WAEC 2025: BIOLOGY PRATICAL MADE EASY

WAEC CHIEF EXAMINATION REPORT

WASSCE MAY/JUNE BIOLOGY PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS AND GUIDES

SPECIMENS	NAMES
A	BEAN WEEVIL
B	BEAN SEED WITH HOLE
C	WHOLE WATERLEAF PLANT
. D	QUILL FEATHER
. E	LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF PINEAPPLE FRUIT
F	ORANGE FRUIT (Transverse section)
G	RAW EGG OF A DOMESTIC FOWL
. H	TEST TUBE CONTAINING 3ML OF WATER
J	LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF BOILED EGG

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS ON SPECIMEN A

Zoological Classification:

Taxonomic Rank	Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta

Sourced 9/05/2025: wikipedia

Identify specimen A. Answer: Bean weevil.
What type of metamorphosis does specimen A undergo? Answer: Complete metamorphosis.
State two observable features of specimen A. Answer: 1. It has a small body size. 2. It has an oval body shape. 3. It has a pair of antennae. 4. Presence of a pair of mandibles and a pair of maxillae for chewing the seed tissue
Write (3) economic importance of specimen A. Answer: 1. It is a pest that destroys stored legumes such as beans. 2. Reduce quality of seed. 3. reduces market value of seed 4. makes seeds unattractive
Botanical Classification of A 1. Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Anthropoda; Class: Insecta
Write (3) adaptations for survival for specimen A: Answers 1. Small size allows easy penetration and hiding within beans. 2. A hard exoskeleton protects against desiccation and physical damage. 3. Efficient reproductive strategy: lays eggs directly on host food source 4. Can survive for long periods without food once mature.
List (3) control measures for Specimen A 1. Proper drying and storage of beans 2. Use of airtight containers 3. Fumigation in Large-Scale Storage Systems

Identify specimen B: Answer: Bean seed with holes.
What caused the hole observed in specimen B? Answer: Larval feeding and emergence of the bean weevil (Specimen A).
Write (2) Observable features of specimen B. Answers: 1. It is a dried bean seed with one or more circular holes visible on the surface. 2. The holes are caused by larval feeding of a bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus or related species).
What is the relationship between specimens A and B? Answer: Specimen A is a pest that feeds on specimen B, damaging it.
State two effects of the condition observed in specimen B. Answer: Reduced seed viability and lower economic value.
Suggest two methods for preventing this type of damage. Answer: Proper drying and airtight storage; use of natural repellents like ash or neem.
Name the part of the seed mostly consumed by the larva. Answer: Cotyledon.
Write Taxonomy Classification of Specimen B, Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta (Angiosperm), Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Sources of Food for Specimen A: Protein and carbohydrates

Specimen C: WHOLE WATERLEAF PLANT

Botanical Classification:

Taxonomic Rank	Classification
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta (Angiosperms)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)

1.     Identify specimen C. Answer: Waterleaf plant (Talinum triangulare).
2    Mention the class of plants to which specimen C belongs. Answer: Dicotyledons.

3.     List two observable features of the stem. Answer: Green and fleshy; soft and flexible.

4.     State one function of the succulent leaves. Answer: Storage of water.

5.     State two economic uses of specimen C. Answer: Used as a leafy vegetable; helps in soil erosion control.

6.     Describe how you would propagate specimen C. Answer: By planting stem cuttings in moist soil.

7.     State one adaptation of specimen C to water conservation. Answer: Succulent leaves reduce water loss and store moisture.

8.     Mention one way specimen C differs from a woody plant. Answer: Specimen C has a soft stem, whereas woody plants have hard, lignified stems.

Zoological Classification (for a domestic bird feather):

Taxonomic Rank	Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves

1. Identify specimen D Answer: Quill feather.

2. Name two parts of specimen D Answer: Rachis and vane (or calamus and barbs).

3. Mention the type of animal from which specimen D is obtained. Answer: Bird (e.g., domestic fowl).

4. State one function of the structure in specimen D. Answer: Used for flight or protection.

5. Explain how specimen D is adapted to its function Answer: The interlocking barbs and barbules create a flat, aerodynamic surface for efficient flight.

6. Mention one way in which specimen D differs from mammalian hair. Answer: Specimen D has a central shaft with barbs and barbules, while mammalian hair is a single filament without branche

1. State the functions of the quill feather. 1. Flight 2. Provides lift and balance for flying birds (especially wing feathers). 3. Protection: Protects skin from environmental factors (e.g., water, sun). 4. Insulation: Helps retain body heat. 5. Display: Used for attracting mates (especially in birds like peacocks). 6. Camouflage helps birds blend with their environment.

2. State the adaptations of the Quill Feather: 1. Lightweight but strong due to the hollow shaft and interlocking barbs 2. Flexible vane allows aerodynamic movement. 3. Barbs and barbules form a smooth surface, minimizing air resistance. 3. Preening behavior helps maintain structure and waterproofing (with oil from the uropygial gland).

SPECIMEN E – LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF PINEAPPLE FRUIT

Common Name: Pineapple
Botanical Name: Ananas comosus

Q1. Identify Specimen E.
A: Longitudinal section of pineapple fruit (Ananas comosus)

Q2. State the class to which Specimen E belongs.
A: Monocotyledonae

Q3. Mention three observable features of Specimen E.
A:
(i) Succulent mesocarp or flesh
(ii) Fibrous core (central cylinder)
(iii) Rough scaly outer skin (epicarp)

Q4. State three uses of the pineapple fruit to humans.
A:
(i) It is eaten as a refreshing fruit rich in vitamin C (ii) it serves as medicine
(iii) It is used in juice and jam production

Q5. What type of fruit is the pineapple?
A: Multiple or composite fruit (formed from a cluster of flowers)

Q6. What is the mode of propagation of the pineapple plant?
A: Vegetative propagation using suckers, crownsor slips

Q7. Mention two parts seen in the longitudinal section of pineapple.
A:
(i) Core (fibrous centre)
(ii) Edible fleshy part (mesocarp)

Q8. How is Specimen E adapted to its mode of dispersal?
A:
(i) The fruit is juicy and sweet, which attracts animals for ingestion and seed dispersal
(ii) Bright colouration makes it visible and attractive to birds and animals

Q9. What type of placentation is found in a pineapple?
A: Axile placentation (in individual flowers within the fruitlets)

Taxonomic Rank	Classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum/Division

Angiosperm (Magnoliophyta)

Class

Dicotyledonae

Classification:

Taxonomic Rank	Classification
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum/Division	Angiosperm (Magnoliophyta)
Class	Dicotyledonae
Order	Sapindales
Family	Rutaceae
Genus	Citrus
Species	Citrus sinensis

External and Internal Features (as seen in transverse section):

Epicarp (outer skin/peel):
- Bright orange or yellowish in color
- Tough and leathery, contains oil glands
Mesocarp (white spongy layer):
- Whitish layer beneath the peel
- Also called the albedo
Endocarp (inner edible pulp):
- Composed of juicy carpels (segments)
- Each carpel contains juice sacs and sometimes seeds
Central Core:
- The center of the fruit holding all segments together

🍊 Type of Fruit:

Hesperidium – a modified berry with a leathery rind and juicy segments

🌍 Functions/Uses of Orange:

Rich source of vitamin C
Used in making juice, jam, and marmalade
Boosts immunity and prevents scurvy
The peel is used in perfumes and flavoring

🌱 Adaptations for Seed Dispersal:

Juicy and sweet pulp attracts animals
Bright color attracts fruit-eating birds and mammals
Seeds are sometimes swallowed and dispersed via droppings (endozoochory)

Possible WAEC QUESTIONS

Q1. Identify Specimen F.
A: Transverse section of orange fruit (Citrus sinensis)

Q2. State the class to which the plant bearing Specimen F belongs.
A: Dicotyledonae

Q3. Mention three visible parts in the transverse section of the fruit.
A:
(i) Epicarp (outer skin)
(ii) Mesocarp (white inner layer)
(iii) Endocarp (juicy segments)

Q4. What type of placentation is found in the fruit?
A: Axile placentation

Q5. What is the nature of the fruit?
A: It is a true, fleshy, indehiscent fruit (specifically a hesperidium)

Q6. State the type of fruit development involved in Specimen F.
A: It develops from a superior ovary of a single flower (simple fruit)

Q7. List two economic uses of Specimen F.
A:
(i) Production of fruit juice and beverages
(ii) Used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

Q8. Mention two reasons why Specimen F is classified as a dicot.
A:
(i) Presence of two cotyledons in the seed
(ii) Presence of branched leaf venation (from the parent plant)

Q9. What type of symmetry is displayed by the transverse section of Specimen F?
A: Radial symmetry

Q10. Which part of Specimen F is eaten by man?
A: The endocarp (the juicy pulp or segments)

Q11. How many locules (chambers) can be observed in the transverse section?
A: Typically 8–12 chambers (depending on the variety)

Summary Table: Diferrence between Orange and Pineapple

Feature	Orange (Specimen F)	Pineapple (Specimen E)
Fruit Type	Simple, fleshy fruit	Multiple, composite fruit
Origin	One flower, one ovary	Many flowers, many ovaries
Number of ovaries	One	Many
Mode of Dispersal	By animals (edible pulp)	By animals
Placentation	Axile	Axile (per flower in cluster)

A. IDENTIFICATION & CLASSIFICATION

Q1. Identify Specimen G.
A: Specimen G is a raw egg with shell intact.

Q2. State the biological source of Specimen G.
A: The egg is laid by a bird, typically the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Q3. Classify the animal that produces this egg.
A:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Genus: Gallus
Species: Gallus gallus domesticus

B. EXTERNAL FEATURES

Q4. State two observable features of Specimen G.
A:
(i) Oval shape
(ii) Hard, calcareous shell

Q5. What material makes up the shell of Specimen G?
A: Calcium carbonate.

Q6. What is the color of the egg shell?
A: It may be white or light brown, depending on the breed of the bird.

C. INTERNAL STRUCTURE (IF OPENED)

Q7. Name four internal parts of the egg.
A:
(i) Shell membranes
(ii) Albumen (egg white)
(iii) Yolk
(iv) Chalazae

Q8. What is the function of the albumen?
A: It cushions the embryo and provides water and proteins.

Q9. What is the function of the yolk?
A: It serves as the main source of nourishment for the developing embryo.

Q10. What is the function of the chalazae?
A: They anchor the yolk and help keep it suspended in the center of the egg.

D. REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Q11. What type of reproduction is associated with Specimen G?
A: Oviparous reproduction (egg laying).

Q12. What happens to the embryo if the egg is fertilized and incubated?
A: It develops into a chick using the yolk as its nutrient source.

Q13. State whether the egg shown is fertilized or unfertilized.
A: This cannot be determined externally; internal examination or candling is required.

E. ADAPTATION & PROTECTION

Q14. State two protective adaptations of the egg.
A:
(i) Hard calcareous shell protects against mechanical injury.
(ii) Shell membranes act as additional protection against bacterial entry.

Q15. Why is the eggshell porous?
A: To allow gaseous exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).

Q16. What is the function of the air space inside the egg?
A: It provides oxygen for the embryo and helps regulate pressure during developmen

F. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Q17. State two economic uses of eggs.
A:
(i) Source of protein in human diet.
(ii) Used in baking, cooking, and manufacturing (e.g., vaccines, cosmetics).

Q18. Mention one way the egg is used in scientific experiments.
A: It is used to demonstrate osmosis or test for presence of nutrients (e.g., protein).

G. PRACTICAL TESTS

Q19. How can you test for the freshness of an egg?
A: Place the egg in water:

A fresh egg sinks and lies flat.
A stale egg floats due to enlargement of the air space.

Q20. What test can be used to confirm the presence of protein in the egg white?
A: Biuret Test – The egg white turns violet/purple when Biuret reagent is added.

Q21. What test can be used to confirm the presence of fat in the yolk?
A: Grease spot test or Sudan III stain test – shows translucent spots or red-stained fat globules.