the Cell Theory. He was a French biologist who discovered that the cell was made up of living substance (which he called protoplasm).
48. Which of the following terms is associated with natural selection? A. Adaptive radiation B. Differential reproduction C. Population variability D. Survival of the fittest
Survival of the fittest is associated with natural selection.
49. In which of the following insects is group instinct not displayed? A. Soldier ants B. Cockroaches C. Honeybees D. Termites
Ants, honeybees and termites are social or group insects while cockroaches are not.
50. The inability of an organism to adapt to its habitat can lead to A. dormancy B. adaptation C. extinction D. survival
The inability of an organism to adapt to its habitat can lead to extinction.
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