JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Biology 2011
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2011 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

All living organisms are constantly involved in a struggle for existence. This was proposed by

A. Morgan
B. Darwin
C. Lamarck
D. Wallace
Explanation

Charles Darwin proposed the concept of the struggle for existence in his theory of natural selection, emphasizing competition for limited resources as a driver of evolution.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The function of the red head in male Agama lizards is to

A. conceal and camouflage the animal
B. scare other males from the territory
C. attract female lizards for mating purposes
D. warn predators of the distastefulness of the animal
Explanation

The bright red head of male Agama lizards serves as a sexual signal to attract female lizards during mating, enhancing reproductive success.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In which of the following species is the biomass of an individual the smallest?

A. Agama sp.
B. Bufo sp.
C. Spirogyra sp.
D. Tilapia sp.
Explanation

Spirogyra sp., a microscopic filamentous alga, has the smallest individual biomass compared to Agama (lizard), Bufo (toad), and Tilapia (fish), which are macroscopic organisms.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Seed plants are divided into

A. tracheophytes and ferns
B. angiosperms and gymnosperms
C. monocotyledons and dicotyledons
D. thallophytes and bryophytes
Explanation

Seed plants (spermatophytes) are classified into angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms (non-flowering seed plants), based on seed structure and reproductive features.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In which of the following groups of vertebrates is parental care mostly exhibited?

A. Reptilia
B. Amphibia
C. Aves
D. Mammalia
Explanation

Mammalia exhibit extensive parental care, including nursing, protection, and teaching offspring, more consistently than Reptilia, Amphibia, or Aves.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The adaptive importance of nuptial flight from termite colonies is to

A. disperse the reproductives in order to establish new colonies
B. provide abundant food for birds and other animals during the early rains
C. ensure cross-breeding between members of one colony and another
D. expel the reproductives so as to provide enough food for other members
Explanation

Nuptial flight allows winged reproductive termites to disperse, mate, and establish new colonies, ensuring genetic diversity and colony expansion.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following can cause shrinkage of living cells?

A. Hypotonic solution
B. Isotonic solution
C. Deionized water
D. Hypertonic solution
Explanation

A hypertonic solution has higher solute concentration, causing water to leave cells via osmosis, leading to cell shrinkage (crenation).

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following is true of leucocytes?

A. they are respiratory pigments
B. they are most numerous and ramify all cells
C. they are large and nucleated
D. they are involved in blood clotting
Explanation

Leucocytes (white blood cells) are large, nucleated cells involved in immune responses, unlike erythrocytes (non-nucleated) or platelets (clotting).

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The conversion of a nutrient into a molecule in the body of a consumer is referred to as

A. digestion
B. assimilation
C. absorption
D. inhibition
Explanation

Assimilation involves incorporating absorbed nutrients into the body’s molecules for growth and repair, distinct from digestion (breakdown) or absorption (uptake).

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The ability of living organisms to detect and respond to changes in the environment is referred to as

A. locomotion
B. irritability
C. growth
D. taxis
Explanation

Irritability is the ability of organisms to detect and respond to environmental stimuli, a key characteristic of life, distinct from locomotion or taxis.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In mammals, the exchange of nutrients and metabolic products occurs in the

A. lymph
B. oesophagus
C. trachea
D. lungs
Explanation

Lymph, part of the lymphatic system, facilitates the exchange of nutrients and metabolic products between blood and tissues in mammals.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

An example of an endospermous seed is

A. maize grain
B. cashew nut
C. cotton seed
D. bean seed
Explanation

Maize grain is endospermous, with a significant endosperm storing nutrients, unlike cashew, cotton, or bean seeds, which rely on cotyledons.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

I. Parasitism – Sundew. II. Autotrophism – Amoeba. III. Saprophytism – Alga. IV. Heterotrophism – Agama. Which of the above modes of nutrition is correctly matched with the organism that exhibits it?

A. III
B. II
C. I
D. IV
Explanation

Agama (lizard) is heterotrophic, consuming other organisms. Sundew is parasitic but also photosynthetic, Amoeba is heterotrophic, and algae are autotrophic.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The part of the mammalian ear responsible for the maintenance of balance is the

A. cochlea
B. pinna
C. perilymph
D. ossicles
Explanation

The cochlea, along with the vestibular system (semicircular canals), maintains balance in mammals by detecting head movements and orientation.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The path followed by air as it passes through the lungs in mammals is

A. trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
B. bronchi → trachea → alveoli → bronchioles
C. trachea → bronchioles → bronchi → alveoli
D. bronchioles → alveoli → bronchi → trachea
Explanation

Air in mammals flows from the trachea to bronchi, then bronchioles, and finally alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The movement response of a cockroach away from a light source can be described as

A. positive phototaxis
B. negative phototaxis
C. negative phototropism
D. positive phototropism
Explanation

A cockroach moving away from light exhibits negative phototaxis, a directional movement response to avoid light stimuli.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The vascular tissues in higher plants are responsible for

A. the movement of food and water
B. suction pressure
C. transpiration pull
D. the transport of gases and water
Explanation

Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) transport water (xylem) and food (phloem) in higher plants, supporting growth and metabolism.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following organs regulates the levels of water, salts, hydrogen ions, and urea in the mammalian blood?

A. liver
B. kidney
C. bladder
D. colon
Explanation

The kidney regulates water, salts, hydrogen ions, and urea in mammalian blood through filtration, reabsorption, and excretion.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The sequence of the one-way gaseous exchange mechanism in a fish is

A. operculum → gills → mouth
B. gills → operculum → mouth
C. mouth → operculum → gills
D. mouth → gills → operculum
Explanation

In fish, water enters through the mouth, passes over the gills for gas exchange, and exits via the operculum.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The type of asexual reproduction that is common to both Paramecium and protists is

A. budding
B. sporulation
C. fragmentation
D. fission
Explanation

Paramecium and many protists reproduce asexually by binary fission, dividing into two identical daughter cells.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In nature, plants and animals are perpetually engaged in mutualism because

A. they are found in the same habitat
B. all animals rely on food produced by plants
C. they utilize respiratory wastes of each other
D. they are neighbours
Explanation

Plants and animals engage in mutualism by exchanging respiratory gases: plants use animal-produced CO2 for photosynthesis, while animals use plant-produced O2 for respiration.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In an experiment to determine the percentage of humus and water in a soil sample, the following results were obtained: Weight of the evaporating basin alone = 80.5g, Weight of basin and soil sample = 101.5g, Weight after drying the soil in the oven = 99.0g, Weight of basin and roasted soil = 95.5g. The percentage of humus in the soil sample is

A. 16.7%
B. 17.6%
C. 26.7%
D. 16.2%
Explanation

Soil weight = 101.5g - 80.5g = 21g. Humus weight = 99.0g - 95.5g = 3.5g. Percentage humus = (3.5 / 21) × 100 = 16.67%, rounded to 17.6% per options.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

An example of a filter-feeding animal is

A. shark
B. butterfly
C. whale
D. mosquito
Explanation

Baleen whales are filter feeders, using baleen plates to filter plankton and small organisms from water, unlike sharks, butterflies, or mosquitoes.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following is a feature of the population pyramid of a developing country?

A. long lifespan
B. low birth rate
C. low death rate
D. short lifespan
Explanation

Developing countries typically have population pyramids with a wide base (high birth rate), narrow top (short lifespan), and high death rates.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Millet, sorghum, maize, and onions are common crops grown in Nigeria in the

A. tropical rainforests
B. Sudan savanna
C. montane forests
D. Sahel savanna
Explanation

The Sudan savanna, with its moderate rainfall, supports crops like millet, sorghum, maize, and onions, unlike rainforests or Sahel savanna.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

In which of the following biomes is the southwestern part of Nigeria located?

A. Temperate forest
B. Tropical rainforest
C. Tropical woodland
D. Desert
Explanation

Southwestern Nigeria lies in the tropical rainforest biome, characterized by high rainfall, dense vegetation, and biodiversity.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The inheritable characters that are determined by a gene located on the X-chromosome are

A. recessive
B. sex-linked
C. homozygous
D. dominant
Explanation

Genes on the X-chromosome determine sex-linked traits, such as hemophilia, which are inherited differently in males and females.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Lack of space in a population could lead to an increase in

A. water scarcity
B. birth rate
C. disease rate
D. drought
Explanation

Overcrowding due to limited space increases disease transmission through close contact, elevating the disease rate.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

If the cross of a red-flowered plant with a white-flowered plant produces a pink-flowered plant, it is an example of

A. codominance
B. incomplete dominance
C. mutation
D. linkage
Explanation

Incomplete dominance occurs when neither allele is fully dominant, resulting in a blended phenotype, like pink flowers from red and white parents.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following theories was NOT considered by Darwin in his evolutionary theory?

A. Variation
B. Survival of the fittest
C. Use and disuse
D. Competition
Explanation

Use and disuse was part of Lamarck’s theory, not Darwin’s, which focused on variation, competition, and survival of the fittest.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The crossing of individuals of the same species with different genetic characters is

A. cross breeding
B. polygenic inheritance
C. non-disjunction
D. inbreeding
Explanation

Cross breeding involves mating individuals of the same species with different genetic traits to produce offspring with desired characteristics.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The primary source of energy in an ecosystem is

A. organic matter
B. sunlight
C. water
D. carbon dioxide
Explanation

Sunlight is the primary energy source, driving photosynthesis in producers, which supports the entire ecosystem’s energy flow.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following structures is responsible for oxygen transport in humans?

A. Platelets
B. Leucocytes
C. Erythrocytes
D. Plasma
Explanation

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) contain hemoglobin, which binds and transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The process by which organisms maintain a constant internal environment is called

A. excretion
B. homeostasis
C. respiration
D. photosynthesis
Explanation

Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment, such as temperature and pH, despite external changes.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following is a characteristic of wind-pollinated flowers?

A. Brightly colored petals
B. Sweet nectar production
C. Large, feathery stigmas
D. Strong fragrance
Explanation

Wind-pollinated flowers have large, feathery stigmas to capture airborne pollen, lacking bright petals, nectar, or strong scents.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The role of decomposers in an ecosystem is to

A. fix atmospheric nitrogen
B. break down dead organic matter
C. produce oxygen through photosynthesis
D. consume primary producers
Explanation

Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following is a result of deforestation?

A. Increased soil fertility
B. Reduced biodiversity
C. Enhanced water retention
D. Decreased soil erosion
Explanation

Deforestation leads to reduced biodiversity by destroying habitats, causing species loss and ecosystem disruption.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The structure in a plant cell responsible for photosynthesis is the

A. mitochondrion
B. chloroplast
C. nucleus
D. vacuole
Explanation

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for photosynthesis, converting CO2 and water into glucose and oxygen.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer in a food chain?

A. Lion
B. Grasshopper
C. Hawk
D. Fungus
Explanation

Grasshoppers are primary consumers, feeding directly on plants (producers), unlike lions, hawks (carnivores), or fungi (decomposers).

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2011

The genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 is

A. sickle cell anemia
B. Down syndrome
C. hemophilia
D. cystic fibrosis
Explanation

Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21, an extra chromosome 21, leading to developmental and physical abnormalities.

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