PAPER 1
Objective Test (Questions 1–60)
Follow the Instructions: Answer all questions. Choose the option that best answers each question.
1.
The basic unit of life is the
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Cell
D. System
Answer: C
2.
Which of the following is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?
A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Chloroplast
D. Cell membrane
Answer: C
3.
The movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane is called
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Translocation
Answer: B
4.
The powerhouse of the cell is the
A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Vacuole
Answer: C
5.
The control center of the cell is the
A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Cell wall
D. Lysosome
Answer: A
6.
Amoeba reproduces asexually by
A. Budding
B. Fragmentation
C. Binary fission
D. Pollination
Answer: C
7.
Which process requires energy?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Filtration
Answer: C
8.
The outermost covering of a plant cell is
A. Membrane
B. Cell wall
C. Cytoplasm
D. Vacuole
Answer: B
9.
The fluid component of the cell is
A. Cytoplasm
B. Cell wall
C. Nucleus
D. Chromosome
Answer: A
10.
The green pigment used in photosynthesis is
A. Xanthophyll
B. Chlorophyll
C. Carotene
D. Haemoglobin
Answer: B
2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
11.
Photosynthesis occurs mainly in the
A. Root
B. Stem
C. Leaf
D. Flower
Answer: C
12.
The gas released during photosynthesis is
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Hydrogen
Answer: B
13.
Protein digestion begins in the
A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Ileum
D. Colon
Answer: B
14.
The enzyme that converts starch to maltose is
A. Pepsin
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Trypsin
Answer: C
15.
A balanced diet must contain
A. Carbohydrates only
B. Proteins only
C. All food nutrients in correct proportions
D. Vitamins only
Answer: C
16.
Kwashiorkor is caused by deficiency of
A. Vitamins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Proteins
D. Minerals
Answer: C
17.
Rickets results from deficiency of
A. Vitamin D
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin B
Answer: A
18.
The end product of protein digestion is
A. Fatty acids
B. Glucose
C. Amino acids
D. Maltose
Answer: C
19.
The main product of photosynthesis is
A. Protein
B. Glucose
C. Water
D. Oxygen
Answer: B
20.
The process by which green plants manufacture food is
A. Respiration
B. Excretion
C. Photosynthesis
D. Transpiration
Answer: C
21.
The liquid part of blood is
A. Platelets
B. Plasma
C. Red blood cells
D. White blood cells
Answer: B
22.
Blood group AB is called
A. Universal donor
B. Universal recipient
C. Rare blood group
D. O group
Answer: B
23.
The blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart is
A. Vein
B. Artery
C. Capillary
D. Venule
Answer: B
24.
Transpiration takes place mainly through
A. Lenticels
B. Stomata
C. Roots
D. Flowers
Answer: B
25.
The pigment responsible for oxygen transport in blood is
A. Melanin
B. Chlorophyll
C. Haemoglobin
D. Carotene
Answer: C
26.
The largest chamber of the human heart is the
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Left ventricle
D. Right ventricle
Answer: C
27.
The tissue responsible for food transport in plants is
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Cortex
D. Epidermis
Answer: B
2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
28.
The tissue responsible for water transport is
A. Phloem
B. Cortex
C. Xylem
D. Cambium
Answer: C
29.
Blood clotting is aided by
A. Plasma
B. Platelets
C. Lymphocytes
D. Haemoglobin
Answer: B
30.
The process of loss of water vapour from leaves is
A. Diffusion
B. Translocation
C. Transpiration
D. Osmosis
Answer: C
31.
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Diaphragm
Answer: C
32.
The waste product removed by the kidney is
A. Glucose
B. Urea
C. Glycogen
D. Oxygen
Answer: B
33.
Aerobic respiration requires
A. Water
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Nitrogen
Answer: B
34.
The functional unit of the kidney is
A. Nephron
B. Ureter
C. Bladder
D. Cortex
Answer: A
35.
The organ responsible for gaseous exchange in fish is
A. Skin
B. Gills
C. Lungs
D. Trachea
Answer: B
36.
Fertilization is the fusion of
A. Chromosomes
B. Cells
C. Gametes
D. Tissues
Answer: C
37.
The male reproductive cell is
A. Ovum
B. Zygote
C. Sperm cell
D. Embryo
Answer: C
38.
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from
A. Ovary to stigma
B. Anther to stigma
C. Ovule to stigma
D. Anther to ovary
Answer: B
39.
The fusion of male and female gametes produces
A. Embryo
B. Zygote
C. Foetus
D. Seed
Answer: B
40.
The organ that produces sperm cells is
A. Penis
B. Testis
C. Prostate gland
D. Epididymis
Answer: B
41.
Green plants in a food chain are
A. Consumers
B. Producers
C. Decomposers
D. Scavengers
Answer: B
42.
The relationship between algae and fungi in lichen is
A. Parasitism
B. Mutualism
C. Predation
D. Competition
Answer: B
43.
Organisms that break down dead organic matter are
A. Consumers
B. Producers
C. Decomposers
D. Parasites
Answer: C
44.
The place where an organism lives is called
A. Niche
B. Habitat
C. Community
D. Ecosystem
Answer: B
45.
A group of organisms of the same species living together forms a
A. Habitat
B. Population
C. Ecosystem
D. Community
Answer: B
46.
The ultimate source of energy in an ecosystem is
A. Water
B. Wind
C. Sun
D. Soil
Answer: C
47.
The first trophic level consists of
A. Consumers
B. Carnivores
C. Producers
D. Decomposers
Answer: C
48.
Nitrogen fixation is mainly carried out by
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Algae
D. Protozoa
Answer: B
49.
The feeding relationship among organisms is represented by a
A. Habitat
B. Food chain
C. Succession
D. Ecosystem
Answer: B
50.
An organism that feeds on both plants and animals is
A. Herbivore
B. Carnivore
C. Omnivore
D. Parasite
Answer: C
51.
The unit of heredity is
A. Gene
B. Chromosome
C. Cell
D. Nucleus
Answer: A
52.
Gregor Mendel is known as the father of
A. Ecology
B. Evolution
C. Genetics
D. Cytology
Answer: C
2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
53.
A cross involving one pair of contrasting characters is
A. Dihybrid cross
B. Monohybrid cross
C. Test cross
D. Back cross
Answer: B
54.
The sex chromosomes in a human male are
A. XX
B. YY
C. XY
D. XO
Answer: C
55.
Variation among organisms is important because it
A. Causes extinction only
B. Increases competition only
C. Enhances survival and adaptation
D. Prevents reproduction
Answer: C
56.
Evolution is best described as
A. Sudden creation
B. Gradual change in organisms over time
C. Reproduction only
D. Growth only
Answer: B
57.
The blood group known as universal donor is
A. A
B. B
C. AB
D. O
Answer: D
58.
Colour blindness is an example of
A. Sex-linked inheritance
B. Mutation only
C. Dominance only
D. Evolution
Answer: A
59.
The process by which advantageous traits are preserved is
A. Mutation
B. Natural selection
C. Fertilization
D. Variation
Answer: B
60.
The thread-like structures that carry genes are
A. Nuclei
B. Chromosomes
C. Ribosomes
D. Vacuoles
Answer: B
PAPER 2
ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
Explain the structure and functions of the cell and distinguish between plant and animal cells.
Answer
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are made up of cells. Cells perform essential activities such as nutrition, respiration, excretion, growth and reproduction.
Structure and Functions
Cell Membrane
- Controls movement of substances into and out of the cell.
- Maintains cell integrity.
Cytoplasm
- Contains organelles.
- Site of metabolic activities.
Nucleus
- Controls all cell activities.
- Contains hereditary materials (DNA).
Mitochondria
- Site of aerobic respiration.
- Produces energy (ATP).
Ribosomes
- Site of protein synthesis.
Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
| Plant Cell | Animal Cell |
|---|---|
| Has cell wall | No cell wall |
| Has chloroplast | No chloroplast |
| Large vacuole | Small vacuole |
| Fixed shape | Irregular shape |
Cell biology, diffusion, osmosis and active transport remain major areas in the WAEC Biology syllabus.
Question 2
Describe the process of photosynthesis and explain factors affecting it.
Answer
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants manufacture food using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.
6CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2+6H_2O\rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_26CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O2
Importance
- Produces food for plants.
- Releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
- Forms the basis of food chains.
- Maintains atmospheric balance.
Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
Light Intensity
Low light reduces photosynthetic rate.
Carbon Dioxide Concentration
Increased CO₂ increases photosynthesis up to a limit.
Temperature
Enzymes function best within optimum temperatures.
Chlorophyll Content
Plants lacking chlorophyll cannot photosynthesize effectively.
Photosynthesis is one of the core nutrition topics emphasized in the WAEC Biology syllabus.
2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
Question 3
Explain the human circulatory system and state its importance.
Answer
The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood and blood vessels.
Components
Heart
A muscular organ responsible for pumping blood.
Blood
Red Blood Cells
- Transport oxygen.
White Blood Cells
- Fight infections.
Platelets
- Aid blood clotting.
Plasma
- Transports nutrients and hormones.
Blood Vessels
Arteries
- Carry blood away from the heart.
Veins
- Return blood to the heart.
Capillaries
- Allow exchange of materials.
Importance
- Transportation of nutrients.
- Distribution of oxygen.
- Removal of waste products.
- Temperature regulation.
- Immunity and defense.
Transport systems in animals are consistently listed among key WAEC Biology focus areas.
Question 4
Discuss ecological relationships and explain energy flow in an ecosystem.
Answer
Ecology deals with interactions between organisms and their environment.
Ecological Relationships
Mutualism
Both organisms benefit.
Example: Lichen.
Parasitism
One organism benefits while the other is harmed.
Example: Tapeworm in humans.
Commensalism
One benefits while the other is unaffected.
Predation
One organism feeds on another.
Energy Flow
Energy originates from the sun.
Sun → Producers → Primary Consumers → Secondary Consumers → Tertiary Consumers
Energy decreases at each trophic level because some is lost as heat.
Importance
- Maintains ecological balance.
- Supports food chains and food webs.
- Ensures survival of species.
Ecology, food chains, food webs and energy flow are major WAEC Biology topics.
Question 5
Explain Mendel’s laws of inheritance and illustrate a monohybrid cross.
Answer
Genetics is the study of heredity and variation.
Mendel’s First Law (Segregation)
Genes occur in pairs and separate during gamete formation.
Mendel’s Second Law (Independent Assortment)
Different pairs of genes assort independently.
Monohybrid Cross
Tall plant (TT) × Dwarf plant (tt)
| Parent | TT × tt |
|---|---|
| Gametes | T, T and t, t |
F₁ Generation:
All offspring = Tt (Tall)
Importance
- Explains inheritance patterns.
- Predicts offspring characteristics.
- Forms the basis of modern genetics.
Genetics, variation and Mendelian inheritance are among the most examined WAEC Biology topics.
Question 6
Describe the human reproductive system and explain fertilization.
Answer
Male Reproductive System
- Testes
- Epididymis
- Sperm duct
- Penis
Female Reproductive System
- Ovary
- Fallopian tube
- Uterus
- Vagina
Fertilization
Fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes.
Process
- Ovulation occurs.
- Sperm travels through the female reproductive tract.
- Fusion of sperm and ovum forms a zygote.
- The zygote undergoes mitotic division.
- Implantation occurs in the uterus.
Importance
- Ensures continuation of species.
- Produces genetic variation.
Reproduction and development remain important areas in the WAEC Biology syllabus.
2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers
Question 7
Explain adaptation and evolution with suitable examples.
Answer
Adaptation
Adaptation refers to structural, physiological or behavioural features that enable organisms to survive in their environments.
Examples
Camel
- Hump stores fat.
- Long eyelashes protect against sand.
Fish
- Streamlined body reduces resistance.
Cactus
- Thick stem stores water.
- Spines reduce water loss.
Evolution
Evolution is the gradual change in organisms over generations.
Evidence of Evolution
- Fossils.
- Comparative anatomy.
- Embryology.
- Vestigial organs.
Natural Selection
Organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.
Adaptation and evolution are specifically highlighted in the WAEC Biology syllabus.
Question 8
Discuss microorganisms and their importance to man.
Answer
Microorganisms are tiny living organisms that can only be seen with a microscope.
Types
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Some algae
Beneficial Effects
Agriculture
- Nitrogen fixation.
- Decomposition.
Industry
- Bread production.
- Brewing.
- Yogurt manufacture.
Medicine
- Production of antibiotics and vaccines.
Harmful Effects
- Cause diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.
- Spoil food.
- Damage crops.
Control Measures
- Sterilization.
- Vaccination.
- Good sanitation.
- Proper food preservation.
Microorganisms, public health and disease control are important WAEC Biology syllabus areas.
