JAMB Biology 2014

27 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 4

The lowest level of organization in living organisms is

  1. organ
  2. cell
  3. system
  4. tissue
Answer and explanation

B: cell

The cell is the smallest organisational level listed that can function as a basic unit of life. Tissues comprise cells, organs comprise tissues and organ systems contain cooperating organs.

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Question 6

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The organs for attachments to the lining of the host's intestine are labelled

  1. II and III
  2. III and IV
  3. I and II
  4. I and III

Question 7

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The young proglottid is represented by

  1. III
  2. IV
  3. I
  4. II

Question 8

Which of the following organisms is multi-cellular?

  1. Chlamydomonas
  2. Spirogyra
  3. Amoeba
  4. Euglena
Answer and explanation

B: Spirogyra

Spirogyra forms filaments containing many cells joined end to end. The other listed organisms are ordinarily single-celled forms, despite differences in their organelles and nutrition.

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Question 9

In bryophytes, sex organs are produced in the

  1. protonema
  2. sporophyte
  3. gametophyte
  4. rhizoid
Answer and explanation

C: gametophyte

Bryophyte antheridia and archegonia are borne by the haploid gametophyte. The diploid sporophyte produces spores and typically remains attached to the gametophyte.

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Question 10

Which listed seed-related feature contributes to the success of seed plants on land?

  1. their motile gametes
  2. their ability to photosynthesize
  3. efficient seed dispersal
  4. availability of water
Answer and explanation

C: efficient seed dispersal

Seeds protect an embryo and can aid dispersal and survival through unfavourable conditions. Efficient dispersal is one important contributor to the success of seed plants on land.

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Question 11

Which listed group includes many familiar tree-dwelling, or arboreal, animals?

  1. Elephant
  2. Fish
  3. Antelope
  4. Bird
Answer and explanation

D: Bird

Many birds live, rest or nest in trees and are described as arboreal. The term describes a tree-associated way of life rather than the ability to fly alone.

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Question 14

I 2⁄1 , c 0⁄0, pm 3⁄2, m 3⁄3. The general formula above represents that of

  1. an omnivore
  2. a detritus feeder
  3. a carnivore
  4. a herbivore
Answer and explanation

D: a herbivore

The formula with no canines, additional upper incisors and numerous cheek teeth is characteristic of a rabbit, a herbivore. The cheek teeth process plant material.

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Question 16

In vascular plants, the sieve tubes and companion cells are present in the

  1. cambium
  2. cortex
  3. xylem
  4. phloem
Answer and explanation

D: phloem

Sieve-tube elements and companion cells are components of angiosperm phloem. They work together in moving sugars and other organic solutes between plant organs.

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Question 17

The stomata of leaves are similar in function to the

  1. pharynx of humans
  2. scales of fish
  3. spiracle of insects
  4. trachea of toads
Answer and explanation

C: spiracle of insects

Stomata and insect spiracles are openings that regulate gas exchange with the environment. They belong to different organisms and structures but share that functional role.

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Question 18

The use of moist skin for respiration in amphibians is known as

  1. cellular respiration
  2. cutaneous respiration
  3. buccal respiration
  4. pulmonary respiration
Answer and explanation

B: cutaneous respiration

Cutaneous respiration is gas exchange across the skin. A moist surface allows respiratory gases to dissolve before diffusing across the thin exchange barrier.

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Question 19

The specific botanical term for water-vapour loss from a plant is

  1. diffusion
  2. osmosis
  3. evaporation
  4. transpiration
Answer and explanation

D: transpiration

Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from a plant, especially through stomata. Evaporation and diffusion are physical processes involved in that overall biological loss.

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Question 20

Which is a vegetative stem organ of perennation?

  1. rhizome
  2. seed
  3. petal of a flower
  4. calyx of flower
Answer and explanation

A: rhizome

A rhizome is an underground stem that stores reserves and carries buds. It can survive an unfavourable season and produce new shoots when conditions improve.

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Question 23

Coordination and regulation of body activities in mammals are achieved by the

  1. nerves and muscle
  2. nerves and hormones
  3. nerves only
  4. hormones only
Answer and explanation

B: nerves and hormones

Nervous signals and hormones coordinate mammalian activities. Nerves often act rapidly through specific pathways, while hormones circulate to cells carrying suitable receptors.

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Question 24

The cerebellum helps coordinate

  1. reflex action
  2. muscular activity
  3. emotional expressions
  4. the Endocrine system
Answer and explanation

B: muscular activity

The cerebellum helps coordinate muscle movements, posture and balance. It compares information needed for smooth movement rather than acting as the sole source of motor commands.

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Question 26

Which of the following instruments is used for measuring atmospheric pressure?

  1. Hydrometer
  2. Hygrometer
  3. Thermometer
  4. Barometer
Answer and explanation

D: Barometer

A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. The pressure reflects the force exerted by the overlying air, and changes can assist weather observation.

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Question 27

The influence of soil on organisms in a habitat is referred to as

  1. edaphic
  2. physiographic
  3. biotic
  4. topographic
Answer and explanation

A: edaphic

Edaphic factors are soil-related influences, including texture, mineral content, moisture and acidity. They affect which organisms can live and grow in a habitat.

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Question 28

The genetic make-up of an organism is described as

  1. allele
  2. chromosome
  3. phenotype
  4. genotype
Answer and explanation

D: genotype

Genotype describes an organism’s genetic constitution. Phenotype is its observable expression, shaped by genotype and often influenced by environmental conditions.

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Question 30

Which of the following group of organisms feeds directly on green plants?

  1. Primary Consumers
  2. Secondary Consumers
  3. Producers
  4. Decomposers
Answer and explanation

A: Primary Consumers

Primary consumers eat producers directly, for example herbivores feeding on green plants. Secondary consumers feed on other consumers rather than directly occupying this first consumer level.

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Question 32

The specific term for changes in population size through time and their causes is

  1. Population estimation
  2. Population dynamics
  3. Population ecology
  4. Population cycle
Answer and explanation

B: Population dynamics

Population dynamics concerns changes in population size through time and the processes producing those changes. Births, deaths, immigration and emigration contribute to the pattern.

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Question 34

Which listed nitrogen-fixing organism is a cyanobacterium, historically called a blue-green alga?

  1. Rhizobium
  2. Nitrosomonas
  3. Clostridium
  4. Anabaena
Answer and explanation

D: Anabaena

Anabaena is a cyanobacterium, historically called a blue-green alga. Many forms fix atmospheric nitrogen, often using specialised cells called heterocysts.

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Question 35

Under comparable conditions, which mineral-soil texture generally retains the most total water?

  1. Clayey soil
  2. Stoney soil
  3. Sandy soil
  4. Loamy Soil
Answer and explanation

A: Clayey soil

Clay-rich soils generally retain more total water than coarse sandy soils because of their fine particles and large surface area. Not all retained water is equally available to plant roots.

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Question 36

The causative agent of Poliomyelitis is

  1. Virus
  2. Fungus
  3. Protozoan
  4. Bacterium
Answer and explanation

A: Virus

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus. It is therefore a viral infection, not a fungal, protozoal or bacterial disease.

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Question 39

Which statement about the historical control of smallpox is correct?

  1. It is transmitted by bacteria
  2. It can effectively be controlled with antibiotics
  3. It can effectively be controlled by vaccination
  4. It is a water-borne infection
Answer and explanation

C: It can effectively be controlled by vaccination

Vaccination was central to the global eradication of smallpox, together with surveillance and containment. Smallpox is caused by variola virus rather than a bacterium.

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Question 41

Which organism can undergo conjugation involving exchange of nuclear genetic material as well as reproducing by binary fission?

  1. Paramecium
  2. Euglena
  3. Amoeba
  4. Plasmodium
Answer and explanation

A: Paramecium

Paramecium can undergo conjugation, exchanging nuclear genetic material between compatible cells. It also reproduces asexually by binary fission; conjugation itself does not immediately increase cell number.

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Question 42

Whorls, arches, loops and compounds are types of variation in

  1. Colour
  2. Finger prints
  3. Hair Colour
  4. Blood group
Answer and explanation

B: Finger prints

Whorls, arches and loops describe arrangements of friction ridges in fingerprints. These patterns illustrate variation in a visible human physical characteristic.

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Question 47

The stream-lined shape of fishes is an adaptation for

  1. Securing mates
  2. easy movement
  3. obtaining food
  4. defence and attack
Answer and explanation

B: easy movement

A streamlined body reduces resistance as a fish moves through water. Lower drag can make swimming more efficient, helping the fish perform many activities.

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