WAEC 2024 BIOLOGY PRACTICAL

SPECIMEN A – Gill of fish (freshly procured)

Observable Features of specimen A- Presence of the following; i. gill filament ii. Gill rakers iii. Gill
arch iv. Gill lamella

Characteristic /Adaptive/Observable features of specimen A: i. Large surface area; to increase the rate
of diffusion.

ii. Moist surface; for diffusion of dissolved gases/ gaseous exchange.

iii. Thin walled/ Thin membrane; to make diffusion easy.

iv. It is richly supplied with blood vessels/ high vascularized; as diffusion medium for gaseous exchange.

Group of organisms that uses specimen A as Respiratory surface: Pisces/Fishes e.g Tilapia fish, Cat
fish, (any bony fish).

Functions/Uses/Importance : For gaseous exchange / for respiration.

Location- Inside/under the operculum.

Diagram( see page 13)

Specimen B – Whole Liver from a domestic fowl with gall bladder attached, in a petri dish (freshly
procured).

Observable Features of specimen B: i. It is solid/thick/turgid ii. It is dark red in colour.

iii. Smooth on the surface/texture.

Location in the body of Aves/Mammals: Below the diaphragm/upper part of the abdominal
cavity/abdomen.

Functions of specimen B: i. Production of bile. ii. Regulation of lipids. iii. Production of heat. iv.
Detoxification. v. Regulation of blood sugar

Diseases of specimen B: i. Gall stones. ii. Cancer of the Liver iii. Cirrhosis of the Liver. iv. Diabetes
mellitus. v. Infective hepatitis.

The gall bladder which stores the bile is connected to the duodenum by a short tube called bile duct.

Fluid (oosing substance) in specimen B - Bile

Functions of the fluid (Bile) in specimen B:

i. It emulsifies fats and oil into droplets ii. The inorganic salt in it neutralize the acid in the chyme/bile
neutralize chime iii. It provides alkaline medium for pancreatic juice to act.

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iv. It prevents the decay of food in the small intestine v. It gives brownish and yellowish colouration of
feaces.

Test for alkaline substance in Specimen B (liver with gall bladder)

Test Observation Inference

Part of specimen B (Gall Turns to blue Presence of alkaline substance
bladder) + Red litmus paper called bile.

SPECIMENS C- Lungs from a domestic fowl on a white tile (freshly procured)

Observable features of specimen C: i. Soft/fluffy and spongy.ii. Red and brighter in colour.

iii. It is filled/convoluted surface.

Adaptive features of specimen C:

i. Most/wet surface; for dissolving gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide).

ii. Thin surface membrane for easy diffusion exchange of gases.

iii. Many blood vessels/highly vascularized for transportation of gases/dissolved food substances.

iv. Large surface area to volume ratio for easy diffusion of gases.

Function/biological importance/ life processes associated with specimen C: Respiration /exchange of

gases/surface for inspiration and expiration.

Location in the body: Thoracic cavity/chest/thorax region.

Conditions necessary for specimen C to function: i. Respiratory medium e.g oxygen.

ii. Transport medium like blood iii. Respiratory surface.

NB- The above conditions are applicable to specimen A (Gill)

Diseases of Specimen C – Lungs: i. Pneumonia ii. Asthma iii. Catarrh iv. Common cold v. Tuberculosis

Common function of A and C: Gaseous exchange.

Similarities between A and C: i. Both have moist surface ii. Both have large surface area iii. Both have
network of capillaries / highly vascularized iv. Pink/red in colour

Differences Between A and B

SPECIMEN A (GILL OF FISH) SPECIMEN C (LUNGS OF DOMESTIC

FOWL)
i. Gill rakers present i. Gill rakers absent

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 ii. Gill arch present ii. Gill arch absent
iii. Gill lamella present iii. Gill lamella absent
iv. Gill filament present iv. Gill filament absent
v. Not fluffy v. Fluffy/soft
iv. Pleural membrane/cavity absent iv. Pleural membrane/cavity present

Differences Between Specimen B and C/A

SPECIMEN B (LIVER OF DOMESTIC SPECIMEN C- LUNGS/ A- GILL

FOWL)
i. It is solid, thick and turgid it is soft /fluffy and spongy
ii. Dark red in colour Bright red in colour
iii. Smooth surface area It has folded /convoluted surface

Diagram of Lung (see page 13)

SPECIMEN D- Whole Gizzard of Domestic fowl (freshly procured)

Group of organisms that possesses specimen D: Aves/ Birds

Examples of organisms that possesses specimen D : Domestic fowl, Duck, Turkey, Guinea fowl etc.

Observable Features of Specimen D- Gizzard:

i. Thick muscular wall ii. Swollen anterior end called proventriculus (glandular stomach) iii. Grit /
pebbles / stones are present.

Location in the Body: Between sac-like crop and intestine

Function /uses / importance: Mechanical breakdown or grinding of seeds and other food substances.

Enzymes associated with proventriculus: It secretes protein digesting enzyme called pepsin, amylase
and dilute hydrochloric acid.

Associated organs with specimen D- Gizzard: Crop at the anterior end and Duodenum and Liver at the
posterior end

Vitamin in Gizzard: B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Elements in Gizzard: Zinc, Phosphorus, Iron

SPECIMEN E- Whole intestine from domestic fowl spread in a tray (freshly procured)

Observable Features/ Reasons for Identification

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i. long and coiled; to provides large surface area for easy absorption.

Components of Specimen E: Duodenum, ileum and colon.

Function of Specimen E- intestine: For absorption of food and water

Diagram Showing the Relationship Between Specimen B, C and D (see page 13 )

Specimen F- Ginger rhizome (fresh)

Habitat- Land

Observable features: i. Brown/grey in colour ii. Cylindrical in shape iii. Leaves reduce to scales.

iv. Presence of nodes/internodes v. Terminal bud present.

Part modified to form the Specimen- Stem.

Part used for propagation-Rhizome.

Stored materials- Water/Starch.

Method of Reproduction- Vegetative propagation

Reason- Presence of modified underground stem called rhizome.

Classification based on life cycle- Biennial plant/crop.

Classification based on uses- Spices.

Classification based on form or morphology- Monocotyledon.

Scientific/Botanical classification:

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum/Division: Tracheophyta

Class : Liliopsida Family : Zingiberaceae

Genus : Zingiber Species : offinale

Economic importance/uses:

i. Source of food (spices for food) ii. Source of income (it is a cash crop).

iii. For medicinal use.

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Specimen G- Onion bulb.

Habitat- Land

Part modified to form specimen- Shoot.

Parts used for propagation-Bulb.

Stored materials- Water/Sucrose.

Method of reproduction/propagation- Vegetative.

Observable features:

i. Spherical in shape ii. Presence of papery scales iii. Presence of bulbs iv. Presence of
succulent leaves for food storage v. Presence of adventitious root; for absorption of
water/mineral salts; for anchorage.

Part in which food is stored- Succulent.

Class of plant organ- Monocotyledonae.

Reasons: i. Elongated/long leaves/leaf ii. Presence of adventitious roots/fibrous roots.

Life Cycle- Biennial crop.

Economic importance: i. Source of income ii. Source of food iii. For medicinal use.

Classification based on uses- Spices

Scientific/Botanical classification:

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum/Division: Tracheophyta

Class : Angiospermatophyta Sub-Class : Monocotyledoneae

Genus: Allium Species: cepa

Diagram of the Longitudinal Section of Onion (see page 14)

Mode of propagation: Terminal buds sprout into new shoots.

Similarities Between Ginger Rhizome and Onion Bulb.

Both have the following: i. Adventitious roots. ii. Scaly leaves. iii. Underground stem. iv. Terminal buds.

Ginger Rhizome Onion Bulb

i. Cylindrical, flattened and irregular in shape. Spherical in shape.

ii. Presence of nodes/internodes Absence of nodes/internodes.

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 iii. Horny scales. Papery scales.
iv. Stored food in entire rhizome in form of Stored food (starch) in succulent leaves.
starch.
Underground stem is thick. The stem is reduced.

Specimen H- Leaf of Bryophyllum (with adventitious roots).

Observable features: i. Large and broad surface area; for photosynthesis.

ii. Adventitious buds on leaf margin.

Habitat- Land

Stored materials: Water, mineral salts, starch.

Mode of propagation-Sprouting of adventitious buds at margins of leaves.

Examples of other plants propagated by leaves- Begonia

Biological Economic importance: i. Use for vegetative propagation ii.Storage organ (stores water,
mineral salts) iii. For photosynthesis iv. For exchange of gases v. For transpiaration.

Diagram (see page 14 )

Specimen J- Cassava stem.

Observable features: i. Presence of nodes/internodes ii. Presence of leaf scars.

iii. Presence of auxiliary bud.

Pests of Specimen J: i. Grasshopper. ii. Mealy bug. iii. White flies. Iv. Rodents.

Diseases: i. Cassava mosaic. ii. Leaf spot. iii. Root knot.

Mode of Reproduction/propagation- Stem cutting Reasons- Presence of buds.

Part modified to form- Stem

Stored materials – Starch, water, mineral salts.

Classification based on life cycle- Biennial plant

Classification based on uses- Root-tuber.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum/Division: Tracheophyta

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Super-Class: Spermatophyta Class: Angiospermatophyta

Sub-Class: Dicotyledoneae Genus: Manihot Species: exulenta

Habitat- Land

Morphological classification- Dicotyledon.

Diagram (see page 14)

Differences between Cassava stem and Bryophyllum leaf.

Cassava Stem Bryophyllum leaf

Absence of adventitious roots. Presence of adventitious roots.
Presence of nodes and internodes. Absence of nodes and internodes.
Brown coloured. Green coloured.

SPECIMEN K-Cassava tuber.

Observable features/Reasons for identification

i. large and swollen ii. Adventitious root iii. Lateral root

Uses / importance / functions: i. Source of food (vitamin c & Carbohydrate) ii. Source of income iii. For
making of alcoholic beverages

TEST OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Cut cassava tuber + blue litmus Blue litmus paper turns red Presence of Hydrocyanic acid
paper and vitamin c in cassava tuber.
Cut cassava tuber + two drops Colour turns blue-black Starch is present.
of iodine solution

Toxic substance in specimen K – Cassava tuber: Hydrocyanic acid.

Ways of Removing Hydrocyanic acid in cassava tuber

i. Soaking the tubers in water for some days/ fermentation

ii. Drying the soaked tuber in water for some days/fermentation
iii. Boiling/cooking the tubers
iv. Frying
v. Grinding the tubers & squeezing out the water under pressure for few days

Function of specimen K: i. storage organ ii. Organ of support and anchorage.

Diagram (see page 14)

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SPECIMEN L – Thoracic vertebra of a mammal

Observable Features/ Reasons for Identification

i. Presence of long neural spine ii. Presence of a pair of short transverse process iii. Presence of
large cylindrical centrum iv. Presence of large neural canal v. Presence of demi-facets on
centrum for articulation with the capitulum of the ribs

FUNCTIONS OF THORACIC VERTEBRA OF A MAMMAL

i. It aids attachment of ribs ii. It assists in breathing alongside with the ribs iii. Muscles of the
shoulder and back are attached to neural spines iv. It forms the cage for the protection of the
heart

Functions of the labelled parts.

-Neural arch provides surface for muscle attachment and protect spinal cord

-Provides (mechanical) Support (function of centrum)

-Provides attachment of abdominal muscles (function of neural spine)

-Transverse process provide muscles attachment

LOCATION/REGION OF THORACIC VERTEBRA IN THE BODY: Chest region

NUMBER OF THORACIC VERTEBRA IN THE BODY: Man (12), Rabbit (12-13), Rat (13)

BONES ATTACHED/ARTICULATED TO THE THORACIC VERTEBRA: Ribs: anteriorly –

cervical Vertebra: posteriorly – lumbar

Diagram (see page 15)

SPECIMEN M- Humerus bone

Location / Region of specimen M in the body: Upper arm (i.e. between the shoulder joint and the elbow
joint).

Observable Features/ Reasons for Identification

i. Presence of shaft & two extremities

ii. Proximal end consist of a rounded head without a neck

iii. Distal end forms a trochlea

iv. A bicipital groove lies in between the head and the greater tuberosity.

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vi. The distal end form a grooved pulley like surface called trochlea

Functions – i. Forms attachment surface for biceps muscles triceps muscles

ii. The bicipital groove anchors the biceps muscles. iii. Forms ball for socket joint at the shoulder iv.
Form hinge joint at the elbow v. it allows free movement of the arm

Bones attached/ articulated with: Anteriorly scapula at the glenoid cavity. Posteriorly articulated with
radius and ulna for hinge joint.

Number in Human: Two (2)

Diagram (see page 15)

Type of joint at the Anterior end: Ball and socket

Type of joint at the Posterior end: Hinge joint

Elements contained: calcium, phosphorus.

SPECIMEN N- Mango seed (dry)

Observable features: i. oval in shape ii. leathery seed coat iii. The embryo and endosperm are present iv.
enclosed in stony endocarp.

Class / Type of Fruit: Drupe -Reason: it has a single seed and stony endocarp.

Conditions necessary for the germination of mango seed

i. Water (moisture) ii. oxygen (air) iii. viable seeds iv. warmth/suitable temperature.

Dormancy: is a short period of rest which precedes the germination of seeds. Or it is an inactive period
of a seed during which growth slow or completely ceases due to certain internal or external factors.

Ways of breaking seed dormancy

Removal of Testa ii. Treatment of seed with acid or digestive enzymes or water iii. Exposure to
alternating high and low temperature iv. Addition of dormancy breaking hormones (Auxin) v. exposure to
fire.

Causes of dormancy

Non-viable seed been planted ii. Hard seed coat i.e. seed coat may be hard to absorb water iii. Failure of
the seed coat to swell even after absorbing water to allow the emergence of the radicle. iv. Lack of certain
chemicals in the soil to induce germination process.

Diagram (study the diagram)

Vitamins in mango: A, C, D, E, K, B (1-12).

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Elements in mango seed: starch/carbohydrate, protein (amino acid), oil, water.

SPECIMEN P – Femur bone

Observable Features / Reasons for Identification

i. Presence of cylindrical shaft and two extremities.

ii. The proximal end bears a head with a separating neck

iii. Opposite, a separating neck is greater trochanter.

iv. The distal end bears the condyle and the patella groove.

Location in the Body: Hip (Between the hip and the knee)

Functions/ Uses/ Importance

i. Forms a ball and socket joint with the acetabulum (ilium) allowing free movement of hind limb

ii. Forms attachment surface for the thigh muscles

iii. The distal end forms a hinge joint with the patella, tibia and fibula

Number in the body: two (2)

Bones articulated/attached: Anteriorly/proximal end: it articulate with ilium. Posteriorly/ Distal end:
articulate with patella , tibia and fibula to form a hinge joint.

Bones Articulated /Attached with Femur bone: Anteriorly /proximal end- Acetabulum (ilium) of the
pelvic; Posteriorly/ distal end, it articulates with patella, tibia and fibula to form a Hinge joint.

Similarities Between Humerus and Femur Bones

i. Both the heads form ball and socket joint with the corresponding bones
ii. Both the heads fit in the spherical process of the proximal ends
iii. Both contains three parts; proximal part, shaft and distal part.

Differences Between Humerus and Femur Bones

Humerus bone (specimen M) Femur bone (Specimen P)

Short in size longer in size
Presence of hole above trochlea Absence of hole
Have less prominent head Have a more prominent head

Diagram (see page 15)

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 SPECIMEN Q- Lumbar vertebra of a mammal

OBSERVABLE FEATURES

i. Have large centrum

ii. Have large and developed transverse process
iii. Have broad, short and flat neural spine which project upwards and forward
iv. Have curved pre-zygapophysis
v. Have anapophysis (extra process) and metapophysis for attachment of muscles

FUNCTIONS OF LUMBAR VERTEBRA

i. It bears considerable weight of the body

ii. Neural arch provides surface for muscle attachment and protect spinal cord
iii. Provides (mechanical) Support (function of centrum)
iv. Prevent sagging in the posture of tall people at old age
v. Provides attachment of abdominal muscles (function of neural spine)
vi. Transverse process provide muscles attachment

Location/region in the body: Abdominal/ Waist region

Number of lumbar vertebra: in man (5), rat (6), rabbit (7)

Bones that articulate/attach to the lumbar vertebra: Thoracic vertebra at the anterior end and sacral
vertebra at the posterior end

Diagram {see page 15}

NB: Specimen L, and Q are axial skeleton while M and P are appendicular skeleton

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN LUMBAR AND THORACIC VERTEBRA

Both have: i. neural spine ii. Centrum iii. Neural canal iv. Neural arch v. Transverse process vi. Pre-
zygapophysis

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LUMBAR AND THORACIC VERTEBRA

Thoracic vertebra Lumbar vertebra

i. Long neural spine Short neural spine
ii. Transverse process not well developed Transverse process well developed
iii. Centrum small Centrum large
iv. Neural canal wide Neural canal narrow
v. Pre-zygapophysis not curved Pre-zygapophysis curved
vi. Tubercular facets present Tubercular facets absent
vii. (Demi-facet) Capitulum present (Demi-facet) Capitulum absent

Other vertebral bones in Humans: Cervical, sacral and caudal

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SPECIMEN R- Orange seeds (dry)

Observable features: i. Oval in shape ii. seed coat iii. The embryo and endosperm are present

Class/Type of Fruit: Berry -Reason: seeds are many, small in size, succulent mesocarp.

Diagram (study the diagram)

Vitamins in Orange seed: vitamin c.

Elements in Orange seed: starch/carbohydrate, protein (amino acid), oil, water.

NB;- Specimen A and C belongs to a life process called respiration/gaseous exchange.

-While B, D, E belongs to a life process called digestion.

-While F,G,H,J,K,N,R belongs to a life process called reproduction( asexual/vegetative reproduction)

-While L,M,P,Q are specimens that provide shape, protection and support.

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