JAMB UTME - Biology - 2018
Question 1 Report
What is the function of contractile vacuole in paramecium?
Answer Details
The contractile vacuole in paramecium functions to get rid of excess water. Paramecium is a single-celled organism that lives in freshwater environments. As water enters the cell by osmosis, the contractile vacuole collects and pumps out the excess water to prevent the cell from swelling and potentially bursting. The contractile vacuole acts like a pump, contracting and releasing to expel the excess water out of the cell. This process helps maintain the proper balance of water and ions inside the cell, which is necessary for the organism's survival. Therefore, the function of the contractile vacuole in paramecium is to regulate water balance and prevent the cell from bursting due to excess water intake.
Question 2 Report
The hygrometer is used for measuring
Answer Details
A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure the amount of humidity and water vapor in the atmosphere, in soil, or in confined spaces. Humidity measurement instruments usually rely on measurements of some other quantity such as temperature, pressure, mass, a mechanical or electrical change in a substance as moisture is absorbed. By calibration and calculation, these measured quantities can lead to a measurement of humidity.
Question 3 Report
Long neck in giraffe is used to illustrate the theory of
Answer Details
The giraffe's long neck is a perfect adaptation to the animal's natural habitat. Clearly the giraffe evolved this uncommon and helpful trait in order to reach those nourishing leaves. That's how natural selection works. Use and disuse' theory in human life advocate the idea that animals acquired characteristics after using certain physical traits constantly.
Question 4 Report
Which of the following statements is true about sandy soil?
Answer Details
Sandy soils are well drained. They have low water holding capacity and are therefore drought prone. They become firm when wet (the opposite of clay), and loose when dry. Sandy soil is light and easy to dig.
Question 5 Report
Study the diagram of a food chain shown and use it to answer the question.
P ---> Q ---> R ---> S ---> T
The organism designated P in the food chain above is normally sustained by energy from
Answer Details
The organism designated P in the food chain is normally sustained by energy from the sun. This is because P is likely at the bottom of the food chain, which means it is a primary producer. Primary producers, such as green plants, use energy from the sun to produce their own food through photosynthesis. This food is then consumed by the next organism in the food chain, which is Q. The energy then passes from one organism to the next, all the way up the food chain to the top predator. Therefore, in this food chain, P is likely a green plant or another type of primary producer that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, making sunlight the source of energy for P.
Question 6 Report
Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer?
Answer Details
A primary consumer is an organism that feeds on primary producers. Primary consumers are usually herbivores that feed on autotrophic plants, which produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Question 7 Report
The flippers of a whale and the fins of a fish are examples of
Answer Details
The flippers of a whale and the fins of a fish are examples of convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is a process where species that are not closely related, but live in similar environments, evolve similar structures or adaptations to solve similar problems. This is also known as "parallel evolution". For example, whales and fish both live in water, and both need to be able to swim and maneuver. Over time, both species have evolved flippers or fins as a solution to these challenges, even though whales are mammals and fish are fish. This convergence of similar structures in unrelated species is a result of convergent evolution.
Question 8 Report
The yellowish colored liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in suspension is
Answer Details
Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. In other words, it is the liquid part of the blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume.
Question 9 Report
Swollen, bleeding gums are another common sign of which vitamin?
Answer Details
The vitamin that is commonly associated with swollen, bleeding gums is Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps in the formation of collagen, which is an important component of connective tissues like gums. Without enough Vitamin C, the collagen fibers in gums can weaken and break down, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. In addition, Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that can help to protect the gums from damage caused by harmful free radicals. Therefore, a diet deficient in Vitamin C can cause gums to become swollen, inflamed, and bleed easily. Consuming sufficient amounts of Vitamin C can help to prevent and treat these symptoms, which is why it is important to include Vitamin C-rich foods in your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, broccoli, and peppers, among others.
Question 10 Report
At which stage in this cycle can a man be infected?
Answer Details
In the animal's intestine, the oncospheres hatch, invade the intestinal wall, and migrate to the striated muscles, where they develop into cysticerci. A cysticercus can survive for several years in the animal. Humans become infected by ingesting raw or undercooked infected meat.
Question 11 Report
A beaker of pond water containing few specimens of Euglena was placed in a dark room for two weeks. At the end of this period, the specimens of Euglena were still alive because they were
Answer Details
Holozoic nutrition is a type of heterotrophic nutrition that is characterized by the internalization (ingestion) and internal processing of gaseous, liquid or solid food particles. Protozoa, such as amoebas, and most of the free living animals,such as animals, exhibit this type of nutrition.
In holozoic nutrition the energy and organic building blocks are obtained by ingesting and then digesting other organisms or pieces of other organisms, including blood and decaying organic matter. This contrasts with holophytic nutrition, in which energy and organic building blocks are obtained through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, and with saprozoic nutrition, in which digestive enzymes are released externally and the resulting monomers (small organic molecules) are absorbed directly from the environment.
Holophytic (plant-like), holozoic (animal- like), and saprophytic nutrition is found in Euglena. Euglena obtains its carbohydrate food by photosynthesis and nitrogenous food by absorption from the surroundings. Its holozoic nutrition is, however, doubtful.
Question 13 Report
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Use the diagram shown to answer the question. After an hour, the level of water in the thistle funnel will
Answer Details
Question 14 Report
A plant tissue that carries water and mineral salt is
Answer Details
The plant tissue that carries water and mineral salts from the roots to other parts of the plant is called xylem. Xylem is like a pipeline that runs throughout the plant and is responsible for transporting water and dissolved nutrients from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant. This tissue is made up of specialized cells called tracheids and vessel elements that are arranged end to end to form long, hollow tubes. These tubes allow water to flow through them with minimal resistance, and the water is pulled up through the xylem by a process called transpiration. In summary, xylem is the tissue responsible for carrying water and mineral salts from the roots to the rest of the plant, and it does so through a network of specialized cells that form long, hollow tubes.
Question 15 Report
Tikka disease is related with the crop
Answer Details
Tikka disease is not related to the crop of Groundnut, Mustard, or Paddy. Tikka disease, also known as Ascochyta blight, is a fungal disease that affects various plants, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils. The disease is caused by a fungus called Ascochyta and can result in small, circular spots on leaves, stems, and pods of infected plants. These spots can be gray, brown, or black, and may have a dark border. In summary, Tikka disease is not related to the crops of Groundnut, Mustard, or Paddy. It affects plants such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils, and is caused by a fungus called Ascochyta.
Question 16 Report
The role of scolex in tapeworm is to
Answer Details
An adult tapeworm consists of a knoblike head, or scolex, equipped with hooks for attaching to the intestinal wall of the host (which may be a human), a neck region, and a series of flat, rectangular body segments, or proglottids, generated by the neck. Scolex is used for attachment to the intestinal wall.
Question 17 Report
Cold blooded animals are referred to as
Answer Details
Cold-blooded animals are referred to as "poikilothermic". Poikilothermic animals are also known as "ectothermic" animals, which means that their body temperature is regulated by the environment around them. This is in contrast to "homoeothermic" animals, also known as "endothermic" animals, which can regulate their own body temperature internally. Examples of poikilothermic animals include reptiles, amphibians, and most fish. These animals are often seen basking in the sun to warm up or seeking out cooler places in order to lower their body temperature. They are able to function at a range of different temperatures, but their bodily functions are often slower at cooler temperatures. On the other hand, homoeothermic animals, such as mammals and birds, are able to maintain a stable internal body temperature, even when the temperature of their environment fluctuates. This allows them to function effectively in a wider range of environmental conditions.
Question 18 Report
The graph below shows the results of a laboratory investigation which measured the body temperatures of a lizard and a bird under changing artificial conditions. Use it to answer the question.
Which of the statements below is valid?
Answer Details
Question 19 Report
The gland that is present close to Trachea
Answer Details
The gland that is present close to the trachea is the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple and above the collarbone. It wraps around the front of the trachea, which is the tube that carries air to the lungs. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate many important functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, and development. When the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can cause a variety of health problems, including weight gain or loss, fatigue, and mood changes.
Question 20 Report
Total salt content in blood is about
Answer Details
The total salt content in blood is about 0.85 to 0.9%. Salt, which is also known as sodium chloride, is an essential mineral that is necessary for many bodily functions such as maintaining fluid balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and contracting muscles. However, too much salt in the blood can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, so it's important to maintain a proper balance. The normal range for salt content in the blood is typically around 0.9%, which is equivalent to 9 grams of salt per liter of blood.
Question 21 Report
Name the blood cells in which nucleus is absent
Answer Details
Like red cells, platelets (thrombocytes) have no nucleus. However, unlike red cells that originate in the marrow as nucleated cells and lose their nucleus, platelets are produced by budding off from a giant multinucleated marrow cell called a megakaryocyte.
Question 22 Report
Spectacles with convex lenses correct long-sightedness by
Answer Details
Spectacles with convex lenses correct long-sightedness by converging the light rays before they enter the eye. In long-sightedness, also known as hyperopia, the eyeball is too short, which causes light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry vision, especially when looking at close objects. Convex lenses are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, and they bend light rays towards each other. When a person with long-sightedness wears spectacles with convex lenses, the lenses converge the light rays before they enter the eye, which compensates for the shortness of the eyeball. This causes the light rays to focus directly on the retina, which results in clearer vision. Therefore, by converging the light rays before they enter the eye, convex lenses correct long-sightedness.
Question 23 Report
Red blood cells were found to have burst open after being placed in distill for an hour. This phenomenon is known as
Answer Details
The phenomenon you're referring to is called haemolysis. Haemolysis is the bursting of red blood cells when they are placed in a solution that is different from their normal environment. When red blood cells are placed in distilled water, the water moves into the cells and causes them to expand and eventually burst, resulting in haemolysis. This occurs because the concentration of solutes (e.g. salts, sugars) is higher inside the red blood cells than in the distilled water, causing water to move into the cells and causing them to burst. In simple terms, haemolysis is the bursting of red blood cells due to a change in the solution they are in.
Question 24 Report
Which of the following instruments is used to estimate the number of plants in a habitat?
Answer Details
The instrument used to estimate the number of plants in a habitat is a quadrant. A quadrant is a square or rectangular frame that is used to isolate a specific area within a habitat for study. It is typically made of a lightweight and durable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be any size, depending on the needs of the study. To estimate the number of plants in a habitat using a quadrant, researchers randomly select several quadrants within the study area and place them on the ground. They then count the number of plants within the quadrant and use this information to estimate the number of plants in the entire study area. Quadrants are a commonly used tool in ecology and are particularly useful for estimating the density and distribution of plant populations. They are simple to use and can provide valuable information for researchers who are interested in understanding the dynamics of plant communities.
Question 25 Report
Physiological adaptation to very dry conditions in animal demonstrates
Answer Details
Aestivation is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions.
Question 26 Report
Maltose is combination of glucose and
Answer Details
Maltose is a disaccharide, which means it is made up of two simple sugar molecules. Specifically, maltose is made up of two glucose molecules that are joined together by a type of bond called a glycosidic bond. Glucose is a monosaccharide, which means it is a simple sugar that cannot be broken down into any simpler sugars. Maltose is formed when two glucose molecules are linked together by a glycosidic bond. This bond is formed by the removal of a molecule of water between the two glucose molecules. The resulting molecule of maltose is therefore a combination of two glucose molecules. Sucrose, on the other hand, is a different type of disaccharide that is made up of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule, while galactose is a monosaccharide that can combine with glucose to form lactose, a disaccharide found in milk. So to summarize, maltose is a disaccharide made up of two glucose molecules that are linked together by a glycosidic bond. It is not made up of fructose, sucrose, or galactose.
Question 27 Report
Examples of micronutrients include the following except
Answer Details
The essential elements can be divided into macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutrients that plants require in larger amounts are called macronutrients. About half of the essential elements are considered macronutrients: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Question 28 Report
Use the diagram shown to answer the question. In plant cells, the role of the membrane is played by the
Answer Details
The role of the membrane in plant cells is played by the cell wall. The cell wall is a protective outer layer that surrounds the plasma membrane, which is a thin layer that encloses the cytoplasm and other cell structures. The cell wall provides support and structure to the cell, and also helps to maintain the shape of the cell. The nucleolus is a structure within the nucleus of a cell that is involved in the production of ribosomes, while the cytoplasm is the gel-like substance that fills the interior of a cell and contains all of the cell's organelles. The mitochondrion is an organelle within the cytoplasm that is responsible for generating energy for the cell.
Question 29 Report
The hormones secreted by pancreas serves to
Answer Details
The production of pancreatic hormones, including insulin, somatostatin, gastrin, and glucagon, play an important role in maintaining sugar and salt balance in our bodies.
Question 30 Report
The graph below shows the results of a laboratory investigation which measured the body temperatures of a lizard and a bird under changing artificial conditions. Use it to answer the question.
What physiological term can used to describe the regulation of the body temperature of the of the lizard?
Answer Details
The physiological term that can be used to describe the regulation of the body temperature of the lizard is "poikilothermy". Poikilothermy refers to the ability of an animal's body temperature to fluctuate with changes in the external environment. In other words, the body temperature of poikilothermic animals, such as lizards, is not actively regulated by their bodies, but rather is influenced by the temperature of their surroundings. As seen in the graph, the body temperature of the lizard varies with the temperature of the environment it is in. This is in contrast to homeothermic animals, such as birds and mammals, which can maintain a relatively constant body temperature regardless of external temperature changes through the process of "thermoregulation".
Question 31 Report
A pollutant that is mostly associated with acid rain is
Answer Details
The pollutant that is mostly associated with acid rain is nitrogen (IV) oxide, also known as nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 is produced when fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are burned at high temperatures, particularly in vehicles and power plants. It is a gas that can react with other chemicals in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO3), which can then fall to the ground as acid rain. When acid rain falls on soil, it can lower the pH and make it more acidic. This can have negative effects on plants and animals that live in the soil, as well as on the quality of the water in lakes and streams. In addition, acid rain can corrode buildings and other structures made of stone, metal, or concrete. To reduce the production of nitrogen (IV) oxide and the formation of acid rain, it is important to reduce the use of fossil fuels and to use cleaner sources of energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Additionally, regulations and policies can be put in place to limit the emissions of nitrogen (IV) oxide from vehicles and power plants.
Question 32 Report
Which of the following diseases is not hereditary?
Answer Details
Scabies is the disease that is not hereditary. Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. It spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Scabies is not a genetic disorder and does not pass down from parent to child through genes. It is caused by a microscopic organism that can infect anyone who comes into contact with it. On the other hand, Albinism, Haemophilia, and Color blindness are all hereditary diseases. Albinism is a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, resulting in little or no pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot properly. Color blindness is a genetic condition that affects the ability to distinguish between different colors. In summary, while Scabies is caused by a tiny mite and is not hereditary, Albinism, Haemophilia, and Color blindness are all genetic conditions that are inherited from one's parents.
Question 33 Report
What would happen if solution Y is more concentrated than solution X in fig 2?
Answer Details
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.
Question 34 Report
The vitamin which is important in the formation of the retina pigment is
Answer Details
The vitamin that is important in the formation of the retina pigment is Vitamin A. The retina is a part of the eye that contains cells called rods and cones which help us to see. Vitamin A is important for the normal functioning of these cells, especially the rods, which are responsible for vision in low light conditions. The retina pigment, also known as rhodopsin, is a protein found in the rods of the retina. It helps to absorb light and convert it into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as vision. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in the formation of this pigment, and a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to a condition called night blindness, where a person has difficulty seeing in low light conditions. In summary, Vitamin A is essential for the normal functioning of the cells in the retina, especially the rods, and is important for the formation of the retina pigment, which is necessary for vision in low light conditions.
Question 35 Report
A man who is heterozygous for the disease haemophilia marries a woman who is double recessive for haemophilia. What percentage of their offspring would have the disease?
Answer Details
Haemophilia is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder. This means that the gene responsible for haemophilia is located on the X chromosome, and individuals with two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) will have the disease. The man in this scenario is heterozygous, meaning he has one normal X chromosome and one X chromosome with the defective gene. The woman is double recessive, meaning she has two copies of the defective gene. When the man and woman have offspring, each child will inherit one of their father's X chromosomes and one of their mother's X chromosomes. The possible combinations of X chromosomes the children could inherit are: - Normal X chromosome from the father and normal X chromosome from the mother - Normal X chromosome from the father and defective X chromosome from the mother - Defective X chromosome from the father and normal X chromosome from the mother - Defective X chromosome from the father and defective X chromosome from the mother Of these possible combinations, only the last one (defective X chromosome from both parents) will result in the child having haemophilia. The probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from the father is 50%, since the father is heterozygous. The probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from the mother is 100%, since the mother is double recessive. Therefore, the probability of a child inheriting a defective X chromosome from both parents and having haemophilia is 50% x 100% = 50%. So the correct answer is: 50% of their offspring would have the disease.
Question 36 Report
The temporary union of two organisms and the exchange of micronuclear elements is called
Answer Details
The temporary union of two organisms and the exchange of micronuclear elements is called "conjugation". Conjugation is a process of sexual reproduction in some single-celled organisms, such as certain bacteria and protozoa. During conjugation, two organisms come together and form a temporary union. They exchange genetic material through a small opening that forms between them, allowing the exchange of micronuclear elements, such as DNA. The exchanged micronuclear elements contain genetic information that can be used to produce new offspring with different genetic traits from the parent organisms. This allows for increased genetic diversity within a population, which can be important for adaptation and evolution. In summary, conjugation is a process of temporary union and genetic exchange between two organisms, which can lead to increased genetic diversity within a population.
Question 37 Report
Which of the following cycles involves the process of precipitation and transpiration?
Answer Details
The cycle that involves the process of precipitation and transpiration is the water cycle. The water cycle is the process by which water circulates through the Earth's environment. It starts with the evaporation of water from bodies of water, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as from the soil and plants through a process called transpiration. This water vapor then rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses into clouds. When these clouds become heavy enough, the water falls back to Earth as precipitation, which can take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Once the precipitation falls to the ground, it can either be absorbed by the soil and become groundwater or run off into bodies of water. From there, the cycle starts again. In summary, the water cycle involves the process of precipitation, which is the falling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, as well as the process of transpiration, which is the release of water vapor from plants. This cycle is essential for providing fresh water to living things and maintaining the Earth's environment.
Question 38 Report
The energy released by 1 gram of glucose is
Answer Details
The energy released by 1 gram of glucose is about 4 kcal. To put it simply, when our bodies break down glucose, a type of sugar that is a source of energy, it releases energy that we can use. This energy is measured in units of calories, and 1 kilocalorie (kcal) is equivalent to 1,000 calories. So, when 1 gram of glucose is broken down, it releases approximately 4 kcal of energy.
Question 39 Report
Blood circulation in a mammal is said to be double because
Answer Details
The majority of mammals (including humans) utilize a double circulatory system. This means we have two loops in our body in which blood circulates. One is oxygenated, meaning oxygen rich, and the other is deoxygenated, which means it has little to no oxygen, but a lot of carbon dioxide.
Question 40 Report
The process in which plant uses sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water is called
Answer Details
The process in which plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water is called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a crucial process that enables plants to produce their own food and is responsible for releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll, a pigment found in their leaves and other green parts, to capture energy from sunlight. This energy is used to combine carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. The glucose produced is then used by the plant as an energy source to fuel its growth and other metabolic processes. In summary, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, which they use to synthesize nutrients and sustain their growth and survival.
