JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Biology 2022
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2022 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which structure helps a lizard survive in a dry environment?

A. Scales
B. Gills
C. Feathers
D. Hair
Explanation

Scales reduce water loss and protect lizards in dry environments.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

What is the primary sense organ in insects for detecting chemical signals?

A. Eye
B. Antenna
C. Leg
D. Wing
Explanation

Antennae detect chemical signals like pheromones in insects.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

A cross between a homozygous dominant tall plant (TT) and a homozygous recessive short plant (tt) produces offspring that are

A. All tall
B. All short
C. Half tall, half short
D. Three tall, one short
Explanation

All offspring are heterozygous (Tt), phenotypically tall due to dominance.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which process does NOT contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

A. Nitrogen fixation
B. Denitrification
C. Photosynthesis
D. Nitrification
Explanation

Photosynthesis is part of the carbon cycle, not the nitrogen cycle.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The energy produced during cellular respiration is stored in

A. Glucose
B. ATP
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Water
Explanation

ATP stores energy from cellular respiration for cellular activities.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The part of a plant cell where photosynthesis occurs is the

A. Mitochondrion
B. Nucleus
C. Chloroplast
D. Ribosome
Explanation

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures light for photosynthesis.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

A deficiency of iron in the human body can lead to

A. Scurvy
B. Anemia
C. Goitre
D. Rickets
Explanation

Iron deficiency causes anemia, reducing oxygen transport in blood.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The mechanism by which species evolve through survival of the fittest is

A. Artificial selection
B. Natural selection
C. Genetic drift
D. Mutation
Explanation

Natural selection involves survival and reproduction of the best-adapted organisms.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Daily fluctuations in ocean water levels are primarily caused by

A. Wind
B. Tides
C. Currents
D. Waves
Explanation

Tides, driven by gravitational forces, cause daily ocean level changes.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which organism is a primary producer in a freshwater ecosystem?

A. Fish
B. Frog
C. Algae
D. Snail
Explanation

Algae produce energy via photosynthesis in freshwater ecosystems.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The relationship between a clownfish and a sea anemone, where the clownfish benefits and the anemone is unaffected, is

A. Mutualism
B. Commensalism
C. Parasitism
D. Predation
Explanation

Commensalism benefits one organism (clownfish) without affecting the other (anemone).

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which condition is caused by a viral infection?

A. Tuberculosis
B. Cholera
C. Measles
D. Tetanus
Explanation

Measles is caused by a virus, unlike the bacterial diseases listed.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The most common fingerprint pattern in humans is

A. Arch
B. Loop
C. Whorl
D. Double-loop
Explanation

Loop fingerprints are the most common, comprising 60–70% of patterns.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

A deficiency of vitamin B1 can cause

A. Scurvy
B. Rickets
C. Beriberi
D. Pellagra
Explanation

Beriberi results from vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, affecting the nervous system.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The process by which bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates is

A. Nitrogen fixation
B. Denitrification
C. Nitrification
D. Decomposition
Explanation

Nitrification converts ammonia to nitrates, making nitrogen available to plants.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The spines on a cactus are primarily an adaptation for

A. Water storage
B. Protection
C. Photosynthesis
D. Reproduction
Explanation

Spines protect cacti from herbivores and reduce water loss.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which factor most affects the distribution of aquatic organisms?

A. Temperature and salinity
B. Wind and pressure
C. Competition and predation
D. Light and humidity
Explanation

Temperature and salinity are key abiotic factors for aquatic organism distribution.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

In small organisms like Paramecium, gas exchange occurs mainly through

A. Active transport
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Facilitated diffusion
Explanation

Diffusion enables gas exchange in small organisms due to high surface area.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The brain and spinal cord together form the

A. Peripheral nervous system
B. Autonomic nervous system
C. Central nervous system
D. Somatic nervous system
Explanation

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which group of animals first developed amniotic eggs for land reproduction?

A. Amphibians
B. Reptiles
C. Fish
D. Birds
Explanation

Reptiles developed amniotic eggs, enabling land reproduction.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The human dental formula is

A. I 2/2, C 1/1, PM 2/2, M 3/3
B. I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 4/4, M 2/2
C. I 0/3, C 0/1, PM 3/3, M 3/3
D. I 2/2, C 1/1, PM 3/3, M 2/2
Explanation

The human dental formula is I 2/2, C 1/1, PM 2/2, M 3/3.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Excessive thirst and frequent urination may indicate

A. Diabetes
B. Hypertension
C. Anemia
D. Tuberculosis
Explanation

These symptoms suggest diabetes due to high blood sugar affecting kidneys.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The theory of inherited acquired traits was proposed by

A. Charles Darwin
B. Gregor Mendel
C. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D. Alfred Wallace
Explanation

Lamarck suggested acquired traits could be passed to offspring.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Roughage in the diet of herbivores primarily aids

A. Energy provision
B. Digestion
C. Nutrient storage
D. Temperature regulation
Explanation

Roughage aids digestion by providing bulk and facilitating gut movement.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Variation among offspring is increased by

A. Asexual reproduction
B. Self-pollination
C. Cross-pollination
D. Binary fission
Explanation

Cross-pollination combines genetic material, increasing variation.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The largest taxonomic group in biological classification is

A. Species
B. Genus
C. Kingdom
D. Phylum
Explanation

Kingdom is the broadest taxonomic group in classification.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Water movement into plant cells is primarily due to

A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Capillarity
Explanation

Osmosis drives water movement into plant cells across membranes.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The sequence of energy transfer in an ecosystem is shown by a

A. Food web
B. Food chain
C. Energy pyramid
D. Trophic level
Explanation

A food chain illustrates the linear energy transfer between organisms.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The organelle responsible for protein synthesis is

A. Mitochondrion
B. Ribosome
C. Nucleus
D. Golgi apparatus
Explanation

Ribosomes translate mRNA into proteins during synthesis.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The biome with long, cold winters and short summers is

A. Tundra
B. Desert
C. Savanna
D. Tropical rainforest
Explanation

The tundra has long winters and short summers with sparse vegetation.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Nigeria’s coastal regions are known for which vegetation?

A. Savanna
B. Mangrove
C. Desert
D. Montane forest
Explanation

Mangroves thrive in Nigeria’s coastal brackish waters.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Mating unrelated individuals to increase genetic diversity is called

A. Inbreeding
B. Outbreeding
C. Self-breeding
D. Cross-breeding
Explanation

Outbreeding enhances genetic diversity by mating unrelated individuals.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The smallest unit of life capable of independent existence is

A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
Explanation

The cell is the smallest unit performing all life functions.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

A rich source of vitamin C is

A. Orange
B. Rice
C. Yam
D. Beans
Explanation

Oranges are high in vitamin C, supporting immunity and skin health.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which disease is caused by a protozoan parasite?

A. Typhoid
B. Malaria
C. Tetanus
D. Cholera
Explanation

Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium, spread by mosquitoes.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The body of a crustacean is typically divided into

A. Head and thorax
B. Cephalothorax and abdomen
C. Head, thorax, and abdomen
D. Cephalon and trunk
Explanation

Crustaceans have a cephalothorax and abdomen.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which organism is a decomposer in an ecosystem?

A. Mushroom
B. Grass
C. Pea plant
D. Fern
Explanation

Mushrooms decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The upward movement of water in tall trees is mainly due to

A. Capillary action
B. Root pressure
C. Transpiration pull
D. Osmosis
Explanation

Transpiration pull drives water upward through evaporation from leaves.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

Which biome has high rainfall and dense vegetation?

A. Desert
B. Tundra
C. Tropical rainforest
D. Grassland
Explanation

Tropical rainforests have high rainfall and dense, biodiverse vegetation.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Biology · 2022

The process by which plants lose water through their leaves is called

A. Transpiration
B. Respiration
C. Photosynthesis
D. Absorption
Explanation

Transpiration is the loss of water vapor through leaf stomata.

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