Original WAEC Biology Past Questions and Answers (Updated to 2024)

Scoring high in WAEC Biology requires more than just understanding theories; it calls for effective exam preparation. One of the most reliable ways to prepare is by practicing original WAEC Biology past questions and answers, particularly those updated to 2024. These materials offer an accurate reflection of what to expect in the exam and are crucial for mastering the syllabus.

Why Use Original WAEC Biology Past Questions?

  • Exam Format Familiarity: Knowing the structure of questions—multiple choice, theory, and practical—reduces anxiety.

  • Focus on High-Yield Topics: Past questions consistently highlight important topics like Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Anatomy, Ecology, and Plant Physiology.

  • Improved Time Management: Timed practice with authentic questions helps you pace yourself effectively during the exam.

  • Error Analysis: Reviewing answers sharpens your understanding and prevents repeated mistakes.


Structure of the WAEC Biology Exam

The WAEC Biology exam is typically divided into:

  • Paper 1: Objective questions testing broad knowledge across the syllabus.

  • Paper 2: Theory questions requiring detailed understanding, explanations, and application.

  • Paper 3: Practical or alternative to practical paper focusing on experimental skills, data interpretation, and observation.

Preparing for all three papers is essential for comprehensive success.


Core Topics in 2024 WAEC Biology Past Questions

The 2024 updated past questions emphasize key areas such as:

  • Cell structure and function

  • Photosynthesis and respiration

  • Genetics and evolution

  • Human anatomy and physiology

  • Microorganisms and immunity

  • Ecology and environment

  • Reproduction in plants and animals

  • Biotechnology and genetic engineering


Benefits of Using 2024 Updated Biology Past Questions and Answers

  • Up-to-Date Syllabus Coverage: Reflects the newest curriculum and exam patterns.

  • Detailed Answer Explanations: Helps clarify complex concepts and question-solving techniques.

  • Confidence Building: Regular practice fosters exam confidence.

Biology Past Questions and Answers:

  1. The basic unit of life is the:
    (a) Atom
    (b) Molecule
    (c) Cell
    (d) Tissue
    Answer: (c) Cell

  2. Photosynthesis occurs mainly in the:
    (a) Root
    (b) Stem
    (c) Leaf
    (d) Flower
    Answer: (c) Leaf

  3. The process by which green plants manufacture their food is called:
    (a) Respiration
    (b) Photosynthesis
    (c) Transpiration
    (d) Fermentation
    Answer: (b) Photosynthesis

  4. The largest organ in the human body is the:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Kidney
    (c) Skin
    (d) Heart
    Answer: (c) Skin

  5. The respiratory organ in fish is the:
    (a) Gills
    (b) Lungs
    (c) Skin
    (d) Trachea
    Answer: (a) Gills

  6. The movement of water from the soil into the root cells is by:
    (a) Osmosis
    (b) Diffusion
    (c) Active transport
    (d) Transpiration
    Answer: (a) Osmosis

  7. The human blood group that is considered the universal donor is:
    (a) A
    (b) B
    (c) AB
    (d) O
    Answer: (d) O

  8. Which of these is not a function of the skeleton?
    (a) Protection
    (b) Support
    (c) Production of red blood cells
    (d) Digestion
    Answer: (d) Digestion

  9. The main functional unit of the kidney is the:
    (a) Nephron
    (b) Alveolus
    (c) Neuron
    (d) Glomerulus
    Answer: (a) Nephron

  10. The type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart is:
    (a) Vein
    (b) Artery
    (c) Capillary
    (d) Lymphatic vessel
    Answer: (b) Artery

  11. Photosynthetic pigments are located in the:
    (a) Mitochondria
    (b) Chloroplast
    (c) Ribosome
    (d) Vacuole
    Answer: (b) Chloroplast

  12. The process of releasing energy from food in the presence of oxygen is:
    (a) Photosynthesis
    (b) Respiration
    (c) Fermentation
    (d) Transpiration
    Answer: (b) Respiration

  13. Human DNA is located mostly in the:
    (a) Cytoplasm
    (b) Nucleus
    (c) Mitochondria
    (d) Cell membrane
    Answer: (b) Nucleus

  14. The part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination is the:
    (a) Cerebrum
    (b) Cerebellum
    (c) Medulla
    (d) Hypothalamus
    Answer: (b) Cerebellum

  15. Enzymes are:
    (a) Proteins
    (b) Carbohydrates
    (c) Lipids
    (d) Vitamins
    Answer: (a) Proteins

  16. The hormone that regulates blood sugar level is:
    (a) Insulin
    (b) Adrenaline
    (c) Thyroxine
    (d) Estrogen
    Answer: (a) Insulin

  17. The producer in a food chain is usually a:
    (a) Herbivore
    (b) Carnivore
    (c) Decomposer
    (d) Green plant
    Answer: (d) Green plant

  18. The process by which plants lose water vapor through stomata is called:
    (a) Osmosis
    (b) Transpiration
    (c) Photosynthesis
    (d) Respiration
    Answer: (b) Transpiration

  19. The muscular organ that pumps blood around the body is the:
    (a) Brain
    (b) Heart
    (c) Liver
    (d) Kidney
    Answer: (b) Heart

  20. The part of a cell which controls all activities is the:
    (a) Nucleus
    (b) Cytoplasm
    (c) Cell membrane
    (d) Mitochondria
    Answer: (a) Nucleus

  21. The primary function of red blood cells is to:
    (a) Fight infections
    (b) Carry oxygen
    (c) Clot blood
    (d) Carry carbon dioxide
    Answer: (b) Carry oxygen

  22. The eye pigment that helps in night vision is called:
    (a) Chlorophyll
    (b) Rhodopsin
    (c) Hemoglobin
    (d) Melanin
    Answer: (b) Rhodopsin

  23. The structure that prevents food from entering the windpipe is the:
    (a) Esophagus
    (b) Epiglottis
    (c) Trachea
    (d) Pharynx
    Answer: (b) Epiglottis

  24. The cells responsible for immunity are:
    (a) Red blood cells
    (b) Neurons
    (c) White blood cells
    (d) Platelets
    Answer: (c) White blood cells

  25. In human males, sperm is produced in the:
    (a) Prostate gland
    (b) Testis
    (c) Epididymis
    (d) Seminal vesicle
    Answer: (b) Testis

  26. The energy currency molecule of cells is:
    (a) DNA
    (b) RNA
    (c) ATP
    (d) ADP
    Answer: (c) ATP

  27. Fungi obtain their food through:
    (a) Photosynthesis
    (b) Absorption
    (c) Ingestion
    (d) Decomposition
    Answer: (b) Absorption

  28. The site of protein synthesis in the cell is the:
    (a) Nucleus
    (b) Mitochondria
    (c) Ribosome
    (d) Chloroplast
    Answer: (c) Ribosome

  29. The organ that removes old and damaged red blood cells is the:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Kidney
    (c) Spleen
    (d) Pancreas
    Answer: (c) Spleen

  30. The male reproductive cell is the:
    (a) Ovum
    (b) Sperm
    (c) Zygote
    (d) Gamete
    Answer: (b) Sperm

  31. Blood glucose level is regulated by:
    (a) Adrenaline
    (b) Glucagon and insulin
    (c) Thyroxine
    (d) Estrogen
    Answer: (b) Glucagon and insulin

  32. The process by which amoeba engulfs food particles is called:
    (a) Diffusion
    (b) Osmosis
    (c) Phagocytosis
    (d) Active transport
    Answer: (c) Phagocytosis

  33. The main function of the human liver is to:
    (a) Produce insulin
    (b) Detoxify harmful substances
    (c) Pump blood
    (d) Digest protein
    Answer: (b) Detoxify harmful substances

  34. Carrier proteins in the cell membrane are involved in:
    (a) Passive diffusion
    (b) Active transport
    (c) Endocytosis
    (d) Osmosis
    Answer: (b) Active transport

  35. The thick wall of a plant cell that provides support is called the:
    (a) Cell membrane
    (b) Cell wall
    (c) Cytoplasm
    (d) Mitochondrion
    Answer: (b) Cell wall

  36. Which component of blood helps in clotting?
    (a) Red blood cells
    (b) White blood cells
    (c) Platelets
    (d) Plasma
    Answer: (c) Platelets

  37. The process of cell division in somatic cells is called:
    (a) Meiosis
    (b) Mitosis
    (c) Fertilization
    (d) Differentiation
    Answer: (b) Mitosis

  38. The hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy is:
    (a) Testosterone
    (b) Estrogen
    (c) Progesterone
    (d) Adrenaline
    Answer: (c) Progesterone

  39. Root hairs function mainly to:
    (a) Absorb water and minerals
    (b) Store food
    (c) Transport water
    (d) Anchor the plant
    Answer: (a) Absorb water and minerals

  40. The main gas that plants take in during photosynthesis is:
    (a) Oxygen
    (b) Carbon dioxide
    (c) Nitrogen
    (d) Hydrogen
    Answer: (b) Carbon dioxide

  41. Antibodies are produced by:
    (a) Red blood cells
    (b) B lymphocytes
    (c) Platelets
    (d) T lymphocytes
    Answer: (b) B lymphocytes

  42. Insects breathe through:
    (a) Lungs
    (b) Gills
    (c) Spiracles and tracheae
    (d) Skin
    Answer: (c) Spiracles and tracheae

  43. Which of the following is the basic building block of proteins?
    (a) Fatty acids
    (b) Amino acids
    (c) Glucose
    (d) Nucleotides
    Answer: (b) Amino acids

  44. The function of the stomata in leaves is:
    (a) Transport water
    (b) Gas exchange
    (c) Photosynthesis
    (d) Support
    Answer: (b) Gas exchange

  45. Which part of the nervous system controls voluntary activities?
    (a) Autonomic
    (b) Central
    (c) Somatic
    (d) Sympathetic
    Answer: (c) Somatic

  46. The process of fertilization in animals takes place in the:
    (a) Ovary
    (b) Uterus
    (c) Oviduct
    (d) Vagina
    Answer: (c) Oviduct

  47. The largest gland in the human body is the:
    (a) Kidney
    (b) Liver
    (c) Pancreas
    (d) Thyroid
    Answer: (b) Liver

  48. Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?
    (a) Vitamin A
    (b) Vitamin B
    (c) Vitamin C
    (d) Vitamin K
    Answer: (d) Vitamin K

  49. The process by which plants lose water is called:
    (a) Transpiration
    (b) Respiration
    (c) Photosynthesis
    (d) Evaporation
    Answer: (a) Transpiration

  50. In human, fertilization takes place in the:
    (a) Ovary
    (b) Uterus
    (c) Fallopian tube
    (d) Cervix
    Answer: (c) Fallopian tube

  51. The process of producing offspring in organisms is called:
    (a) Metabolism
    (b) Reproduction
    (c) Respiration
    (d) Nutrition
    Answer: (b) Reproduction

  52. The green pigment responsible for photosynthesis is:
    (a) Chlorophyll
    (b) Carotene
    (c) Xanthophyll
    (d) Anthocyanin
    Answer: (a) Chlorophyll

  53. The part of the brain that controls involuntary activities such as breathing and heartbeat is the:
    (a) Cerebrum
    (b) Cerebellum
    (c) Medulla oblongata
    (d) Hypothalamus
    Answer: (c) Medulla oblongata

  54. Blood cells that fight infection are:
    (a) Red blood cells
    (b) White blood cells
    (c) Platelets
    (d) Plasma
    Answer: (b) White blood cells

  55. The enzyme responsible for breaking down starch into sugar is:
    (a) Pepsin
    (b) Amylase
    (c) Protease
    (d) Lipase
    Answer: (b) Amylase

  56. The male reproductive cell is called:
    (a) Ovum
    (b) Sperm
    (c) Zygote
    (d) Gamete
    Answer: (b) Sperm

  57. The functional unit of the kidney is the:
    (a) Nephron
    (b) Alveolus
    (c) Neuron
    (d) Glomerulus
    Answer: (a) Nephron

  58. Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin under sunlight?
    (a) Vitamin A
    (b) Vitamin C
    (c) Vitamin D
    (d) Vitamin E
    Answer: (c) Vitamin D

  59. Which structure in plant cells stores water and nutrients?
    (a) Chloroplast
    (b) Nucleus
    (c) Vacuole
    (d) Ribosome
    Answer: (c) Vacuole

  60. The main function of the xylem in plants is:
    (a) Transport food
    (b) Transport water
    (c) Photosynthesis
    (d) Support
    Answer: (b) Transport water

  61. Which part of the eye controls the amount of light entering?
    (a) Retina
    (b) Cornea
    (c) Iris
    (d) Lens
    Answer: (c) Iris

  62. The process by which plants lose water vapor mainly through the leaves is called:
    (a) Transpiration
    (b) Respiration
    (c) Photosynthesis
    (d) Guttation
    Answer: (a) Transpiration

  63. The process where genetic material is exchanged between two similar chromosomes is:
    (a) Mitosis
    (b) Meiosis
    (c) Crossing over
    (d) Fertilization
    Answer: (c) Crossing over

  64. Which blood vessels carry blood toward the heart?
    (a) Veins
    (b) Arteries
    (c) Capillaries
    (d) Venules
    Answer: (a) Veins

  65. The primary site of nutrient absorption in the human digestive system is the:
    (a) Stomach
    (b) Small intestine
    (c) Large intestine
    (d) Esophagus
    Answer: (b) Small intestine

  66. The control center of the cell is the:
    (a) Nucleus
    (b) Cytoplasm
    (c) Mitochondrion
    (d) Cell membrane
    Answer: (a) Nucleus

  67. Which organisms are classified as decomposers?
    (a) Plants
    (b) Animals
    (c) Fungi
    (d) Algae
    Answer: (c) Fungi

  68. The vitamin necessary for clotting of blood is:
    (a) Vitamin A
    (b) Vitamin C
    (c) Vitamin D
    (d) Vitamin K
    Answer: (d) Vitamin K

  69. The disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C is:
    (a) Rickets
    (b) Scurvy
    (c) Anemia
    (d) Beriberi
    Answer: (b) Scurvy

  70. The muscle responsible for breathing movements is the:
    (a) Biceps
    (b) Diaphragm
    (c) Triceps
    (d) Abdominal muscle
    Answer: (b) Diaphragm

  71. The site where fertilization takes place in human females is the:
    (a) Ovary
    (b) Uterus
    (c) Fallopian tube
    (d) Vagina
    Answer: (c) Fallopian tube

  72. Blood is composed of:
    (a) Plasma only
    (b) Red and white blood cells only
    (c) Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
    (d) Water and nutrients
    Answer: (c) Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

  73. The excretory organ in the human body is the:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Kidney
    (c) Lung
    (d) Heart
    Answer: (b) Kidney

  74. The coiled part of the male reproductive system where sperm mature is:
    (a) Vas deferens
    (b) Testis
    (c) Epididymis
    (d) Seminal vesicle
    Answer: (c) Epididymis

  75. The mouthparts used by insects to bite and chew are:
    (a) Proboscis
    (b) Mandibles
    (c) Antennae
    (d) Labium
    Answer: (b) Mandibles

  76. The hormone that controls blood sugar levels is:
    (a) Adrenaline
    (b) Insulin
    (c) Testosterone
    (d) Estrogen
    Answer: (b) Insulin

  77. The opening on the surface of leaves that allows gas exchange is the:
    (a) Stomata
    (b) Cuticle
    (c) Palisade cells
    (d) Epidermis
    Answer: (a) Stomata

  78. The nitrogenous base that pairs with adenine in DNA is:
    (a) Thymine
    (b) Guanine
    (c) Cytosine
    (d) Uracil
    Answer: (a) Thymine

  79. The site where respiration takes place in cells is the:
    (a) Nucleus
    (b) Mitochondria
    (c) Chloroplast
    (d) Cytoplasm
    Answer: (b) Mitochondria

  80. The term that describes the maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body is:
    (a) Metabolism
    (b) Homeostasis
    (c) Adaptation
    (d) Respiration
    Answer: (b) Homeostasis

  81. The part of the plant responsible for absorbing mineral nutrients from the soil is the:
    (a) Root hair
    (b) Stem
    (c) Leaf
    (d) Flower
    Answer: (a) Root hair

  82. The protein responsible for oxygen transport in blood is:
    (a) Albumin
    (b) Hemoglobin
    (c) Myosin
    (d) Insulin
    Answer: (b) Hemoglobin

  83. The main tissue responsible for transporting water in plants is:
    (a) Phloem
    (b) Xylem
    (c) Collenchyma
    (d) Parenchyma
    Answer: (b) Xylem

  84. The term used for animals that feed on both plants and animals is:
    (a) Herbivores
    (b) Carnivores
    (c) Omnivores
    (d) Decomposers
    Answer: (c) Omnivores

  85. The function of ribosomes is:
    (a) Protein synthesis
    (b) Energy production
    (c) Genetic material storage
    (d) Transport of substances
    Answer: (a) Protein synthesis

  86. In the food chain, the organisms that break down dead matter are called:
    (a) Producers
    (b) Consumers
    (c) Decomposers
    (d) Herbivores
    Answer: (c) Decomposers

  87. The organ responsible for the filtration of blood in humans is the:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Kidney
    (c) Bladder
    (d) Heart
    Answer: (b) Kidney

  88. Which vitamin is deficient in rickets?
    (a) A
    (b) B
    (c) C
    (d) D
    Answer: (d) D

  89. In flowering plants, fertilization occurs in the:
    (a) Ovule
    (b) Petal
    (c) Ovary
    (d) Style
    Answer: (a) Ovule

  90. The process by which water evaporates from the leaves is called:
    (a) Transpiration
    (b) Photosynthesis
    (c) Respiration
    (d) Diffusion
    Answer: (a) Transpiration

  91. The stage of meiosis where crossing over occurs is:
    (a) Prophase I
    (b) Anaphase I
    (c) Metaphase II
    (d) Telophase I
    Answer: (a) Prophase I

  92. Which organelles are involved in photosynthesis?
    (a) Nucleus
    (b) Mitochondria
    (c) Chloroplasts
    (d) Lysosomes
    Answer: (c) Chloroplasts

  93. The male gamete in plants is called:
    (a) Pollen grain
    (b) Ovule
    (c) Seed
    (d) Fruit
    Answer: (a) Pollen grain

  94. Which of the following is not a characteristic of living things?
    (a) Growth
    (b) Reproduction
    (c) Metabolism
    (d) Movement towards light
    Answer: (d) Movement towards light

  95. The substance that carries genetic information is:
    (a) RNA
    (b) Protein
    (c) DNA
    (d) Enzyme
    Answer: (c) DNA

  96. The heart is protected by the:
    (a) Skin
    (b) Rib cage
    (c) Diaphragm
    (d) Pelvis
    Answer: (b) Rib cage

  97. The primary function of white blood cells is to:
    (a) Transport oxygen
    (b) Fight infections
    (c) Clot blood
    (d) Store nutrients
    Answer: (b) Fight infections

  98. In the human body, bile is produced by the:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Pancreas
    (c) Stomach
    (d) Small intestine
    Answer: (a) Liver

  99. The sugar found in DNA is:
    (a) Glucose
    (b) Ribose
    (c) Deoxyribose
    (d) Fructose
    Answer: (c) Deoxyribose

  100. The site for absorption of water in the human body is the:
    (a) Stomach
    (b) Small intestine
    (c) Large intestine
    (d) Pancreas
    Answer: (c) Large intestine

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