Question

[Biology Practical — Section B]
3(a)(i). State the Type of fruit of specimens L/orange fruit, M/coconut and N/chilli pepper.
3(a)(ii). State the life cycle of specimens L, M and N.
3(b). State the observable structural differences between: (i) specimens L and M; (ii) specimens L and N.
3(c). State three observable similarities between specimens L and N.
3(d). Make a drawing/diagram of the L.S. of specimen N/chilli pepper and label fully.
3(e)(i). State the mode of dispersal of specimen L/orange fruit.
3(e)(ii). State the placentation of specimen L/orange fruit.
3(f). State one economic importance of specimen N/chilli pepper.

Accepted Answer

(a)(i) Type of fruit: L (orange fruit): Berry/hesperidium; M (coconut): Drupe; N (chilli pepper): Berry.
(ii) Life cycle: L: perennial; M: perennial; N: biennial/perennial.

(b)(i) Differences between L (orange) and M (coconut): L is succulent/fleshy while M has fibres/hard fibres; L has more than one seed/many seeds while M has one seed/one seeded; L is soft/succulent while M is stony/hard endocarp; L has many chambers/locules while M has one chamber/locule; L is soft to touch while M is hard to touch; L's mesocarp is soft/leathery while M's mesocarp is fibrous; L has axile placentation while M has basal placentation; L has glands present while M has glands absent.
(ii) Differences between L (orange) and N (chilli pepper): L has succulent fleshy fibres while N's succulent fibres are absent; L has bigger seeds while N has smaller seeds; L has less seeds while N has more seeds; L is spherical/round while N is elongated; L has axile placentation while N has free central placentation; L has scattered seeds while N has seeds clustered; L is juicy/has juice present while N is not juicy/dry; L has glands present while N has glands absent; L has calyx absent while N has calyx present.

(c) Similarities between specimens L and N: both possess seeds; both have two scars; both have pericarp (epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp).

(d) Drawing of the L.S. of specimen N (chilli pepper) should show and label: Pedicle/Pedicel, Calyx/Sepal, Epicarp, Mesocarp, Endocarp, Placenta, Seed, Loculus/Locule, Apex. (Drawn 'Not Drawn to Scale', with Title, Quality — clarity of lines, size 8-10cm, neatness of labels, magnification, and details such as thin epicarp shown with double lines, at least two seeds shown, elongated end with tapering apex.)

(e)(i) Mode of dispersal of specimen L (orange fruit): Animal/Man.
(ii) Placentation of specimen L (orange fruit): Axile.

(f) Economic importance of specimen N (chilli pepper): used for cooking/used as spice; source of food; for medicinal purposes; source of income.

WAEC Biology 2023 Theory — Question 11

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