WAEC Biology 2000 past questions
Ten questions from the 2000 WAEC Biology paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 54 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Biology 2000 questions and answers
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1.Which of the following organisms will not bring about decomposition?
- AMoulds
- BGreen plantsCorrect
- CFungi
- DBacteria
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Answer: B
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter into simpler inorganic substances. Bacteria, fungi and moulds are the principal decomposers. Green plants are producers (autotrophs) that manufacture their own food by photosynthesis and do not bring about decomposition.
- A
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2.Which of the following best describes a colony of volvox?
- AA single large cell containing multiple nuclei
- BA linear chain of independent unicellular organisms
- CA hollow sphere of cells connected by cytoplasmic strandsCorrect
- DA solid mass of undifferentiated cells
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Answer: C
Volvox forms a hollow spherical colony of hundreds to thousands of cells, each connected to adjacent cells by thin cytoplasmic strands. This organization makes Volvox a classic example of a colonial organism that demonstrates the transition from unicellular to multicellular life.
- A
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3.The nerves that arise from the brain are known as
- APeripheral nerves
- BAutonomic nerves
- CCranial nervesCorrect
- DSpinal nerves
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Answer: C
Cranial nerves are the 12 pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain. They supply the head, neck and some thoracic and abdominal organs. Spinal nerves, by contrast, arise from the spinal cord.
- A
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4.Which of the following is not a means of conserving natural resources?
- AReforestation
- BBush burningCorrect
- CRecycling of waste
- DEstablishment of game reserves
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Answer: B
Bush burning destroys vegetation, kills soil organisms, removes humus and releases pollutants — it is harmful to natural resources, not a means of conserving them. Reforestation (replanting trees), recycling waste and establishing game reserves are all recognised strategies for conserving natural resources.
- A
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5.Each neurone consists of the following structures' except
- ASynapseCorrect
- BAxon
- CCell body
- DDendrites
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Answer: A
A neurone (nerve cell) consists of a cell body (soma, containing the nucleus), dendrites (branched projections that receive signals from other neurones), and an axon (a long fibre that transmits impulses away from the cell body). The synapse is NOT a structural component of a single neurone — it is the functional junction between two neurones (or between a neurone and an effector), existing as a gap between cells rather than within one.
- A
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6.What happens to an ovule of a flower, after fertilization? It
- Adevelops into a seedCorrect
- Bdevelops into a cotyledon
- Cdevelops into an embryo only
- Ddevelops into a fruit
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Answer: A
After fertilisation, the ovule develops into a seed. The fertilised egg (zygote) forms the embryo, the integuments form the testa (seed coat), and the ovary wall develops into the fruit wall (pericarp).
- A
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7.Which of the following terms is not associated with fingerprint and classification?
- ASpiracleCorrect
- BLoop
- CArch
- DWhorl
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Answer: A
Fingerprint patterns are classified into three main types: loops (most common), whorls and arches. A spiracle is a respiratory opening found in insects and sharks — it has no association with fingerprint classification. Therefore, spiracle is the term not associated with fingerprint classification.
- A
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8.Which of the following organisms has the largest surface area-to-volume ratio?
- AGrasshopper
- BAmoebaCorrect
- CEarthworm
- DFrog
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Answer: B
As an organism's size increases, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases. Amoeba, being a single-celled (unicellular) organism, is the smallest of the organisms listed and therefore has the largest surface area-to-volume ratio. This high ratio allows the amoeba to exchange gases, nutrients, and waste products efficiently across its cell membrane without needing specialized transport organs.
- A
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9.A balanced meal for an adult person may consist of
- ARice, beans, vegetables and fruit juiceCorrect
- BRice, yam, cassava and bread
- CPlantain, cocoyam, yam and cassava
- DBeans, groundnut, meat and fish
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Answer: A
A balanced meal must contain all major nutrient classes. Rice supplies carbohydrates; beans supply protein; vegetables supply vitamins, minerals and fibre; fruit juice supplies vitamins and water. Options b and c consist mainly of carbohydrates, while option d lacks carbohydrates.
- A
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10.Parasitism can best be defined as an association between two organisms in which
- Aone organism benefits while the other is harmedCorrect
- Bboth organisms benefit from each other
- Cone organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped
- Dboth organisms compete for the same resources
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Answer: A
Parasitism is an interspecific association in which the parasite benefits (by obtaining nutrients or shelter) while the host is harmed (suffers reduced fitness, disease or death). Examples include tapeworm in humans and mistletoe on trees. Mutualism benefits both; commensalism benefits one without harming the other.
- A
The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check
Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.
Practise all 54 questions we hold from the 2000 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.