Biology Paper 2 ,Nov/Dec 2011

Question 1
(a)(i)What is Primary growth in flowering
plants [ 2marks ]
(ii)State four ways in which primary growth is of importance
to plants [4 marks ]
(b) Describe growth in a named
insect [8 marks ]
(c) Make a drawing of a growth curve of an:
(i) insect;
(ii) annual herbaccous
plant [6
marks ]
Question 2
(a) (i) Name two types of moveable joints in
mammals [ 2 marks
]
(ii) Name the features of the moveable joint and how they
serve to
protect the
joint
[6 marks ]
(b)(i)Define translocation in
plants [ 3 marks ]
(ii) Describe the ringing experiment to demonstrate
translocation in plants [ 9 marks ]
Question 3
((a)Explain the following terms:(i) test cross; (ii)
recessive
allele;
[8 marks (iii) homozygote.
(b (I)Why is sickle-cell anaemia considered a deadly
disease? [5 marks ]
(ii) Explain briefly how sickle-cell anaemia can be reduced
in a population [6 marks ]
(iii) State one advantage which a carrier of the sickle-cell
anaemia trait has [ 1 mark]
Question 4
(a) Explain the following terms:
(i) pollution;
(ii) overcrowding. [ 4 marks ]
(b) List three pollutants each of
(i) water (ii) air. [6
marks]
(c) State five ways each of preventing:
(i) water pollution;(ii) air pollution.
[8 marks ]
Question 7
((a) Define the following terms;
(i) parasitism;
(ii) saprophytism;
(iii) symbiosis; giving one example
of each [ 12 marks]
(b)Describe the external features of a named animal ecto-
parasite and how
the features adapt it to its mode of
life. [8 marks ]
Question 8
(a) State three ways by which water is of importance to
mammals. [3 marks (b) Name (i) two structures in
plants;
(ii) three structures in mammals; that excrete
water. [5 marks ] (c) How does the
mammalian body respond to low water content? [ 8
marks ] (d) List four plant hormones.

Biology Paper 2,Nov/Dec 2012

Question 1
(i) What is respiration?
[3 marks]
(ii) Explain three ways in which the respiratory surfaces in
mammals are adapted to their
functions
[6 marks ]
Outline how gases are exchanged in the leaves of flowering
plants [7 marks ]
In a tabular form, state four differences between aerobic
and anaerobic respiration 4 marks
Question 2
(i) Outline the components of a reflex arc and
state one function each of
each component
[ 10 marks ]
(ii) State four differences between a reflex action and
a voluntary action[4 marks ]
Explain how insulin regulates the amount of glucose in the
blood. [ 6 marks ]
Question 3
(i) What
is pollution?
[ 2 marks ]
(ii) Name three water
pollutants
[ 3 marks ]
(iii) State five harmful effects of sulphur dioxide in the
atmosphere [5 marks]
(i) Explain the
term population
[3 marks ]
(ii) Explain how a pitfall trap is used to measure the
population size of
organisms in a
habitat.
[ 7 marks ]
Question 4
() Explain the application of genetics in marriage
counseling giving
one example
[5 marks]
(b) A normal male marries a female carrier of
haemophilia. With the
aid of a genetic diagram, determine what proportion
of their offspring
will suffer from the
disease. [ 9 marks]
(c) State the two laws of inheritance propounded by
Gregor Mendel. [6marks]

Question 7
() (i) What is conservation of natural
resources? [ 3 marks ]
(ii) List five benefits of
conservation. [5
marks ]
(b) (i) Name five mineral resources that could be
conserved. [5 marks]
(ii) With appropriate examples, explain the problems
associated
with conservation of mineral
resources. [7 marks ]
Question 8
i Describe the adaptations of plants to aquatic habitats
giving specific
Examples
[10 marks]
(b) (i) List four characteristics of the intertidal zone
[ 4 marks ]
(ii) Explain how plants and animals in the intertidal
zone are
adapted to their habitats
[6 marks ]

Biology Paper 2,Nov/Dec 2013

Question 2
(a) What is reproduction? [2 marks]
(b) In a tabular form, state six differences between sexual
reproduction and
(c) asexual reproduction. [6 marks]
(d) State three advantages sexual reproduction. [3 marks]
(e) (i) Describe the female reproductive structure of a
flowering plant. [7 marks]
(ii) List two factors necessary for germination of seeds. [2
marks]
Question 3
(a) In a garden, it was observed that the leaves of some
vegetables were molting and had turned yellow, purple and
orange. There was stunted growth of mostly the lower
leaves and the vegetables possessed a weak stem. List the
elements likely to be deficient in the garden soil. [5 marks]
(b) State three methods that can be adopted by a farmer to
improve soil fertility for improved yield. [3 marks]
(c) State four similarities and four differences between the
alimentary canal of a bird and a cockroach.
[8 marks]
(d) List four disorders of the alimentary canal of humans. [4
marks]
Question 4
(a) (i) What is competition? [2 marks]
(ii)In a tabular form, state four differences between
competition and succession [4 marks]
(b) A pure strain goat with black coloured fur was crossed
with a pure strain goat with white coloured fur, all the
offspring had black coloured fur.
(i) With the aid of a genetic diagram, determine the
phenotypic ratio of the F2 generation if the
F1 offspring are selfed. [10 marks]
(ii) What would be the outcome of mating a black
heterozygote offspring from the F2 generation with the
original black coloured parent? [4 marks]
Question 7
(a) (i) What is courtship behaviour? [3 marks]
(ii) Outline five benefits derived by the exhibition of
courtship behaviour. [5 marks]
(b) Describe briefly courtship behavior in the Agama lizard.
[7 marks]
(c) Describe briefly the mammalian placenta. [5 marks]
Question 8
(a) Explain briefly the role of the skin as a sensory organ. [5
marks]
(b) Describe briefly the vegetation of Tropical Rain Forest.
[10 marks]
(c) List five animals that inhabit the Tropical Rain Forest. [5
marks]

BIOLOGY PAPER 2 WASSCE 2015

Question 1
State the levels of organization of the following
organisms/structures:
blood;
Guinea pig;
Hibiscus flower;
Human skeleton;
Plasmodium [5 marks]
What is homeostasis? [3 marks]
(i) Explain briefly how the kidney maintains acid-base
balance of the blood. [6 marks]
(ii) Explain two factors that affect the functioning of the
kidney [6 marks]
Question 2
Write a balanced chemical equation for the process of
photosynthesis. [4 marks]
Make a drawing 8cm – 10cm long of the transverse section
of a dicotyledonous leaf and label fully. [11 marks]
State five functions of a mammalian liver. [5 marks]
Question 3
A sample of garden soil was placed in a measuring cylinder,
enough water was added to it. It was shaken and allowed to
settle for 30 minutes. Draw a diagram 6cm-8cm long to
show the various layers formed and label fully. [7
marks]
State four reasons why each of the following soils
is not suitable for crop production:
Clayey;
Sandy. [8 marks]
(i) List two examples of refuse. [2 marks]
(ii) State three ways in which refuse is disposed of in the
community. [3 marks]
Question 4
What is mutation?
List three symptoms of Down’s syndrome.
State four ways each by which genetics has contributed to
improvement in:
medicine;
agriculture.
(i) Explain the term comparative anatomy.
(ii) State four examples of comparative anatomy.
Question 6
(i) Name the two types of competition in an ecosystem.
(ii) List four factors that bring about competition among
organisms.
(iii)Explain briefly the role of competition in the process of
succession.
State three ways by which water is lost from living
organisms to the atmosphere.
Name two organisms each which are:
Fluid feeders:
Filter feeders.
State two functions each of the following parts of the
mammalian skin:
Cornified layer;
Hair erector muscle;
Sebaceous gland.
State four factors that can result in overcrowding in a
habitat.
State five benefits of family planning.

BIOLOGY PAPER 2 WASSCE 2016

Question 1
Explain briefly how soil water gets to the leaves of a plant.
[5 marks]
State five reasons for classifying organisms. [5 marks]
Explain briefly how the following structures of mammals are
adapted to their functions:
veins; [6 marks]
arteries. [4 marks]
Question 2
(I)Define enzymes. [2 marks]
(ii) State five characteristics of enzymes. [5 marks]
Describe briefly the role of the pancreatic juice in the
digestion of carbohydrates and proteins in mammals. [4
marks]
(c) A student fractured a leg, the leg was put in a cast and
the student was advised to drink plenty of milk and spend
some time under the sun. Explain briefly the reason for the
instructions. [4 marks]
(d) State five ways in which photosynthesis is of importance
to humans. [5 marks]
Question 3
(i) Name three groups of microorganisms. [3 marks]
(ii) Give one example of each group. [3 marks]
(iii) State four ways by which microorganisms can be
controlled. [4 marks]
(List four abiotic factors that affect an animal living at the
bottom of the sea. [4 marks]
(i) List three human activities that may lead to
extinction of species in an area.[3 marks]
(ii) State three adverse effects of the extinction of a
plant species on humans. [3 marks]
Question 4
In maize species, starchy grain (GG) is dominant to sugary
grain (gg). Two pure maize varieties were crossed, one
grown from a starchy grain and the other grown from a
sugary grain.
(i) With the aid of a genetic diagram, determine the
phenotype of F1 grains. [9 marks]
(ii) The F1 grains grew into mature plants and were allowed
to self pollinate. What is the expected ratio of starchy to
sugary grains on the cobs borne on the F1 plants? [9 marks]
(b) If the total of F2 grains collected is 580, how many of
these would be expected to be:
(i) starchy;
(ii) sugary? [2 marks]
Question 6
(a) Explain briefly the following adaptive behaviours giving
one example in each case:
(i) mimicry:
(ii)camouflage. [6 marks]
State three structural features that adapt cockroach to its
habitat. [6 marks]
State two effects of pests on plants. [2 marks]
List four methods of preserving food. [4 marks]
List two applications of variation in a human society. [2
marks]
State four factors that could lead to competition in a plant
population. [4 marks]
Explain the term succession. [3 marks]
State three disadvantages of burning vegetation before
cropping. [3 marks]

BIOLOGY WASSCE PAPER 2 2017

Question 1
(i) List two constituents of the lymph in plants. . [2 marks]
(ii) List two functions of the lymphatic system. [2 marks]
(i) State three substances in the body that require water
medium for transportation. [3 marks]
(ii) Describe how water and mineral salts are transported
into the leaves of a flowering plant. [7 marks]
(i) What is placentation in flowering plants? [2 marks]
(ii) Name four types of placentation in flowering plants. [4
marks]
Question 2
Study the table below and answer questions 2 (a) (i) to (iii).

LIGHT INTENSITY 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 5
0
RATE OF 10 40 50 60 70 75 75 75 75 7
PHOTOSYNTHESI 5
S
i) Using a scale of 1cm to 10 units on the y-axis and 1cm to
5 units on the x-axis, plot a graph showing the rate of
photosynthesis on the y-axis and light intensity on the x
axis. [10 marks]
(ii) From the graph plotted in 2 (a) (i), explain briefly the
effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis. [3
marks]
(iii) List three factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis.
[3 marks]
(i) Name two enzymes in the human alimentary canal that
digest starch. [2 marks]
(ii) List the parts of the alimentary canal where the enzyme
named2 (b) (i) are most active. [2 marks]
Question 3
(a) Explain briefly the following terms:
(i) community; [3 marks]
(ii) population;]
(iii) ecological niche. [6 marks]
(b) State two reasons why the ecosystem must receive
constant supply of energy. [2 marks]
(c) State three likely effects each of:
(i) the mortality rate being higher than the birth rate within a
community. [3 marks]
(ii) overgrazing on a grassland vegetation. [3 marks]
Explain how cover-cropping aids in the conservation of the
soil. [6 ma
Question 4
(i)Explain briefly the term sickle cell anaemia. [4 marks]
(ii) State four transmittable characters in humans. [4 marks]
State three ways by which animals survive unfavourable
conditions. [3 marks]
Explain briefly the theory proposed by jean Baptiste
Lamarck on evolution. [4 marks]
State five evidences of evolution. [5 marks]
Question 6
State four structural features that adapt a toad to its
environment. [8 marks]
(i) What is irritability? [2 marks]
(ii) State two environmental factors that bring about
irritability in plants. [2 marks]
(i) What is tillage as used in agriculture? [2 marks]
(ii) State four effects of tillage on the ecosystem [4 marks]
Describe the type of courtship behavior exhibited by lizards.
[6 marks] [4 marks]
Explain briefly the following terms:
(i) oviparity [2 marks]
(ii) viviparity [2 marks]
State two roles of Rhizobium in the Nitrogen cycle. [2
marks]

BIOLOGY PAPER 2 WASSCE 2018

Question 1
(a) What is skeleton of a mammal? [2
marks]
(b) Name three types of skeletons found in animals and
give one example each of an organism that
possesses each type of skeleton.

Type of Example of
skeleton organisms

(i)

(ii)

(iii
)

[6 marks]
(c) State three functions of the mammalian
skeleton. [3 marks]
(d) Make a diagram, 6 cm to 8 cm long of the anterior view
of the atlas vertebra and label
fully. [9 marks]
Question 2
(a) What are vitamins? [2 marks]
(b) Complete the table below on vitamins with their
corresponding functions, deficiencies and food sources.

One functio One deficienc One sourc

Vitami n y e
n

Citrus
Fruits

Beri-beri

Good
eyesight

Failure of
blood to clot

[15 marks]
(c) State one way each in which the following mineral
elements are important to plants:
(i) Iron;
(ii) Nitrogen;
(iii)
Calcium.
[3 marks]
Question 3
(a) During an ecological study, the organisms in the
table below were identified.

Organism Estimated
number

Mango trees 50
Hawks 10
Chicks of 30
domestic fowl 80
Caterpillars

Use the information to:

(i) construct a food chain;
[5 marks]
(ii) draw a pyramid of
numbers. [6 marks]
(b) State three benefits each of conserving the
following resources:
(i)
water;
[3 marks]
(ii)
soil;
[3 marks]
(iii)
forest.
[3 marks]
Question 4
A homozygous tall plant was crossed with a homozygous
short plant. An offspring of the F1 generation was then
crossed with another homozygous short plant. With the aid
of a suitable genetic diagram each, determine the:
(a) genotypes of the F1 generation;
(b) phenotypic ratio of the offspring of the cross
between the F1 generation and the homozygous short plant;
(c) genotypic ratio of the offspring
in 4(b). [20
marks]
Question 5
Name four scientists that contributed to the development of
the cell theory. [4 marks]
(b) In the table below, list three classes of plants based on
their life cycles and name two examples each of the
classes listed.

Classes of Two examples

plants
based on
life cycles

(i)

(ii)

(iii
)

[9 marks]

(c) State three adaptive features of the amnion in a

developing foetus of a
mammal.
[6 marks]
(d) State one role each of the following organisms in
the nitrogen cycle:
(i) Rhizobium;
(ii) Azotobacter;
(iii) Blue-green
algae.
[3 marks]
(e) Make a diagram, 6 cm – 8 cm long of the mouthpart of a
butterfly and label fully.
[8 marks]
Question 6
(a) State two roles each of the following compounds in
respiration:
(i) glucose;
(ii) oxygen. [4
marks]
(b) List two types of cellular
respiration [2 marks]
(c) Name the structures of gaseous exchange in the
following organisms:
 Organism Structure of
S/N gaseous
o exchange

(i) Amoeba
(ii) Tilapia
(iii) Adult toad
(iv) Grasshoppe
r

[4 marks]
(d) Make a diagram, 6 cm to 8 cm long of an open stoma in
a leaf and label fully. [10 marks]
Question 7
(a)Describe briefly the process involved in the conversion of
food to chyme in the stomach of a
mammal.
[4 marks]
(b)Complete the table below by stating one enzyme,
digestive juice, food acted upon and
end-product in the corresponding spaces.

One juice One food One end-

One acted upon product
Enzym
e

(ii)----------- (v) (viii)-------------

 Pepsin ---- -------------------- ------
(i) (iii)---------- (vi) Maltose
----------- ----- -------------------
(ix)---------------
Lipase (iv)----------- (vii) --------
---- -------------------

[9 marks]
(c) Describe an experiment to show that carbon dioxide is
necessary for photosynthesis.[7 marks

Question 8

(a) Explain briefly the following terms:

ecosystem;
abiotic
environment.
[4 marks]
(b) List three ecological factors each which are specific
to:
aquatic habitats;
terrestrial
habitats. [6
marks]
(c) State briefly the relationship between green grass and
a rabbit in a given habitat. [4 marks]
(d) Draw a typical pyramid of energy using four feeding
levels. [6 marks]
Question 9
(a)(i) State Mendel’s laws of
inheritance. [6 marks]
(ii) State five applications of genetics in
medicine. [5 marks]
(iii) State three disadvantages of inbreeding.
[3marks]
(b)(i) What is evolution? [2
marks]
(ii) Distinguish between convergent evolution and divergent
evolution. [4 marks
Question 6
(a) State five processes involved in the water
cycle. [5 marks]
(b) Name one instrument used for measuring each of the
following physical factors:pH;light intensity;
turbidity;temperature.
[4 marks]
(c) Explain briefly the contributions of the following
scientists to the formulation of the cell theory:
Robert Hooke; [3 marks]Theodore Schwann. [2
marks]
(d) What is meant by each of the following terms:
Nastism [2 marks]Taxism [3 marks]
(e) Make a diagram, 6 cm – 8 cm long of the human tongue
illustrating the four areas of taste.[4 marks]
(f)(i)List four ways through which microorganisms enter the
human body. [4 marks]
(ii) State three harmful effects of microorganisms to
humans. [3 marks]

BIOLOGY PAPER 2 WASSCE 2019

Question 1

(a)What is osmosis? [3 marks]

(b)(i) With the aid of suitable diagrams, explain briefly how
the process of osmosis could
be demonstrated in the laboratory using uncooked peeled
yam tuber. [12 marks]
(ii) What will happen if the peeled yam tuber is replaced with
boiled peeled yam? [1 mark]
(iii) Give one reason for the answer in 1(b)(ii). [2 marks]
(c) Name two other materials that could be used to replace
the peeled yam tuber. [2 marks]
Question 2

(a) Give two reagents each which are used to test for the
following food substances.
Food Two test
substance reagents

Reducing
sugar

Protein

Fats and
oil

[6 marks]
(b)
Complete the table below on the location of production of
enzymes and site of action in the human body for the
following digestive enzymes.

Digestive Location of Site of action

enzyme production of
enzyme

Maltase

Lipase

Sucrase

Amylase

[8 marks]
(c)
(i) Explain briefly the procedure for destarching a leaf. [2
marks]
(ii) What happens to the starch after destarching a leaf? [1
mark]
(d)
In testing for starch in a green leaf, why is the leaf:
(i) boiled in water;
(ii) put in warm alcohol;
(iii) put in warm water? [3 marks]
Question 3
(a) A big dog found freshly dead in a school farm was
left untouched for five days.
(i) State three biological activities that would happen to
the dead dog. [3 marks]
(ii) State three effects the biological activities stated in
(b) 3(a)(i) would have on the environment. [3 marks]
(iii) Name three products that would be released into
the environment. [3 marks]
(iv) Suggest the best way in which the environment
could be saved from the effect of the biological
activities on the dead dog. [1 mark]
(v) Give one reason for the answer in 3(a)(iv). [1 mark]
(b) Name two:
(i) micro decomposers; [2 marks]
(ii) macro decomposers,
in an ecosystem. [2 marks]
(c) State two characteristics of decomposers. [2 marks]
(d) State three ways by which decomposers are
important in the ecosystem. [3 marks]
Question 4
What is chromosome in genetics? [3 marks]
(b) Make a diagram, 2 cm to 4 cm long of a chromosome and
label fully. [7 marks]
(c) Complete the table below with the number of
chromosomes in the cells of the organisms listed.

(d) Explain briefly how chromosomes determine the sex of a

child in humans. [3 marks]
Question 6
(a) What is meant by: (i) biennial plant; [2 marks]
(ii) perennial plant? [2 marks]
(b) State four characteristic features of carnivorous plants.
[4 marks]
(c) Give one example each of seeds that undergo the two
types of germination.

(d) Complete the table below by stating one use each of the
listed structural adaptive features of organisms.
(e) State three factors that affect tolerance ranges of
organisms in a habitat. [3 marks]
(f) (i) Name the laws that explain energy flow in an
ecosystem. [1 mark]
(ii) State the laws named in 6(f)(i). [4 marks]
(g) An individual burgled the Cash Office in an establishment
and stole some amount of money. Accidentally, the burglar
had a cut on the finger and blood smeared the table.
State two tests that could be used to identify the burglar. [2
marks]
(h) Name two diseases of the liver. [2 marks]
Question 7
Name five vertebrae in mammals with their corresponding
locations in the table below.[10 marks]
State one function each of the following parts in a
dicotyledonous leaf:palisade;
vascularbundle;epidermis.[3 marks]
State one function each of the following parts in the stem of
a flowering plant:
sievetube;cortex;pith.[3 marks]
In a tabular form, state:
two external structural differences between the stem and
root of a maize seeding.[2 marks]
two internal structural differences between the stem and
root of a maize seeding.[2 marks]
Question 8
State three features of the small intestine that increase the
rate of absorption of digested food. [3 marks]
Explain briefly what happens to the glucose formed in a
plant during photosynthesis. [3 marks]
Explain briefly the mode of feeding in each of the following
organisms:
Euglena;[4 marks]
Spirogyra.[4 marks]
State three characteristics of an Estuarine habitat. [3
marks]
State three differences between an aquatic habitat and a
terrestrial habitat.
[3 marks]
Just a few candidates could state the features of the small
intestine that increases the rate of absorption of digested
food.
Question 9
(a) State five:
(i) challenges that make conservation of resources difficult;
[5 marks]
(ii) ways by which the Government of a country ensures
conservation of natural resources.
[5 marks]
(b) What is an endangered species?
[3 marks]
Question 10
A homozygous tall, red flower plant was crossed with a
homozygous dwarf, white flower plant. The F1 were selfed
and 160 F2 plants were obtained.
(a) (i) Name the type of genetic cross.[1 marks]
(ii) State one reason for the answer in 4(a)(i).[1 marks]
(b) (i) What is the phenotype of F1 generation?[2 marks]
(ii) With the aid of a genetic diagram, state the phenotypic
ratio of F2 generation.[13 marks]
(iii) Calculate the number of tall and white flowers that
would be obtained in the F2 generation.[3 marks]
Question 11
(a)Complete the table below.[6marks]

Organism Mode of feeding Feature of mouthpart that adapts

organism to mode of feedin

Adult temperature is
mosquito higher;

Weevil
Cockroach

(b) List five parts of the alimentary canal of an earthworm.[5

marks]
(c) State six ways by which water could be polluted by
agricultural practices.
[6 marks]
(d) Describe briefly the life cycle of a housefly.[5 marks]
(e) Make a diagram, 6 cm – 8 cm long of the hypogeal
germination in a mature maize seedling and label fully.[8
marks]