WASSCE MAY/JUNE 2019 – BIOLOGY THEORY PAPER 2 SOLUTION

1
a. Vertebrae with corresponding location
Vertebrae Location

Cervical Neck

Thoracic Chest/Thorax

Lumbar Abdomen/Upper abdomen/loin

Sacral Hip/lower abdomen

Caudal Tail/coccyx

b. Function of:
(i) Palisade
- Manufactures food/carries out photosynthesis/site of photosynthesis;
- Contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis;

(ii) Vascular bundle

- Contains xylem for transport of water/mineral salts/phloem for translocation of manufactured organic
substances/hormones;
- Provides mechanical support;

(iii) Epidermis
- It keeps the leaf’s shape;
- Provides mechanical support;

c. Function of
(i) Sieve tube
- Translocates/transports manufactured foods to other parts of the plant

(ii) Cortex
- The cells of cortex store starch;
- Outer cortex cells of green stems contain chloroplasts and make food by photosynthesis/chlorophyllus
cortex cells manufacture food;
 (iii) Epidermis
- Cells of pith act as packing/food storage tissues;
- Supports the stem;

d. Structural differences
(i) External structural differences between stem and root of a maize seedling

Stem of a maize seedling Root of a maize seedling

Fibrous root absent fibrous root present
Chlorophyllus/greenish non chlorophyllus/non-greenish
Leaves are present leaves are absent
Thicker in size thinner in size
Coleoptiles/shoot sheath present coleoptiles/shoot sheath absent
Coleorhizae/radicle sheath absent coleorhizae/radicle sheath present.

(ii) Internal structural differences between stem and root of a maize seedling
Stem of a maize seedling Root of a maize seedling
Vascular bundles are scattered vascular bundles are arranged/in a ring
form
More vascular bundles less vascular bundles
Cortex is narrower cortex is wider
Pith is absent pith is present
Endodermis absent endodermis present
Phloem and xylem do not alternate phloem alternates with xylem
Piliferous layer absent piliferous layer present

2
a. Features of the small intestine that increase the rate of absorption of digested food
- Ridges/furrows on inner linings;
- Small finger-like projections/villi;
- Minute projections/microvilli on the villi;
- Thin epithelial lining of the villi;
- Highly vascularised/well supplied with blood;
- Intestine is long/it has a large surface area.

b. Fate of glucose formed in a plant during photosynthesis

- Glucose combines with Nitrogen/Sulphur/Phosphorus to form proteins for growth;
 - Glucose is stored as starch;
- Glucose is oxidised to form carbon dioxide/water/energy in respiration;
- Glucose is also converted into lipids/cellulose which is stored.

c. Mode of feeding of
(i) Euglena
- Exhibits both autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition;
- In autotrophic mode of feeding, the chlorophyll in its stellate chloroplast absorbs sunlight energy;
- And the dissolved carbon dioxide in the pond water diffuses into the cell of Euglena;
- Inside the chloroplast, the absorbed solar energy/sunlight is used in the synthesis of glucose from water and
carbon dioxide;
- Glucose is converted into starch and stored in the paramylum granules;
- In heterotrophic mode of feeding, it takes in organic matter/diatoms e.t.c.;
- Through the gullet;
- And digests it in the reservoir.

(i)Spirogyra
- Manufactures its own food through photosynthesis;
- Its spiral chloroplast/chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight energy;
- It absorbs carbon dioxide from water/its environment to manufacture food;
- The manufactured food is used;
- while the rest/excess is stored in its pyrenoid in the form of starch;

d. Characteristics of an Estuarine Habitat

- It is shallow;
- It has a high level of nutrients;
- Salinity/pH/O2 level fluctuates;
- Turbidity is high during rainy season;
- It is affected by tides;
- Species diversity is low;
- Muddy/soft soil/substratum
d. Differences between an aquatic and terrestrial habitat

Aquatic habitat Terrestrial habitat

Temperature is lower temperature is higher
Water is the medium for growth/reproduction soil is a medium for growth
Presence of dissolved oxygen presence of atmospheric oxygen
Organisms are not affected by humidity organisms are affected by humidity
Organisms are affected by organisms are not affected by tide/waves/water
tide/waves/water/current current
Organisms are not affected by wind action organisms are affected by wind action
Light affects the distribution of organisms more light affects the distribution of organisms less
Water is abundant water is not abundant

3
a. (i) Challenges that make the conservation of resources difficult:
- Limited land area for development leads to the rapid destruction of the natural forest;
- Over grazing/over fishing;
- Poaching/ killing of endangered species;
- Bush burning/poor farming methods;
- Over cultivation of land;
- High demand for timber that has resulted in the felling of trees/indiscriminate cutting of trees for firewood;
- Damming of rivers for hydro-electricity and irrigation has resulted in the alteration of the ecosystem;
- Lack of awareness of the populace and policy makers of the need for conservation/lack of education;
- Improper enforcement of existing laws/poor leadership;
- Forest fire;
- Inadequate funding in conservation;
- Lack of international/local cooperation on conservation;
- Illegal/unlawful exploitation of minerals.

(ii) Ways by which Government ensures the conservation of resources:

- Creation of parks/gardens/wildlife/zoo/reserves;
- Putting in place a chemical and toxic waste dump programmes to avoid water pollution;
 - Enactment of conservation laws;
- Enforcement of conservation laws;
- Creating awareness/education through the media;
- Establishment of conservation fund;
- Training of conservation personnel/employing experts to manage natural resources;
- Establishing local and international cooperation;
- Aforestation/planting of trees.

b. Endangered species
- Species whose population has become so small; that it can completely be wiped out/become extinct; if not
properly managed.

c. (i) Genotype of child: OO

(ii) Genotype of Father: OO; AO; BO;

d. Importance of genetic variation to plants

- It enables plants to spread to colonies/new areas;
- It may enable plants to survive harsh/adverse conditions/environments;
- It may enable plants to be resistant to diseases;
- It gives rise to varieties of desirable plant species;
- It makes plants produce better fruits/yield;
- It makes plants produce early yield;

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a. (i) Type of genetic cross: Dihybrid
(ii) Reason for answer: Two characters are involved in the cross/involves two characters separable in
inheritance.

b. (i) Phenotype of F1: Tall and Red.

(ii) Genetic Diagram
Let T represent the gene for Tallness;
t represent the gene for Dwarfism;
R represent the gene for Red;
 r represent the gene for White.

OR

Parental genotype TtRr X TtRr

Crosses of parental genotypes

Tall and Red - 9
Tall and White - 3
 Dwarf and Red - 3
Dwarf and White - 1
Parental genotype
Parental gametes (TR, Tr, tR, tr) shown
Correct Crosses of parental gamete
Phenotypic ratio 9:3:3:1

(iii) Calculation of Tall and White flowers in F2

(3/16) x (160/1) = 30

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a. (i) Table

Organism Respiratory
Tadpole (2 days old) Gill (External)
Cockroach Trachea/tracheoles
Domestic fowl Lung/lungs
Talinum Stoma/stomata
Earthworm (moist) Skin surface/body surface
Amoeba Cell membrane/plasmalemma/body
surface

(ii) Characteristic Features of respiratory surfaces

- Large surface area;
- Thin-walled/thin body surface;
- Moist surface;
- Well-ventilated surface;
- Permeable surface;
- Highly vascularised/network of capillaries present.

b. Diagram of respiratory organ/gill of Tilapia

7
a. (i) Meat type that may be recommended for an obese patient
A, D
(ii) Reason for meat types
Meat types A and D have lower fat content compared to the other meat types.

b. (i) Meat type that would provide most energy

B, C
(ii) Reason
They have the highest fat composition/content; when oxidised would release much energy.

c. (i) Meat type that may be recommended for a child suffering from kwashiorkor
A, C, D and E
(ii) Reason
A child suffering from kwashiorkor is deficient in/lacks adequate amount of protein; needs more protein;
and meat types A, C, D and E have high protein contents.

d. (i) Meat type most suitable for an active teenager

A, B, C, D, E, F/all meat types.
(ii) Meat type most suitable for a 70-year old human
A, D

e. Other class of food that provides energy

Carbohydrate
f. Uses of fat in the human body
- provides insulation;
- generates heat;
- provides energy;
- protects vital organs;
- forms part of the cell membrane/formation of phospholipids;
- smoothens the skin;
- forms solvent for some fat soluble vitamins/vitamin A,D,E,K.

g. Procedure of testing for fat in a meat sample using white paper

- The meat sample is rubbed against piece of (white) paper;
- and allowed to dry;
- a translucent spot on the paper;
- confirms the presence of fat in the meat sample

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Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism
Tapeworm in the gut of Lichen
humans
Mistletoe and Cacao plant Cattle and white Egret Remora and shark
Flowers and Honeybees

b. (i) Adaptive features of parasites

- possession of specialised organs/haustoria/suckers/hooks; for attachment to the surface of the body of the
host;
- specialised piercing/sucking mouthparts; for sucking fluids/blood/plant juices;
- hermaphrodite/ability to reproduce rapidly/easily in large numbers/large quantity of eggs are produced;
to propagate their lineage/species;
- large surface area; for absorption of digested food;
- possession of special features/structures/cuticle; to withstand harsh environment/conditions/being
digested.

(ii) Effects of parasites on their host

Absorption of nutrients from the body of the host can:
- lead to stunted growth;
 - lead to low resistance to diseases in the host;
- lead to loss of blood;
- lead to loss of weight;
- lead to septicaemia;
- cause diseases/injuries/harm;
- lead to death;
- de-value the worth of animal skin/hides/ reduce the value of farm animals.

c. (i) Saprophytes
are organisms that feed; on dead/decaying/decomposing organic matter.

(ii) Examples of saprophytes

- Fungi/Bacteria/
- Mushroom
- Azotobacter
- Rhizopus;
- Clostridium
- Mucor
- Streptomycetes
- Toadstool
- Mold/mould
- Penicillium
- Saccharomyces
- Aspergillus
- Yeast.

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(ii) Phenotypic ratio
2:2 or 1:1/Ratio of sickler to non-sicklers.

b. Reasons why a rhesus negative woman married to a rhesus positive man might lose her second pregnancy
- Rhesus negative mother has no antigen on the surface of her Red Blood Cells/RBC;
- the husband has antigen on his RBC;
- during her first pregnancy, the child carries positive Rhesus factor;
- the Rhesus factor enters the mother’s blood stream;
- due to rupture of the placenta, blood seeps into the mother's blood;
- causing it to develop anti-Rhesus antibodies;
- causing agglutination in small proportion of foetal blood cells;
- in the second pregnancy, the child might be Rhesus positive;
- the child carrying Rhesus positive suffers massive destruction of red blood cells/erythroblastosis fetalis;
- which might result into miscarriage of the second child.

c. Examples of features in animals that support the theory of use and disuse of body parts as used by Lamarck
- long neck in Giraffe;
 - smaller wings in Penguins;
- lost legs of snakes;
- long legs of Heron;
- webbed feet of ducks/frogs/geese.

d. Vestigial organs in mammals

- appendix in humans;
- pelvic and leg bones in whale;
- reduced coccyx in man/caudal vertebrae;
- pyramidalis nasi (extrinsic) muscle/muscles of the forehead;
- posterior auricular muscles to move the ear/pinna;
- erector muscle;
- nipples in males;
- sinuses;
- tonsils;
- wisdom teeth;
- hairs on the chest.

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a. Importance of the following in the Nitrogen Cycle
(i) Lightning
- When lightning occurs, nitrogen reacts with oxygen in air to form nitrous oxide/oxides of nitrogen;
- which is further oxidised to form nitrogen (IV) oxide /nitrogen dioxide;
- which dissolves in rain water to form nitric and nitrous acids;
- (that fall to the ground) when it reaches the soil combines with bases/mineral salts to form nitrates;
- which the plants absorbs.

(ii) Nitrosomonas
- Is a nitrifying bacterium in the soil;
- that converts ammonia to nitrites in the soil.

(iii) Azotobacter
 - Is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium in the soil;
- that converts nitrogen in the soil;
- into ammonium compounds/amino compounds and protein in the soil;
- converts nitrites to nitrates in the soil.

b. Excretory organs
Insects – malpighian tubules;
Earthworm – nephridium

c. Explanation of diseases
(i) Hepatitis
- Is the inflammation/destruction of liver cells;
- hepatitis can arise from bacteria/virus/an autoimmune disease;
- or from excess consumption of alcohol.

The symptoms include fatigue;

- loss of appetite/anorexia;
- muscle aches/pains;
- flu;
- fever;
- nausea;
- jaundice;
- and dark coloured urine/stool.

(ii) Kidney stones

- Are small solids/crystals of concentrated minerals/uric acid found in the urine;
- they are formed if there is an excessive loss of water/insufficient water intake;
- so that the solubility of minerals/calcium phosphate/calcium oxalate in the urine is reduced;
- high levels of uric acids/amino acids can lead to kidney stones;
- bacteria may be trapped in the kidney tubules as the kidney stones get bigger;
- symptoms are sharp pain at the flank of back;
- frequent urination;
- nausea;
 - sweating;
- kidney stones can be treated by medications;
- change in diet of food rich in calcium;
- surgery;
- drinking plenty of water.

d. (i) Effects of lack of sense receptors in the skin

- Humans will not be able to sense/feel/perceive external stimuli in the environment;
- pain;
- touch;
- a change in temperature;
- pressure;
- danger which could lead to death.

(ii) Layers of the epidermis

- cornified layer/stratum corneum;
- granular layer/stratum granulosum;
- malpighian layer/stratum Malpighi.

e. (i) Metamorphosis
Is the development of some/certain organisms from the egg; to an adult stage; involving three to four stages.

(ii) Type of metamorphosis of listed insects

Insect Type of metamorphosis

Grasshopper Incomplete
Cockroach Incomplete
Butterfly Complete
Mosquito Complete
Housefly Complete

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b. Parts of alimentary canal of earthworm
- Mouth;
- Pharynx;
- Oesophagus/gullet;
- Crop;
- Gizzard
- Intestine;
- Anus.

c. Ways by which water could be polluted by agricultural practices

- Farmers add excess fertilizers/organic material to soil which may cause water pollution;
- The inorganic/artificial fertilizers that contain high concentrations of nitrates and phosphates, dissolves in
rain water and washed into nearby streams and rivers;
- Nitrates and phosphates accelerate the growth of algae/eutrophication;
- The death/decay of algae in rivers and streams increase the population of bacteria rapidly;
- And cause oxygen level to decrease drastically;
- Killing aquatic organisms;
- Use of chemicals/dynamite for fishing which pollutes water
- Dumping of cleared vegetation on water bodies;
- Slash-burn methods of farming which might wash ash to nearby rivers/water bodies;
- Pesticides/insecticides also sprayed on crops are usually non-biodegradable;
 - They are washed into nearby rivers/streams/water bodies;
- Accumulate in the bodies of aquatic organisms;
- And are passed along the food chain;
- The concentration of pesticides/insecticides can reach toxic level in the bodies of the final consumers in the
higher trophic levels is causing these organisms to die;
d. (i) Life cycle of a Housefly
- The female housefly lays eggs on decomposing matter/rubbish;
- The eggs hatch into larvae/maggot;
- In a few hours;
- They crawl unto food;
- Which if solid will be digested by enzymes to liquid;
- The larvae have twelve segments on the body;
- The body then contracts;
- The skin hardens and turns brown to enclose the pupa;
- After about four days, the pupa changes into the adult/imago;
- Inside the puparium/brown skin cover;
- The adult fly then emerges;
- And flies away.

OR
e. Diagram of a mature maize seedling