WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Biology 2022
Questions & Answers

39 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 39 with explanations

39 Total Questions
2022 Exam Year
39 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following statements about the living things is correct?

A. animals require using carbon(IV) oxide as a raw material
B. growth in plants is limited after some time
C. most plants respond to stimulus slowly
D. higher animals can reproduce asexually
Explanation

Plants generally respond to stimuli more slowly than animals due to their sessile nature and reliance on chemical signaling, which takes time to propagate through tissues, unlike the rapid nerve impulses in animals.

2
Question 2 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Organ levels of organization in living things is found in

A. waterleaf plant
B. virus particle
C. kidney
D. spermatozoon
Explanation

The kidney is an organ, representing the organ level of organization where specialized tissues work together to perform a specific function, such as filtration in the urinary system; viruses are acellular, and spermatozoa are cells.

3
Question 3 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following is a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?

A. Presence of nucleus
B. Membrane-bound organelles
C. Cell wall made of peptidoglycan
D. Multicellular organization
Explanation

Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, have cell walls composed primarily of peptidoglycan, providing rigidity; they lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and are typically unicellular.

4
Question 4 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The part responsible for conducting water and dissolved mineral salts from the soil to the leaves is the

A. phloem
B. xylem
C. cambium
D. endodermis
Explanation

Xylem tissue consists of vessels and tracheids that transport water and minerals unidirectionally from roots to leaves via transpiration pull and root pressure; phloem transports organic solutes.

5
Question 5 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The tissue that transports organic nutrients in plants is the

A. pith
B. xylem
C. phloem
D. cortex
Explanation

Phloem, composed of sieve tubes and companion cells, transports synthesized organic nutrients like sucrose from leaves (source) to other parts (sink) via mass flow.

6
Question 6 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The organelles in cells which are also referred to as suicidal bags are the

A. mitochondria
B. lysosomes
C. ribosomes
D. nuclei
Explanation

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that can digest cellular components; if ruptured, they digest the cell itself, hence 'suicidal bags,' aiding in autophagy or apoptosis.

7
Question 7 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The process that brings about the shrinking of a Spirogyra cell when placed in a strong solution is

A. osmosis
B. autolysis
C. plasmolysis
D. diffusion
Explanation

Plasmolysis occurs when water leaves the cell via osmosis in a hypertonic solution, causing the cytoplasm to shrink away from the cell wall in plant cells like Spirogyra.

8
Question 8 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The region of a plant stem in which cells divide to increase its diameter is the

A. cambium
B. phloem
C. xylem
D. collenchyma
Explanation

The vascular cambium is a layer of meristematic tissue that divides to produce secondary xylem inward and secondary phloem outward, increasing stem girth in dicots.

9
Question 9 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following blood components has the greatest affinity for oxygen and carbon(IV) oxide?

A. lymphocyte
B. erythrocyte
C. blood plasma
D. thrombocyte
Explanation

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) contain hemoglobin, which has high affinity for O₂ (forming oxyhemoglobin) and aids CO₂ transport (as carbaminohemoglobin), essential for gas exchange.

10
Question 10 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The process by which the amount of water and solutes in the blood are controlled is known as

A. haemolysis
B. diffusion
C. turgidity
D. osmoregulation
Explanation

Osmoregulation maintains osmotic balance in body fluids by kidneys adjusting water and solute reabsorption/excretion, preventing dehydration or overhydration.

11
Question 11 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The structure responsible for balance in the human ear is the

A. cochlea
B. eardrum
C. semicircular canals
D. Eustachian tube
Explanation

Semicircular canals in the inner ear detect rotational movements via fluid displacement and hair cell stimulation, sending signals to the brain for balance maintenance.

12
Question 12 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following correctly groups the parts of the human ear? Inner ear | Middle ear | Outer ear

A. Semicircular canals, cochlea | Ossicles | Pinna, auditory canal
B. Ossicles | Semicircular canals | Cochlea
C. Pinna | Cochlea | Ossicles
D. Auditory canal | Eustachian tube | Semicircular canals
Explanation

Inner ear (cochlea for hearing, semicircular canals for balance); middle ear (ossicles amplify sound); outer ear (pinna collects sound, auditory canal directs it).

13
Question 13 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The middle ear is connected to the pharynx by the

A. cochlea
B. semicircular canals
C. Eustachian tube
D. ossicles
Explanation

The Eustachian tube equalizes air pressure between middle ear and pharynx, preventing damage during altitude changes and aiding mucus drainage.

14
Question 14 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

In sexual reproduction, which gametes fuse to form a zygote?

A. Two sperm cells
B. Two egg cells
C. Sperm and egg
D. Pollen and ovule
Explanation

Fertilization involves fusion of male (sperm) and female (egg) gametes, forming a diploid zygote that develops into an embryo, restoring chromosome number.

15
Question 15 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following statements about gametes is correct?

A. Both are produced by asexual reproduction
B. Both normally belong to the same individual
C. Both are found only in plants
D. Their union forms a zygote
Explanation

Gametes (haploid sex cells) from different individuals fuse in sexual reproduction to form a zygote, introducing genetic variation; they are produced by meiosis, not asexual.

16
Question 16 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

If the number of chromosomes in the skin cells of mammals is 46, how many chromosomes would be found in gametes respectively

A. 23 and 23
B. 23 and 46
C. 46 and 23
D. 46 and 46
Explanation

Somatic cells are diploid (2n=46); gametes are haploid (n=23) produced by meiosis, halving chromosomes to ensure zygote restoration to 2n upon fertilization.

17
Question 17 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

In which of the following structures is simplest sugar produced?

A. vacuole
B. cytoplasm
C. chloroplast
D. cell wall
Explanation

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and enzymes for photosynthesis, converting CO₂ and H₂O into glucose (simplest sugar) using light energy.

18
Question 18 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

An evidence of the occurrence of photosynthesis in an experiment is the

A. release of carbon(IV) oxide
B. release of oxygen
C. formation of water molecules
D. formation and release of fructose
Explanation

Photosynthesis releases O₂ as a by-product from water photolysis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂; O₂ bubbles or gas tests (e.g., glowing splint) confirm it.

19
Question 19 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The major sources of vitamin A are

A. egg yolk, carrot and palm oil
B. mango, pawpaw and eggs
C. sorghum, soya bean and liver
D. rice bran, green vegetables and milk
Explanation

Vitamin A (retinol) is in animal sources like egg yolk; precursors (beta-carotene) in carrots and palm oil, essential for vision and immunity.

20
Question 20 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following food substances would react with protease enzyme?

A. Carbohydrates
B. Lipids
C. Proteins
D. Starch
Explanation

Proteases hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins, breaking them into peptides or amino acids; other enzymes handle carbs (amylase), lipids (lipase).

21
Question 21 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Protease would react with proteins because enzymes

A. are denatured at high frequency
B. are specific in their action
C. remain unchanged after a reaction
D. speed up the rate of chemical reaction
Explanation

Enzyme specificity (lock-and-key model) ensures protease only acts on proteins, binding to active site complementary to substrate shape.

22
Question 22 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

After a reaction between protease and protein, the end product would be

A. fatty acids
B. glucose
C. amino acids
D. water
Explanation

Protease digestion yields amino acids (building blocks of proteins) via hydrolysis of peptide bonds in the stomach (pepsin) and small intestine (trypsin).

23
Question 23 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The property of clayey soil that prevents it from supporting thick vegetation is its

A. composition of chemically weathered granite rocks
B. inability to retain much water
C. tendency of becoming waterlogged
D. porosity and low water-retention ability
Explanation

Clayey soil's fine particles cause poor drainage, leading to waterlogging that deprives roots of oxygen, inhibiting aerobic respiration and growth.

24
Question 24 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular place known as

A. colony
B. community
C. ecosystem
D. population
Explanation

A population is conspecific individuals in a defined area interacting and sharing resources; community includes multiple species.

25
Question 25 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The organic component of soil is primarily

A. minerals
B. humus
C. sand
D. clay
Explanation

Humus is decomposed organic matter from plants/animals, improving soil fertility, structure, and water retention; minerals are inorganic.

26
Question 26 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The finest particle in soil is

A. silt
B. sand
C. humus
D. clay
Explanation

Clay particles (<0.002 mm) are smallest, giving high plasticity and nutrient retention but poor aeration; sand is coarsest (>0.05 mm).

27
Question 27 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following pyramids is not used in ecology? Pyramid of

A. energy
B. numbers
C. biomass
D. organisms
Explanation

Ecological pyramids include energy (always upright, 10% rule), numbers (may invert), biomass (may invert); 'organisms' is not standard.

28
Question 28 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

A primary consumer is normally sustained by energy from

A. green plants
B. carbohydrates
C. herbivores
D. sunlight
Explanation

Primary consumers (herbivores) derive energy by consuming producers (green plants) that capture solar energy via photosynthesis.

29
Question 29 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following statements about a herbivore in a food chain is correct? It

A. feeds on carnivores
B. is a primary consumer
C. is the producer
D. is a secondary consumer
Explanation

Herbivores occupy the first consumer trophic level, feeding directly on producers, converting plant biomass into animal tissue.

30
Question 30 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The position occupied by each organism in a food chain is known as the

A. energy level
B. trophic level
C. food web
D. pyramid of numbers
Explanation

Trophic levels classify organisms by energy source: producers (1st), primary consumers (2nd), etc., determining energy flow and interactions.

31
Question 31 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which of the following features is not an adaptation of plants to aquatic habitats?

A. breathing roots for entry of air
B. flowers are raised above water to attract pollinators
C. spongy tissues containing gases for buoyancy
D. hairy structures on the leaves to reduce water loss
Explanation

Hairy leaves reduce transpiration in terrestrial plants; aquatic plants lack this as water is abundant, instead having aerenchyma for buoyancy (C).

32
Question 32 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The biological association that contributes directly to succession in a community is

A. competition
B. predation
C. parasitism
D. commensalism
Explanation

Competition drives succession by excluding less adapted species, allowing better-suited ones to dominate and alter habitat for next stages.

33
Question 33 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The conservation of natural resources is enhanced by the following practices except

A. conforming to logging regulations
B. protecting endangered species
C. poaching in game reserves
D. establishing parks and gardens
Explanation

Poaching depletes wildlife populations, threatening biodiversity; other practices regulate exploitation and protect habitats.

34
Question 34 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The burning of farmlands should be discouraged because it

A. destroys the organic components of the soil
B. increases the population of wild animals on the farm
C. increases the dormancy period of some seeds
D. destroys some plant pests
Explanation

Bush burning oxidizes humus and nutrients, reducing soil fertility and structure; it kills beneficial microbes and increases erosion risk.

35
Question 35 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

What is the function of the large intestine in human digestion?

A. Absorption of water
B. Protein breakdown
C. Starch digestion
D. Fat emulsification
Explanation

The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food, forming feces; bacteria ferment residues, producing vitamins K and B.

36
Question 36 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

Which structure in the leaf is primarily responsible for gas exchange?

A. Epidermis
B. Stomata
C. Veins
D. Mesophyll
Explanation

Stomata are pores flanked by guard cells regulating CO₂ intake for photosynthesis and O₂/ H₂O vapor exit, balancing gas exchange and transpiration.

37
Question 37 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The process of nitrogen fixation in the soil is primarily carried out by

A. Fungi
B. Bacteria
C. Algae
D. Protozoa
Explanation

Symbiotic (Rhizobium in legumes) or free-living (Azotobacter) bacteria convert atmospheric N₂ to ammonia, making it available for plant uptake in the nitrogen cycle.

38
Question 38 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

In humans, the pacemaker of the heart is the

A. Aorta
B. Sinoatrial node
C. Ventricle
D. Atrium
Explanation

The sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrium generates electrical impulses, initiating heartbeat and coordinating atrial-ventricular contraction via conduction system.

39
Question 39 of 39
WAEC · Biology · 2022

The term used for the variety of living organisms in an ecosystem is

A. Population
B. Community
C. Biodiversity
D. Habitat
Explanation

Biodiversity encompasses species richness, evenness, and genetic variation within an ecosystem, crucial for resilience and ecosystem services.

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