Biology JAMB Past Questions And Answers (Objectives and Theory)
Biology questions:
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
Question: Which organelle is responsible for cellular respiration?
A) Chloroplast
B) Nucleus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Question: What is the primary function of red blood cells?
A) Carrying oxygen
B) Fighting infections
C) Producing hormones
D) Regulating body temperature
Answer: A) Carrying oxygen
Question: What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?
A) Store energy
B) Control cell activities
C) Synthesize proteins
D) Break down waste products
Answer: B) Control cell activities
Question: Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?
A) Coal
B) Natural gas
C) Solar energy
D) Petroleum
Answer: C) Solar energy
Question: Which of the following is a characteristic of living organisms?
A) Growth
B) Growth and reproduction
C) Growth, reproduction, and movement
D) Growth, reproduction, movement, and consciousness
Answer: D) Growth, reproduction, movement, and consciousness
Section B: Theory Questions
Question: Define photosynthesis and explain its importance in the biosphere.
Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. It is important in the biosphere because it is the primary source of energy for most living organisms. Through photosynthesis, plants produce oxygen and carbohydrates, which are essential for the survival of other organisms.
Question: Describe the process of cell division and its significance in growth and development.
Answer: Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. It consists of two main stages: mitosis, where the nucleus of the cell divides, and cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides. Cell division is significant in growth and development as it allows for the repair of damaged tissues, the growth of new tissues, and the development of multicellular organisms from a single fertilized egg.
Question: Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
Answer: Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. It is involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a type of cell division that produces four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It is involved in the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells) for sexual reproduction and results in genetic variation.
Question: Discuss the role of enzymes in biological processes.
Answer: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, thereby increasing the rate of the reaction. Enzymes are essential for various biological processes such as digestion, metabolism, and cellular respiration. They are highly specific in their action, with each enzyme catalyzing a specific reaction.
Question: Define ecological succession and describe the two main types.
Answer: Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes over time following a disturbance or the colonization of new habitat. The two main types of ecological succession are primary succession, which occurs in an area that has been newly formed or devoid of life, and secondary succession, which occurs in an area where the existing community has been partially or completely destroyed but the soil remains intact.