WAEC Biology 2007 past questions
Ten questions from the 2007 WAEC Biology paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 63 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Biology 2007 questions and answers
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1.The site for production of a ATP in a cell is
- ARibosome
- BVacuole
- CNucleus
- DMitochondrionCorrect
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Answer: D
The mitochondrion is the principal site of ATP synthesis in eukaryotic cells through the process of aerobic cellular respiration. The inner mitochondrial membrane contains the electron transport chain and ATP synthase enzyme complexes that drive oxidative phosphorylation, producing the majority of the cell's ATP. Small amounts of ATP are also produced in the cytoplasm during glycolysis. The nucleus, ribosome, and vacuole do not produce ATP; ribosomes synthesise proteins, and the nucleus stores genetic information.
- A
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2.Which of these values in kj/m2 likely represents the energy content of the producers in a habitat?
- A500,000Correct
- B50,000
- C500
- D5,000
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Answer: A
In an energy pyramid, producers (plants) contain the highest amount of energy because all other trophic levels ultimately derive their energy from them. Energy decreases by approximately 90% at each successive trophic level, so producers must hold the greatest value. A very large figure like 500,000 kJ/m² is appropriate for producers, while 50,000 would represent primary consumers, 5,000 secondary consumers, and 500 tertiary consumers. This progressive decrease in energy from base to apex is a fundamental principle of ecosystem ecology.
- A
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3.Which of the following statements about nerve cells is not correct?
- AThey can fully regenerate after injury in adult mammalsCorrect
- BThey possess specialised extensions called axons and dendrites
- CThey transmit electrical impulses along their length
- DThey have a cell body that contains a nucleus and cytoplasm
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Answer: A
Most neurones in adult mammals have a very limited capacity for regeneration after injury, unlike cells in other tissues. Central nervous system neurones in particular cannot effectively regenerate damaged axons, which is why spinal cord injuries often cause permanent disabilities. While peripheral nervous system neurones have some regenerative ability, full recovery is rarely achieved. Statements about neurones conducting electrical impulses, having a nucleus-containing cell body, and possessing axons and dendrites are all correct descriptions.
- A
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4.The fine adjustment of the light microscope is used to
- Amove the stage rapidly to locate the specimen
- Bcontrol the amount of light passing through the specimen
- Cchange from one objective lens to another
- Dfocus the image sharply particularly at high magnificationCorrect
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Answer: D
The fine adjustment knob of a light microscope makes very small, precise movements of the stage or objective to achieve a sharp, clear focus, particularly when using high-power objective lenses. The coarse adjustment knob is used first to bring the specimen roughly into focus and to move the stage rapidly. The diaphragm controls the amount of light, and the revolving nosepiece is used to change objective lenses. Using the fine adjustment prevents accidentally driving the objective into the slide.
- A
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5.An albino man marries a normal woman (homozygous for skin pigmentation). What is the probability that the people could have an albino child?
- A3/4
- B1/2
- C0Correct
- D1/4
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Answer: C
An albino man has the genotype aa (homozygous recessive). A normal woman who is homozygous for skin pigmentation has the genotype AA (homozygous dominant). The cross AA × aa produces only Aa offspring — all are heterozygous carriers with normal pigmentation. Since every child inherits one A allele from the mother, none can be albino (which requires genotype aa). The probability of producing an albino child from this cross is therefore zero.
- A
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6.A termite with a relatively large head and powerful jaws is likely to be a
- AsoldierCorrect
- Bqueen
- Cworker
- Dreproductive male
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Answer: A
In termite colonies, there is a distinct division of labor among different castes. Soldiers are characterized by their disproportionately large, heavily sclerotized heads and powerful mandibles (jaws), which they use to defend the colony against predators and intruders such as ants. Workers have smaller heads and are responsible for foraging, building, and caring for the young and queen. The queen has a greatly enlarged abdomen for mass egg production, while reproductive males are winged and produced solely for mating flights.
- A
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7.What is the probability of producing a child of blood group O by a woman of blood group O and a man of blood group A?
- A0
- B1/4
- C3/4
- D1/2Correct
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Answer: D
A woman of blood group O has genotype ii. A man of blood group A who is heterozygous has genotype IAi. The cross IAi × ii produces offspring in a 1:1 ratio — half IAi (blood group A) and half ii (blood group O). Therefore the probability of a blood group O child is 1/2. If the father were homozygous IAIA, no blood group O child would be possible, but the question implies a scenario where such a child is possible, meaning the father must be heterozygous.
- A
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8.Which of the following inherited conditions usually shows incomplete dominance?
- AHaemophilia
- BAchondroplasia
- CSickle cell anaemiaCorrect
- DColour blindness
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Answer: C
Incomplete dominance occurs when neither allele is fully dominant, and the heterozygous phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes. In sickle cell anaemia, individuals carrying one normal and one sickle cell allele (genotype AS) exhibit sickle cell trait — an intermediate condition where they are generally healthy but can show symptoms under low-oxygen conditions. This intermediate phenotype in AS individuals demonstrates incomplete dominance. Colour blindness and haemophilia are X-linked recessive traits, not examples of incomplete dominance.
- A
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9.The smallest branches on the cell body of a neurone are called
- ANodes of Ranvier
- BDendritesCorrect
- CAxons
- DMyelin sheaths
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Answer: B
Dendrites are the short, highly branched extensions projecting from the cell body of a neurone that receive nerve impulses from other neurones and conduct them towards the cell body. An axon is a single, usually long extension that carries impulses away from the cell body to the next neurone or effector organ. The myelin sheath is an insulating layer surrounding the axon, and the nodes of Ranvier are gaps in this sheath that speed up impulse transmission by saltatory conduction.
- A
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10.A population which exceeds its carrying capacity and then collapses is represented graphically as a
- AJ-shaped curveCorrect
- Bstraight diagonal line
- Csigmoid curve
- Dbell-shaped curve
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Answer: A
When a population grows rapidly and exceeds its carrying capacity (K), resources become severely depleted, causing a sudden population crash. This overshoot and collapse pattern is represented by a J-shaped curve that rises steeply and then drops sharply after overshooting the carrying capacity. A sigmoid (S-shaped) curve represents logistic growth where the population gradually levels off at the carrying capacity without collapsing. The J-curve with crash is characteristic of species with no density-dependent regulation.
- 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
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Practise all 63 questions we hold from the 2007 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.