WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2022

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The organ level of organization in living things is found in the kidney. An organ is a group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function in the body. The kidney is an example of an organ because it is made up of different types of tissues that work together to filter and remove waste products from the blood, regulate fluid balance, and maintain electrolyte balance. In contrast, a waterleaf plant is made up of different types of tissues, but does not have organs like the kidney. A virus particle is not considered a living organism and does not have levels of organization like living things. Spermatozoon is a single cell and is not considered an organ or a level of organization.

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Protease J would react with the particular illustrated substance because enzymes are specific in their action. Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions in living organisms. Each enzyme is designed to catalyze a specific reaction by binding to a specific substrate, which is the substance it acts upon. This specificity is crucial for enzyme function and efficiency. In the given scenario, protease J is a type of enzyme that specifically acts on proteins. Proteases are responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides or individual amino acids. When protease J encounters the illustrated substance, which represents a food substance, it is likely a protein-based food. Protease J has a specific structure that allows it to bind to the protein molecules present in the food substance. Once bound, protease J catalyzes the hydrolysis reaction, breaking the protein into smaller components. This process is highly specific to proteins and does not occur with other types of food substances. Therefore, the reason protease J would react with the particular illustrated substance is because enzymes, including proteases, are specific in their action. They recognize and interact with specific substrates, enabling the catalysis of specific chemical reactions.

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The statement "males are never carriers since they only receive one sex chromosome" is not correct when talking about sex-linked traits. Sex-linked traits are genetic traits that are carried on the sex chromosomes, specifically the X and Y chromosomes. In humans, females have two X chromosomes (XX) while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). Since sex-linked traits are located on the X chromosome, they can be inherited differently between males and females. Females can be carriers of sex-linked traits because they have two X chromosomes. If a female inherits a defective allele for a sex-linked trait from one parent but a normal allele from the other parent, she can be heterozygous for the trait. In this case, she carries the defective allele but does not express the trait herself. However, she can pass it on to her offspring, both male and female. On the other hand, males have only one X chromosome. If a male inherits a defective allele for a sex-linked trait on his X chromosome, he will express that trait since he does not have another copy of the X chromosome to mask the effects of the defective allele. Therefore, males are more likely to exhibit sex-linked traits compared to females. In summary, the statement that males are never carriers since they only receive one sex chromosome is incorrect. Females can be carriers of sex-linked traits, while males are more likely to express the trait if they inherit a defective allele on their single X chromosome.

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The process by which the amount of water and solutes in the blood is controlled is called osmoregulation. Osmoregulation is the process by which living organisms maintain a balance of water and solutes within their bodies. In animals, the kidneys play a crucial role in osmoregulation, regulating the concentration of solutes such as sodium and potassium ions in the blood, as well as the amount of water that is retained or excreted. In plants, osmoregulation involves the movement of water and solutes in and out of the plant cells to maintain turgor pressure, which helps keep the plant rigid and upright. Therefore, the correct answer is osmoregulation.

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P - sperm cell:

III. Nucleus     IV. Mitochondria

Q- Egg cell: 

I. Nucleus       II. Cytoplasm.

Sperm-egg fusion is a cell-cell membrane fusion event essential for the propagation of sexually reproducing organisms.

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Based on the diagrams, the answer is III and I. The process involves the fusion of two cells: one with a large vesicle (cell P) and another with a smaller vesicle (cell Q). The fusion of these two cells allows the contents of the larger vesicle to be released and processed by the enzymes in the smaller vesicle. In more detail, the process involves the fusion of the membrane of the large vesicle (III) with the membrane of the smaller vesicle (I). This fusion creates a pore that allows the contents of the large vesicle to enter the smaller vesicle. The enzymes in the smaller vesicle then process the contents of the large vesicle, and the resulting molecules are released from the smaller vesicle through its membrane (II). Therefore, the parts of P and Q that fuse to complete the biological process are III and I.

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The position occupied by each of the organisms J, K, L, M, and N in the food chain is known as the trophic level. Trophic levels refer to the hierarchical levels of the food chain, where each level represents a different group of organisms that have similar functions in the transfer of energy and nutrients from one level to the next. The first level of the trophic level comprises producers, which are usually plants that produce their food using photosynthesis. The second level is occupied by primary consumers, which are herbivores that feed on the producers. The third level consists of secondary consumers, which are carnivores that feed on the primary consumers, and so on. Each level of the trophic level represents a different level of energy transfer and nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.

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The process that brings about the shrinking of a spirogyra cell when placed in a strong solution is plasmolysis. Plasmolysis is a phenomenon that occurs when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (a solution with a higher concentration of solutes than the cell). Water moves out of the cell through osmosis, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall. In the case of spirogyra, a freshwater green algae, when it is placed in a strong salt solution, water moves out of the cell through osmosis, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall, and the cell becomes flaccid. This process is called plasmolysis. Therefore, the process that brings about the shrinking of a spirogyra cell when placed in a strong solution is plasmolysis.

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Higher and more complex animals like birds and mammals can reproduce only by sexual means.

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The practice that will not maintain soil fertility is "tendency of becoming waterlogged". When soil becomes waterlogged, it means it is excessively saturated with water, leading to low oxygen content. This condition does not support the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms that are essential for soil fertility. It also leads to the leaching of important nutrients from the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid this practice and implement soil management techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping, mulching, and organic fertilization to maintain soil fertility.

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Succession is the process of gradual change in the species composition of a community over time. It can be primary, which occurs in a newly formed habitat without any pre-existing organisms, or secondary, which occurs in a disturbed habitat where some organisms already exist. One of the main biological associations that contribute directly to succession in a community is competition. Competition occurs when two or more organisms require the same resources such as food, water, light, or space. As the community develops, the competition for resources becomes more intense, leading to the dominance of certain species over others. This dominance results in changes in the community structure and composition, as some species become more successful at obtaining resources than others. This can lead to a shift in the dominant species as the community develops, a process known as ecological succession. Predation, parasitism, and commensalism are not direct contributors to succession. Although they can affect the distribution and abundance of species in a community, they do not directly influence the order in which different species replace each other during succession. Therefore, the correct answer is option A - competition.

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The major source of vitamin A are egg yolk, carrot, and palm oil. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and immune function. It is also important for the normal growth and development of cells and tissues in the body. Egg yolk is a good source of vitamin A because it contains carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A in the body. Carrots are also a rich source of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. Palm oil is another source of carotenoids and is commonly used in many countries as a cooking oil and food ingredient. While other foods may contain some amount of vitamin A, such as liver, green vegetables, and milk, they are not considered to be as rich a source as egg yolk, carrot, and palm oil. Therefore, egg yolk, carrot, and palm oil are considered the major sources of vitamin A in the diet.

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The possible genotypes of the original plants could be TT and Tt. In this scenario, we are crossing two tall plants, which means they both have the allele for tall height (T). When these two plants are crossed, their offspring in the F1 generation will all be tall because they inherit a copy of the tall allele from each parent (Tt). Now, when the F1 plants are selfed, meaning they are allowed to reproduce with each other, the resulting F2 generation shows a mixture of tall and short plants. This indicates that there is a presence of a recessive allele for short height (t). To have a mixture of tall and short plants in the F2 generation, the original plants must have been heterozygous for the height trait. This means that one parent carried two copies of the tall allele (TT), while the other parent carried one copy of the tall allele and one copy of the short allele (Tt). When these plants are crossed, there is a 25% chance of producing offspring with the genotype TT (tall), a 50% chance of producing offspring with the genotype Tt (tall), and a 25% chance of producing offspring with the genotype tt (short). Therefore, the possible genotypes of the original plants are TT and Tt, where TT represents a homozygous tall genotype and Tt represents a heterozygous tall genotype.

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The region of a plant stem in which cells divide to increase its diameter is called the cambium. The cambium is a thin layer of meristematic cells located between the xylem and phloem in the stem and root of a plant. It produces new cells that differentiate into secondary xylem (wood) towards the inside and secondary phloem (inner bark) towards the outside of the stem. The cambium is responsible for the radial growth of the plant, which increases the diameter of the stem over time.

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A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular place is known as a population. Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area at the same time and have the potential to interbreed. For example, a population of fish in a pond, a population of deer in a forest, or a population of bacteria in a petri dish. Populations can vary in size and can be affected by factors such as birth and death rates, immigration, and emigration. Understanding populations is important in ecology, as it can help us understand how populations interact with each other and their environment, and how they change over time.

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The pyramid that is not used in ecology is the pyramid of organisms. This is because the other three options - energy, numbers, and biomass - are the three main types of ecological pyramids that are commonly used to describe different aspects of ecosystems. The pyramid of energy shows the flow of energy through an ecosystem and how much energy is transferred from one trophic level to another. It typically has a triangular shape, with the primary producers at the base and the top predators at the apex. The pyramid of numbers shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level of an ecosystem. This pyramid can have different shapes, depending on the ecosystem being studied. The pyramid of biomass shows the total amount of living organic matter, or biomass, at each trophic level of an ecosystem. This pyramid can also have different shapes, depending on the ecosystem being studied. In contrast, the pyramid of organisms is not commonly used in ecology because it is difficult to measure and does not provide as much information about the structure and function of an ecosystem as the other three types of pyramids.

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The feature that is not an adaptation is: - Hairy structures on the leaves to reduce water loss Explanation: Adaptations are traits that have evolved over time in response to environmental pressures. They provide an advantage to the organism in its environment, increasing its chances of survival and reproduction. Breathing roots for entry air, flowers raised above water to attract pollinators, and spongy tissues containing gases for buoyancy are all adaptations. However, hairy structures on the leaves to reduce water loss are not necessarily adaptations. While they may help reduce water loss in some environments, they are not always present in all plants and may not confer a significant advantage in all environments. Therefore, this feature cannot be considered a universal adaptation.

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The organelles in cells that are commonly known as suicidal bags are called lysosomes. Lysosomes are small, spherical organelles that are surrounded by a membrane and contain powerful digestive enzymes. These enzymes are capable of breaking down a wide variety of biomolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. The term "suicidal bags" refers to the fact that lysosomes have the ability to destroy themselves, as well as other parts of the cell. If a lysosome's membrane is damaged, its digestive enzymes can leak out and damage other organelles, ultimately leading to the death of the cell. Lysosomes play an essential role in maintaining the health and function of cells. They are responsible for breaking down and recycling old or damaged organelles, as well as foreign substances that may have entered the cell. Without lysosomes, cells would quickly become overloaded with waste and eventually die.

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Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins into smaller molecules called amino acids. The food substances depicted in diagrams K, L, M, and N are all proteins. Therefore, when protease J reacts with any of these food substances, the end product would be amino acids. During the reaction, the protease J breaks down the protein in the food substance into individual amino acids by breaking the peptide bonds between them. This process is called hydrolysis, and it requires the addition of water molecules to break the bonds. Fatty acids and glucose are not end products of the breakdown of proteins by proteases. Fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids, while glucose is a type of sugar. Water is not an end product either; it is required in the hydrolysis reaction to break the peptide bonds between amino acids. Therefore, the correct answer is option C - amino acids.

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An evidence of the occurrence of photosynthesis in an experiment is the release of oxygen. During photosynthesis, plants and other photosynthetic organisms use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose (a type of sugar). The oxygen produced by photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere as a waste product. While the other options listed - release of carbon dioxide, formation of water molecules, and formation and release of fructose - are all part of the chemical reactions that occur during photosynthesis, they are not necessarily evidence of the occurrence of photosynthesis. For example, the release of carbon dioxide could be a result of cellular respiration (the process by which cells release energy from glucose), rather than photosynthesis. Similarly, the formation of water molecules and fructose could occur in other metabolic pathways, not just photosynthesis. Therefore, the most specific and direct evidence of the occurrence of photosynthesis in an experiment is the release of oxygen.

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1.(a) Classification of specimens A and C according to thier lifecycle
         A: Annual/perennial
        C: Annual

     b)  Observable diferences between specimens
         A and C

Ways by which the damage to specimen A could have been prevented
Storage in air-tight containers/vacuum seal the bean seeds/add oxygen absorber

i. Use of pesticides/fumiganting/secticide

ii. Freezing

iv. Irradiation/radiation of seeds

v.Hygienic storage on sanitation

d) Type of germination of specimens A and C when planted 
A: Epigeal
C: Hypogeal

[ei]Drawing/diagram of longitudinal section
L.S.)of specimen C/maize grain

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[a] 

[b] Differences between a herbivore and a carnivore:

1. Diet: Herbivores primarily consume plant material, such as leaves, grass, and fruits, while carnivores eat mainly meat or animal tissue.

2. Teeth structure: Herbivores typically have specialized teeth for grinding and chewing plant matter, such as flat molars and incisors, while carnivores have sharp teeth, including canines and carnassials, for tearing and cutting flesh.

3. Digestive system: Herbivores have a longer digestive tract to break down and extract nutrients from plant material, while carnivores have a shorter digestive system as they obtain nutrients more easily from animal tissue. Differences between a human and a goat:

1. Anatomy: Humans have an upright posture and bipedal locomotion, while goats have a four-legged stance and quadrupedal locomotion.

2. Diet: Humans are omnivorous and have a diverse diet that includes both plant and animal-based food, while goats are herbivores and primarily graze on vegetation.

3. Communication: Humans have developed complex language systems for communication, while goats primarily communicate through vocalizations, body language, and scent marking.

4. Habitat and lifestyle: Humans have a wide range of habitats and live in diverse social structures, while goats are typically found in specific regions, such as mountains or grasslands, and live in herds.

[c] Milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that humans and many other mammals develop. These teeth begin to emerge during infancy and are eventually replaced by permanent teeth as a child grows. Milk teeth play an important role in the early stages of life. They help infants and young children chew and break down food, facilitating proper digestion. These teeth also aid in speech development, as they enable the tongue and lips to make various sounds accurately. Milk teeth are temporary, and as the child grows, they gradually loosen and fall out. This process allows space for the permanent teeth to erupt and take their place. Generally, humans have 20 milk teeth, which include incisors, canines, and molars. The transition from milk teeth to permanent teeth usually occurs between the ages of 6 and 12. During this period, children experience the natural loss of milk teeth and the emergence of their permanent teeth. The permanent teeth are larger, stronger, and meant to last throughout adulthood.

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a. i. Specimen H has scales while specimen L has feathers. ii. Specimen K has fins while specimen M has flippers. b. i. Specimen H has a beak that is adapted for cracking hard shells of nuts and seeds. It also has strong feet and claws for perching and grasping food. ii. Specimen M has streamlined flippers that are adapted for swimming and diving. It also has a thick layer of blubber for insulation in cold water. ii. The organism that possesses specimen H feeds on nuts and seeds, while it also feeds on insects. c. I'm sorry, as an AI language model, I'm not able to make a drawing. d. The habitat of the organism that possesses specimen K is the aquatic environment, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. e. The organism that possesses specimen H feeds on nuts, seeds, and insects, while the organism that possesses specimen L feeds on nectar and insects. f. i. Specimens H and L both have wings. ii. Specimens K and M both have adaptations for swimming in aquatic environments, with K having fins and M having flippers.

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[c} Human and goat

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a) Differences between the alimentary canals of earthworm and cockroach: 1. Earthworm: The alimentary canal of an earthworm is a straight tube running from the mouth to the anus, consisting of the pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard, intestine, and anus. Cockroach: The alimentary canal of a cockroach is a long, coiled tube consisting of the mouth, esophagus, crop, gizzard, stomach, gastric ceca, Malpighian tubules, and rectum. 2. Earthworm: Earthworms are herbivorous, and their alimentary canal is specialized for the digestion of plant matter, including cellulose. Cockroach: Cockroaches are omnivorous, and their alimentary canal is adapted for the digestion of both plant and animal matter. 3. Earthworm: Earthworms lack specialized structures for grinding food. Instead, they rely on muscular contractions of the gizzard for mechanical digestion. Cockroach: Cockroaches have a specialized structure called the gizzard, which helps in the mechanical breakdown of food. Similarities between the alimentary canals of earthworm and cockroach: 1. Both earthworms and cockroaches have a similar arrangement of digestive structures, including the crop and gizzard, which aid in food storage and mechanical digestion, respectively. 2. Both earthworms and cockroaches have a one-way digestive system, where food travels in a single direction from the mouth to the anus. 3. Both earthworms and cockroaches have specialized regions in their alimentary canals for the absorption of nutrients, such as the intestine in earthworms and the stomach in cockroaches. b) [i] The biological cycle: The diagram is not provided, so it's not possible to determine the name of the biological cycle or answer the subsequent questions related to it. c) Organs associated with excretion in humans: - Kidneys - Urinary bladder - Ureter - Urethra Three diseases that affect the organ: - Kidneys: Chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, urinary tract infections - Urinary bladder: Bladder infections, bladder cancer, urinary incontinence - Ureter: Ureteral stones, ureteral obstruction, urinary reflux d) [i] Decay of organic matter: Decay of organic matter refers to the natural process of breaking down organic substances, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler compounds through the action of decomposer organisms. (ii) Two groups of organisms that cause decay of organic matter are bacteria and fungi. (iii) One other factor that causes decay is environmental conditions, including temperature, moisture, and availability of oxygen. (iv) The biological cycle that involves decay is the nutrient cycle or biogeochemical cycle. e) Mode of nutrition in carnivorous plants: Carnivorous plants have a unique mode of nutrition where they supplement their nutrient requirements by capturing and digesting small animals, usually insects. These plants typically grow in habitats where the soil lacks sufficient nutrients. To compensate for this, they have evolved specialized structures such as modified leaves, trapping mechanisms (such as pitcher traps or sticky glands), and digestive enzymes. When an insect or other small prey gets trapped, the plant secretes digestive enzymes onto it. These enzymes break down the prey's body into simpler compounds, such as amino acids and sugars, which the plant can then absorb and utilize as nutrients. Carnivorous plants primarily obtain nitrogen and other essential nutrients from the decomposition of the captured prey. This unique mode of nutrition allows them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments where other plants may struggle to survive.

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A herbivore and a carnivore are two types of animals that have different feeding habits. Herbivores primarily eat plants, while carnivores primarily eat other animals. Here are three differences between the definitions of herbivores and carnivores: 1. Feeding Habits: Herbivores are animals that consume only plants, while carnivores are animals that consume only other animals. This means that herbivores have adaptations such as long intestines and specialized teeth for grinding and breaking down tough plant material, while carnivores have adaptations such as sharp teeth and strong jaws for catching and tearing apart their prey. 2. Nutrient Requirements: Herbivores and carnivores have different nutrient requirements. Herbivores need to consume a large quantity of plant material to obtain enough energy and nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. Carnivores, on the other hand, obtain their energy and nutrients from consuming other animals, which provide them with high-quality protein and fat. 3. Digestive System: Herbivores and carnivores have different digestive systems. Herbivores have a longer digestive tract and more complex digestive system, including a specialized stomach, multiple stomach chambers, and microorganisms in their gut that help break down plant material. Carnivores, on the other hand, have a shorter digestive tract and a simpler digestive system, as they primarily consume meat, which is easier to digest.

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a. i. A cell is the basic unit of life, which is capable of carrying out all the functions necessary for an organism's survival. ii. The three scientists associated with the discovery of the cell are Robert Hooke, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, and Matthias Schleiden. b. i. Diagram of a plant cell with the organelle responsible for cell production labeled: [Please note that plant cells do not produce cells by mitosis, which is a process of cell division. They produce cells by the process of mitosis.]  ii. The blood cell in humans that does not have the organelle responsible for cell production is the red blood cell (also known as erythrocytes). iii. The biological implication of the red blood cell not possessing the organelle responsible for cell reproduction is that they cannot undergo cell division or replication. Therefore, they are incapable of producing new cells, which limits their lifespan and the amount of oxygen they can carry. c. Six organelles found in a plant cell are: i. Nucleus - contains the genetic material of the cell. ii. Cell wall - provides structural support to the cell. iii. Chloroplasts - responsible for photosynthesis and producing food for the plant cell. iv. Mitochondria - involved in energy production through cellular respiration. v. Endoplasmic reticulum - involved in protein and lipid synthesis. vi. Golgi apparatus - involved in the packaging, processing, and secretion of proteins and lipids.

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Milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, baby teeth, or primary teeth, are the first set of teeth that humans develop. These teeth usually start to emerge around 6 months of age and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth from around 6 years old onwards. Milk teeth serve several important functions, including aiding in speech development, facilitating proper chewing and digestion of food, and holding space in the jaw for the eventual eruption of permanent teeth. Milk teeth are smaller and whiter in color than permanent teeth and have thinner enamel, which makes them more prone to decay and cavities. It is important to take care of milk teeth by brushing them regularly and limiting sugary foods and drinks to help prevent tooth decay. In summary, milk teeth are the first set of teeth that humans develop, which serve important functions for proper chewing and digestion of food, speech development, and holding space for permanent teeth.

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(a)(i) habitats of specimens of D and E

        D:     Termatarium/anthill/old logs of trees/mounds dead tree stumps

        E:      nest/hive

(ii) observable structural differences between specimens D and E

[iii] (iii) Behavioural adaptation common1o specimens D and E
Social insects/nuptial flight/swarming

(b) Economic importance of specimen E

a. Production of honey

b. Production of beeswax/wax

c. Pollinating agent d. Employment

e. Their stings lead to allergies/anaphylactic shock/difficulty in breathing/rashes/skin irritations

f. Their stings could lead to death.

{c} Table

d[i]  mode of feeding specimens G herbivorous

  ii   ways by which specimen G adapts its organism to its mode of feeding

 a.   sharp/chisel shaped/curved incisors for cutting vegetation/leaves /food/gnawing/bibbling/bitting

 b.    broad/ridged surface of premolar ; for grinding /chewing 

Presence of  diastema/space between incisor
grinding/chewing and premolar, allows the rolling of food into bolus/its separates.freshly cut food/grass from the one being chewed.

e.Mineral element needed for the proper functioning of specimen G

 i.Calcium           ii. Phosphorus  iii. Copper
 iv.Boron             v. Zinc              vi. Copper

 vii.Magnesium   viii. Iron           ix. Potassium

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(a) Conservation laws are fundamental principles in physics that state that certain physical properties, such as energy, momentum, and angular momentum, are conserved during interactions between particles or objects. (i) Three conservation laws are: 1. The conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another. 2. The conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force. 3. The conservation of angular momentum, which states that the total angular momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external torque. (b) Two reasons why animals are poached are for their valuable parts such as ivory, fur, and organs, and for use in traditional medicines or cultural practices. (i) Five animals that are commonly poached are: 1. Elephants for their ivory tusks 2. Rhinoceroses for their horns 3. Tigers for their fur and bones 4. Pangolins for their scales and meat 5. Gorillas for their meat and body parts (c) Four effects of excessive use of the forest are: 1. Deforestation, which can lead to habitat loss and a decrease in biodiversity. 2. Soil erosion, which can cause landslides and decreased soil fertility. 3. Climate change, as forests absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and their removal can contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions. 4. Disruption of water cycles, as forests play a key role in regulating water flow and maintaining water quality. (d) i. Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood or blood products from one person (the donor) into the bloodstream of another person (the recipient). It is often used in medical emergencies, such as to replace blood lost during surgery or trauma, or to treat certain medical conditions such as anemia. ii. An antigen is a substance that is capable of eliciting an immune response in the body, such as by causing the production of antibodies. In the context of blood transfusions, antigens are found on the surface of red blood cells and can cause an immune response if they are not compatible with the recipient's blood type. This can lead to complications such as hemolysis, a breakdown of red blood cells. Matching blood types between donor and recipient is crucial to avoid these complications.

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(a) Ecological niche: An ecological niche refers to the specific role and position that an organism occupies within an ecosystem. It includes the interactions and relationships of the organism with its environment, including other organisms, resources, and physical factors. Essentially, the ecological niche describes how an organism fits into its ecosystem and the functions it performs within that system. (i) Roles played by a mango tree in its ecological niche: 1. Primary producer: Mango trees are photosynthetic organisms, converting sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. They produce organic compounds (such as sugars) using carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. 2. Habitat provider: Mango trees provide shelter and habitat for various organisms such as birds, insects, and small mammals. They offer nesting sites, food sources, and protection from predators. 3. Oxygen producer: Through photosynthesis, mango trees release oxygen into the atmosphere, contributing to the oxygen supply necessary for many organisms to survive. 4. Food source: Mango trees bear fruit, which serves as a food source for animals, including humans. The fruits provide nourishment and contribute to the diet and survival of many organisms. 5. Soil stabilization: The roots of mango trees help prevent soil erosion by binding the soil particles together, reducing the risk of landslides and maintaining the stability of the surrounding environment. (b) Ecologists use sampling techniques in population studies for two main reasons: (i) Reasons for using sampling techniques in population studies: 1. Practicality: It is often impossible or impractical to study an entire population due to factors such as time, cost, or logistics. Sampling allows ecologists to gather data from a representative subset of the population, providing insights into the larger population as a whole. 2. Accuracy: When properly designed and executed, sampling techniques can provide accurate and reliable information about a population. By collecting data from a well-selected sample, ecologists can make inferences and draw conclusions about the population with a reasonable level of confidence. (i) Examples of sampling techniques used in population studies: 1. Random sampling: This involves randomly selecting individuals from the population, ensuring that each member has an equal chance of being chosen. It helps to avoid bias and provides a representative sample. 2. Stratified sampling: This technique involves dividing the population into subgroups or strata based on specific characteristics and then randomly selecting individuals from each subgroup. It ensures representation from different groups within the population. (c) Types of fingerprints in humans: The four main types of fingerprints in humans are: 1. Loop: This type of fingerprint forms ridges that enter from one side, curve, and exit from the same side. It resembles a loop shape. 2. Whorl: Whorl fingerprints have ridges that form circular or spiral patterns. They have at least one ridge that makes a complete circuit. 3. Arch: Arch fingerprints have ridges that enter from one side and exit from the other side, forming a slight rise in the center. They do not make loops or circles. 4. Composite: Composite fingerprints are a combination of two or more of the above types. They may exhibit characteristics of both loop and whorl, or loop and arch patterns. (d) The plant used by Gregor Mendel in his experiment: The plant used by Gregor Mendel in his experiments on inheritance and genetics was the garden pea plant, scientifically known as Pisum sativum. (ii) Reasons why the garden pea plant was used: 1. Easy to cultivate: The garden pea plant is relatively easy to grow and cultivate, allowing for large-scale experiments and the controlled breeding of different varieties. 2. Observable traits: The garden pea plant exhibits distinct and easily observable traits, such as flower color (purple or white), seed shape (round or wrinkled), and plant height (tall or short). These traits