Biology past questions and answers to help you prepare:
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Biology exam is a critical part of secondary education for many students in West Africa. Proper preparation is key, and one of the best ways to study is by reviewing past questions and answers. This blog post explores common patterns in WAEC Biology Past Questions and Answers exams and provides tips on how to use past questions effectively.
Why Study WAEC Biology Past Questions and Answers?
Past questions are invaluable because they:
- Reveal Exam Patterns: They help you understand the structure of the exam, recurring topics, and the style of questions.
- Highlight Key Topics: WAEC often revisits certain themes, such as human physiology, genetics, and ecology.
- Boost Confidence: Practicing with past questions reduces anxiety as you become familiar with the exam format.
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SECTION 1, BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Define osmosis.
Answer: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
2. What is the function of the chloroplast in plants?
Answer: The chloroplast is responsible for photosynthesis, allowing plants to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
3. List two differences between arteries and veins.
Answer:
- Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood toward the heart.
- Arteries have thick elastic walls, while veins have thinner walls with valves.
4. Name three components of an ecosystem.
Answer: Biotic factors (e.g., plants and animals), abiotic factors (e.g., water, soil), and energy sources (e.g., sunlight).
5. What is the main function of the xylem in plants?
Answer: The xylem transports water and dissolved minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant.
6. State two differences between mitosis and meiosis.
Answer:
- Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four genetically diverse cells.
- Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, while meiosis occurs in gametes.
7. What are enzymes?
Answer: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed.
8. Mention three adaptations of desert plants.
Answer:
- Thick waxy cuticle to reduce water loss.
- Deep or extensive root systems for water absorption.
- Reduced or modified leaves (e.g., spines) to minimize transpiration.
9. What is the role of the liver in the human body?
Answer:
- Detoxification of harmful substances.
- Production of bile for fat digestion.
- Storage of glycogen.
10. Name the male and female gametes in humans.
Answer:
- Male gamete: Sperm.
- Female gamete: Egg (ovum).
11. Define photosynthesis.
Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
12. State one importance of the nitrogen cycle.
Answer: The nitrogen cycle ensures the availability of nitrogen in forms usable by plants and animals, which is essential for protein synthesis.
13. List two differences between plant and animal cells.
Answer:
- Plant cells have a cell wall; animal cells do not.
- Plant cells contain chloroplasts; animal cells do not.
14. What is pollination?
Answer: Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same or another flower.
15. State the main function of the red blood cells.
Answer: Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.
16. What is a food chain?
Answer: A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next, showing the flow of energy in an ecosystem.
17. Mention two types of reproduction.
Answer:
- Sexual reproduction.
- Asexual reproduction.
18. Define habitat.
Answer: A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives and thrives.
19. List two causes of environmental pollution.
Answer:
- Industrial waste.
- Excessive use of pesticides.
SECTION 2, BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
20. Name three diseases caused by virus
Answer:
- Influenza.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Measles.
21. What is a symbiotic relationship?
Answer: A symbiotic relationship is a close and long-term biological interaction between two different species, where at least one benefits.
22. Mention two examples of symbiotic relationships.
Answer:
- Lichen (algae and fungi).
- Rhizobium bacteria in the root nodules of legumes.
23. State three differences between monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.
Answer:
- Monocots have parallel venation, while dicots have reticulate venation.
- Monocots have one cotyledon, while dicots have two cotyledons.
- Monocots have fibrous roots, while dicots have a taproot system.
24. What is transpiration in plants?
Answer: Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from the aerial parts of a plant, mainly through the stomata.
25. Name three types of muscles in the human body.
Answer:
- Skeletal muscles.
- Smooth muscles.
- Cardiac muscles.
26. State the role of stomata in plants.
Answer: Stomata control gas exchange and water loss in plants through transpiration.
27. What is biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, in a particular habitat or on Earth.
28. Mention three examples of abiotic factors.
Answer:
- Temperature.
- Light.
- Soil.
29. Define fermentation.
Answer: Fermentation is the breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen to produce energy, alcohol, or lactic acid.
30. Name the two main types of respiration.
Answer:
- Aerobic respiration.
- Anaerobic respiration.
31. What is excretion?
Answer: Excretion is the process by which metabolic waste products are eliminated from the body of an organism.
32. List two excretory organs in humans and their waste products.
Answer:
- Kidneys: Urea, water, and salts.
- Lungs: Carbon dioxide and water vapor.
33. What is a vector in biology?
Answer: A vector is an organism that transmits pathogens from one host to another.
34. Give two examples of vectors.
Answer:
- Mosquito (e.g., Anopheles transmits malaria).
- Tsetse fly (transmits sleeping sickness).
35. Define diffusion.
Answer: Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.
36. Mention three diseases caused by bacteria.
Answer:
- Tuberculosis.
- Cholera.
- Typhoid fever.
37. What is the function of the placenta during pregnancy?
Answer:
- Exchange of nutrients and waste between mother and fetus.
- Production of hormones to support pregnancy.
38. Name the three domains of life.
Answer:
- Archaea.
- Bacteria.
- Eukarya.
39. State two functions of the skin in humans.
Answer:
- Regulation of body temperature.
- Protection against pathogens and physical injury.
SECTION 3, BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
40. What are hormones?
Answer: Hormones are chemical substances produced by endocrine glands that regulate various physiological processes in the body.
41. What is the importance of photosynthesis?
Answer:
- It produces oxygen necessary for respiration.
- It forms the basis of the food chain by providing energy for other organisms.
42. Name three methods of seed dispersal.
Answer:
- Wind dispersal.
- Animal dispersal.
- Water dispersal.
43. State three functions of the skeletal system in humans.
Answer:
- Provides support and shape to the body.
- Protects internal organs (e.g., the skull protects the brain).
- Aids in movement by serving as an attachment for muscles.
44. Define pollution.
Answer: Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment, causing damage to living organisms and ecosystems.
45. What is the main function of white blood cells?
Answer: White blood cells help protect the body against infections by destroying pathogens.
46. Name three organs in the digestive system.
Answer:
- Stomach.
- Small intestine.
- Liver.
47. What is ecological succession?
Answer: Ecological succession is the natural process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, involving the gradual replacement of one community by another.
48. State two types of ecological succession.
Answer:
- Primary succession.
- Secondary succession.
49. What are decomposers?
Answer: Decomposers are organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
50. Mention three parts of the human ear.
Answer:
- Outer ear.
- Middle ear.
- Inner ear.
51. What is the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?
Answer: Hemoglobin binds to oxygen and transports it from the lungs to the body tissues and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
52. State two differences between fish and amphibians.
Answer:
- Fish have gills for breathing, while amphibians have lungs and skin for breathing.
- Fish have scales, while amphibians have moist, smooth skin.
53. What is a trophic level?
Answer: A trophic level is a position in a food chain or ecological pyramid occupied by a group of organisms with similar feeding modes.
54. Mention three abiotic factors that affect organisms in a terrestrial habitat.
Answer:
- Temperature.
- Soil type.
- Light intensity.
55. Name three processes involved in the water cycle.
Answer:
- Evaporation.
- Condensation.
- Precipitation.
56. What is a pathogen?
Answer: A pathogen is a microorganism that causes disease, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
57. List two examples of parasitic plants.
Answer:
- Mistletoe.
- Dodder.
58. What is homeostasis?
Answer: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment within an organism despite external changes.
59. Name the two main types of fertilization.
Answer:
- Internal fertilization.
- External fertilization.
SECTION 4, BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
60. What is the importance of protein in the diet?
Answer:
- It is essential for growth and repair of tissues.
- It is involved in the production of enzymes and hormones.
61. What is a gene?
Answer: A gene is the basic unit of heredity; it is a segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait.
62. Name three functions of water in living organisms.
Answer:
- Acts as a medium for chemical reactions.
- Helps in temperature regulation.
- Facilitates the transport of nutrients and waste products.
63. Define plasmolysis.
Answer: Plasmolysis is the process in which the cytoplasm of a plant cell shrinks away from the cell wall due to the loss of water through osmosis.
64. Mention three examples of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Answer:
- Gonorrhea.
- Syphilis.
- HIV/AIDS.
65. What is a reflex action?
Answer: Reflex action is an automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus, such as pulling your hand away from a hot object.
66. List two examples of reflex actions in humans.
Answer:
- Blinking of the eyes.
- Withdrawal of a hand from a hot surface.
67. Define autotrophs and give an example.
Answer: Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using sunlight or inorganic substances. Example: Green plants.
68. Mention two functions of the pancreas in humans.
Answer:
- Produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
- Secretes digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and protease.
69. What is adaptation?
Answer: Adaptation is the process by which organisms develop traits that enhance their survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
70. List three types of adaptations.
Answer:
- Structural adaptation.
- Behavioral adaptation.
- Physiological adaptation.
71. What is the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil?
Answer: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms (like nitrates and ammonium) that plants can absorb and use.
72. Name three examples of insect-pollinated flowers.
Answer:
- Rose.
- Sunflower.
- Hibiscus.
73. Define mutation.
Answer: Mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism’s genome.
74. Mention two types of mutation.
Answer:
- Gene mutation.
- Chromosomal mutation.
75. State two effects of deforestation on the environment.
Answer:
- Loss of biodiversity.
- Increase in greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change.
76. What is double fertilization in plants?
Answer: Double fertilization is a process in flowering plants where one sperm cell fertilizes the egg cell to form a zygote, while another sperm cell fuses with two polar nuclei to form the endosperm.
77. Mention three types of asexual reproduction.
Answer:
- Binary fission.
- Budding.
- Spore formation.
78. What is genetic variation?
Answer: Genetic variation refers to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population.
79. Name three factors that can cause genetic variation.
Answer:
- Mutation.
- Crossing over during meiosis.
- Random fertilization.
SECTION 5, BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
80. What is the function of the large intestine in humans?
Answer: The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food and forms and stores feces.
81. What is a tissue?
Answer: A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
82. Mention two types of plant tissues and their functions.
Answer:
- Xylem: Transports water and minerals.
- Phloem: Transports food and nutrients.
83. Define trophic level and give an example.
Answer: A trophic level is the position an organism occupies in a food chain. Example: Primary producers (e.g., grass).
84. Name two types of plant hormones.
Answer:
- Auxins.
- Gibberellins.
85. What is the difference between epigeal and hypogeal germination?
Answer:
- In epigeal germination, the cotyledons are lifted above the soil.
- In hypogeal germination, the cotyledons remain below the soil.
86. Name three types of ecological relationships.
Answer:
- Predation.
- Parasitism.
- Mutualism.
87. Define heredity.
Answer: Heredity is the passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring.
88. Mention two types of chromosomes.
Answer:
- Autosomes.
- Sex chromosomes.
89. What is the importance of mitosis in living organisms?
Answer:
- Growth and development.
- Repair of damaged tissues.
- Asexual reproduction in some organisms.
90. Name three components of blood.
Answer:
- Red blood cells.
- White blood cells.
- Platelets.
91. Define an ecosystem.
Answer: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
92. Mention two differences between photosynthesis and respiration.
Answer:
- Photosynthesis occurs in plants, while respiration occurs in all living organisms.
- Photosynthesis stores energy, while respiration releases energy.
93. What is a seed?
Answer: A seed is a fertilized ovule that contains an embryo and can develop into a new plant.
94. Name two diseases caused by protozoa.
Answer:
- Malaria.
- Amoebic dysentery.
95. Define a balanced diet.
Answer: A balanced diet is a meal that contains all the essential nutrients in the right proportions for maintaining good health.
96. Mention three components of a balanced diet.
Answer:
- Carbohydrates.
- Proteins.
- Vitamins.
97. What is eutrophication?
Answer: Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae in water bodies due to the presence of too many nutrients, leading to oxygen depletion.
98. State two functions of the kidney in humans.
Answer:
- Filtration of waste products from the blood.
- Regulation of water and electrolyte balance.
99. Define vaccination.
Answer: Vaccination is the introduction of a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen into the body to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies.
100. Mention three factors affecting enzyme activity.
Answer:
- Temperature.
- pH level.
- Substrate concentration.
That’s 100 questions and answers! Let me know if you need anything else to support your preparation on the comments section.
Tips for Studying Past Questions
- Practice Under Exam Conditions: Simulate the exam environment by timing yourself and answering without interruptions.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify topics where you struggle and dedicate more time to mastering them.
- Use Marking Schemes: Review answers from marking schemes to understand what examiners expect.
- Group Study: Discussing questions with peers can help clarify difficult concepts.
- Consult a Teacher or Tutor: Seek guidance if you’re unsure about specific answers or topics.
Remember…
Success in the WAEC Biology exam requires consistency, practice, and a deep understanding of fundamental concepts. Past questions and answers serve as a roadmap to achieving excellent results. Start early, study smart, and remember to cover all areas of the syllabus.
Good luck with your preparation! Have you found any past questions particularly challenging or helpful? Share them in the comments, and let’s discuss!