WASSCE Biology Questions and Answers – Set 11
Fresh Biology examination-style practice questions with detailed answers, explanations, 100 MCQs, topic classification and difficulty analysis.
WASSCE Biology Practice Set 11
This Biology Set 11 is a fresh practice collection designed for students preparing for senior secondary Biology examinations. The questions cover human Biology, plant Biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, reproduction, microbiology and practical Biology.
Each structured question contains its answer, explanation, topic, chapter and difficulty level. The MCQ section contains 100 additional questions for revision and self-assessment.
The material below is original practice content and is not a reproduction of an official examination paper.
Section A — 50 Fresh Solved Biology Questions
Answer
The correct order is cell → tissue → organ → organ system.
Explanation
Cells form tissues, different tissues combine to form organs, and organs work together as organ systems.
Answer
It has a long extension that provides a large surface area and a thin wall that gives a short pathway for water movement.
Explanation
Its large surface area increases contact with soil water, while membrane transport proteins allow mineral ions to enter the cell.
Answer
They contain haemoglobin and have a biconcave shape that provides a large surface area relative to volume.
Explanation
Mature mammalian red blood cells also lack a nucleus, providing more space for haemoglobin.
Answer
Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens and other foreign particles.
Explanation
This process is called phagocytosis and forms part of the body’s non-specific immune defence.
Answer
Antibodies bind specifically to antigens and can help neutralise pathogens or mark them for destruction.
Explanation
Antibodies are produced by specialised lymphocytes following immune activation.
Answer
Vaccination exposes the immune system to harmless or weakened components or versions of a pathogen, allowing immune memory to develop.
Explanation
If the pathogen is encountered later, the immune system can respond more rapidly and effectively.
Answer
It provides an acidic environment that supports pepsin activity and helps destroy many microorganisms entering with food.
Explanation
The acidic stomach environment is important for protein digestion and provides part of the body’s defence against swallowed pathogens.
Answer
Large molecules must be broken into smaller soluble molecules that can cross the intestinal lining and enter the transport systems.
Explanation
For example, proteins are digested into amino acids and carbohydrates can be broken down into simple sugars.
Answer
The liver produces bile and detoxifies or modifies various substances. It also plays major roles in metabolism and storage.
Explanation
The liver is a major metabolic organ involved in processing nutrients, detoxification and production of several important substances.
Answer
Bile emulsifies large fat droplets into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area available to lipase.
Explanation
Bile itself is not the enzyme that digests fat. Its emulsifying action makes enzymatic digestion more efficient.
Answer
Incisors have relatively sharp cutting edges adapted for biting and cutting food.
Explanation
Different types of teeth have different shapes because they perform different mechanical roles during feeding.
Answer
Working muscles require more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide, so ventilation increases to meet demand and remove excess carbon dioxide.
Explanation
Chemical changes associated with increased carbon dioxide and acidity stimulate respiratory control mechanisms.
Answer
It allows oxygen to be loaded where oxygen concentration is high and released where tissues require it.
Explanation
This property makes haemoglobin effective for transporting oxygen from lungs to respiring tissues.
Answer
Heart valves prevent the backward flow of blood and help maintain one-directional circulation.
Explanation
Valves open and close according to pressure differences between chambers and vessels.
Answer
Blood passes through the heart twice during one complete circuit of the body: once through the pulmonary circulation and once through the systemic circulation.
Explanation
This arrangement allows efficient separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Answer
Arteries carry blood under relatively high pressure from the heart and therefore require strong, elastic walls.
Explanation
Capillaries instead have very thin walls suited to efficient exchange of substances with tissues.
Answer
High concentrations of nitrogenous waste can be harmful to cells, so the body must remove it to maintain suitable internal conditions.
Explanation
In humans, amino acid metabolism produces ammonia, which is converted mainly into urea in the liver before being excreted by the kidneys.
Answer
It is the process by which useful substances are taken from kidney filtrate back into the blood.
Explanation
Substances such as glucose, amino acids, useful ions and much of the water are normally reabsorbed in appropriate parts of the nephron.
Answer
The kidneys produce a smaller volume of more concentrated urine.
Explanation
Hormonal control increases water reabsorption from kidney tubules when the body needs to conserve water.
Answer
Hormones are chemical messengers transported through body fluids, whereas nerve impulses involve rapid electrical signalling along neurons.
Explanation
Hormonal effects often develop more slowly and may last longer than many nervous responses.
Answer
They provide rapid automatic responses that can reduce the effect of potentially harmful stimuli.
Explanation
Reflex pathways are organised to minimise the time between detection of a stimulus and the resulting response.
Answer
Receptors detect specific stimuli and initiate signals that allow the nervous system to respond.
Explanation
Different receptors are sensitive to different forms of stimulation, including light, pressure, temperature and chemicals.
Answer
The retina contains light-sensitive cells that convert light stimuli into nerve signals.
Explanation
These signals are transmitted through the optic pathway for processing by the brain.
Answer
The cochlea contains sensory receptors involved in hearing.
Explanation
Sound vibrations are converted into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system.
Answer
Auxin can stimulate cell elongation in shoots and contributes to directional growth responses.
Explanation
Unequal distribution of auxin can cause unequal cell elongation, producing curvature during phototropic growth.
Answer
It can produce offspring rapidly without requiring fusion of gametes or a mate.
Explanation
Asexual reproduction can be advantageous when environmental conditions are stable and rapid population increase is beneficial.
Answer
It combines genetic material from two parents and involves processes during meiosis that create genetically different gametes.
Explanation
Variation can increase a population’s ability to respond to changing environmental conditions.
Answer
Suitable moisture, oxygen and an appropriate temperature are generally required.
Explanation
Water activates metabolic processes, oxygen supports respiration and a suitable temperature allows enzyme activity to proceed effectively.
Answer
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.
Explanation
Pollination occurs before fertilisation in flowering plants and may occur within the same flower or between flowers.
Answer
The ovary normally develops into the fruit.
Explanation
The ovules inside the ovary generally develop into seeds after fertilisation.
Answer
A gene is a DNA sequence associated with a particular characteristic or function, while an allele is one of the alternative forms of that gene.
Explanation
Different alleles can contribute to differences in inherited characteristics.
Answer
DNA contains genetic information that can be transmitted from parents to offspring.
Explanation
The information encoded in DNA contributes to the production and regulation of proteins and biological characteristics.
Answer
Chromosomes are structures containing DNA associated with proteins.
Explanation
Chromosome organisation allows long DNA molecules to be packaged and maintained within cells.
Answer
Mutation and genetic recombination during sexual reproduction are major sources of genetic variation.
Explanation
Meiosis produces new combinations of alleles, while mutations can create new genetic variants.
Answer
If resistant bacteria are present, antibiotic exposure can kill susceptible bacteria while resistant ones survive and reproduce.
Explanation
Over generations, the frequency of resistance can increase because the resistant bacteria leave more descendants.
Answer
An ecosystem consists of living organisms interacting with one another and with the non-living components of their environment.
Explanation
An ecosystem therefore includes both biotic and abiotic components.
Answer
It is the maximum population size that an environment can support sustainably under particular conditions.
Explanation
Food availability, space, disease, predators and other limiting factors can influence carrying capacity.
Answer
Food shortage can increase competition, reduce reproductive success and increase mortality.
Explanation
As resources become limited, population growth may slow or population size may decline.
Answer
A food web shows several interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
Explanation
Most organisms feed on more than one type of food and may be eaten by several different organisms.
Answer
Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporates the carbon into organic compounds.
Explanation
Respiration and decomposition return carbon dioxide to the environment, helping maintain the carbon cycle.
Answer
Nitrogen is required to make amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids.
Explanation
Although atmospheric nitrogen is abundant, many organisms cannot use it directly and depend on nitrogen compounds made available through the nitrogen cycle.
Answer
Warm temperatures, adequate moisture and suitable oxygen availability can increase decomposition by supporting decomposer activity.
Explanation
The exact effect depends on the decomposer organisms and the type of material being broken down.
Answer
Protected areas help conserve habitats, species and ecological processes by limiting damaging human activities.
Explanation
They can support threatened populations and maintain important ecosystems.
Answer
It can cause habitat loss and reduce biodiversity. It can also increase soil erosion and disrupt local ecological processes.
Explanation
Removing vegetation changes habitats and can affect food webs, nutrient cycling and water movement.
Answer
Plant roots bind soil particles while vegetation reduces the direct impact of rainfall and slows surface water movement.
Explanation
Maintaining plant cover therefore helps protect fertile topsoil.
Answer
A control provides a comparison against which the effect of the tested variable can be assessed.
Explanation
Without a suitable comparison, it may be difficult to determine whether the treatment actually caused the observed effect.
Answer
Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the accepted or true value.
Explanation
Accuracy differs from precision, which concerns the closeness of repeated measurements to one another.
Answer
Reliability can be improved by repeating measurements, using consistent methods and obtaining a sufficient number of observations.
Explanation
Repeated results allow random variation to be identified and make the overall pattern more dependable.
Answer
An anomalous result is a measurement that differs substantially from the general pattern shown by the other results.
Explanation
An anomalous value should be investigated to determine whether an experimental error or unusual condition caused it.
Answer
Clear labels identify structures accurately and allow the reader to understand the biological information represented by the diagram.
Explanation
A good scientific diagram should be clear, appropriately sized and labelled without unnecessary artistic detail.
Section B — 100 Fresh Biology MCQs
Which level is directly formed when similar cells work together?
Which cell is specialised for absorption from soil?
Which pigment transports oxygen in red blood cells?
Which process involves engulfing a pathogen?
Antibodies are produced as part of the:
Vaccination can create:
Which organ produces bile?
Which enzyme begins significant protein digestion in the stomach?
What is the main function of the small intestine?
Which teeth are mainly used for grinding?
Why does exercise increase oxygen demand?
Which chamber pumps blood toward the lungs?
Which vessel carries blood from the heart to the body?
Which vessels connect arteries and veins?
What prevents blood flowing backward through a heart chamber?
Which component transports many dissolved substances?
Urea is produced mainly in the:
Which structure filters blood in the nephron?
Which organ system is strongly involved in water balance?
Hormones are transported mainly through:
Which cell carries electrical signals in the nervous system?
Which organ detects light?
Which structure changes shape to focus light?
Which part detects sound vibrations?
Which plant hormone is strongly associated with phototropism?
The male reproductive structure of a flower is the:
Pollen grains are produced in the:
Which structure receives pollen?
After fertilisation, an ovule usually develops into a:
Which gas is needed for aerobic respiration during germination?
Which molecule stores hereditary information?
Alternative forms of a gene are called:
Which term describes the genetic makeup of an organism?
Which term describes observable characteristics?
Which process produces genetically different gametes?
A mutation is a change in:
Natural selection acts directly on differences in:
For natural selection to change allele frequencies, variation should be:
Which process can create a new allele?
An ecosystem contains:
Which is an abiotic factor?
Which is a biotic factor?
Which process increases population size?
Which process reduces population size?
Competition becomes stronger when:
The maximum sustainable population size is called:
A food web represents:
Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Which process releases carbon dioxide?
Nitrogen is needed to make:
Which organisms commonly act as decomposers?
Which activity directly destroys wildlife habitat?
Plant roots help prevent:
Which pollutant can cause eutrophication?
Excessive algal growth may eventually cause:
Which organism causes malaria?
Malaria is transmitted mainly by:
Which measure can reduce mosquito-borne disease transmission?
Yeast belongs to which group?
Yeast can produce ethanol during:
The variable deliberately changed by a researcher is:
The variable measured is the:
A control variable should be:
Repeating an experiment mainly improves confidence in its:
Which instrument measures volume of a liquid?
Which instrument measures time?
Which tool is suitable for measuring length?
Which is qualitative data?
Which is quantitative data?
Which graph commonly displays change in a continuous variable?
Which device is commonly used to sample plants in a field?
Random sampling helps make a sample:
The mean is calculated by:
Which measure identifies the middle value when data are ordered?
The difference between the largest and smallest values is the:
Which structure is responsible for protein synthesis?
Which organelle modifies and packages many cellular products?
Which organelle contains enzymes that digest cellular materials?
The large central vacuole of a plant cell helps maintain:
Which structure gives plant cells additional mechanical support?
Where does photosynthesis occur in plant cells?
Which mineral is important in chlorophyll production?
Nitrate ions are important for producing:
Mineral ions commonly enter roots through:
High wind speed may increase:
High humidity generally causes transpiration to:
Most aerobic respiration occurs in:
Which molecule is the main immediate energy currency of cells?
During intense exercise, muscles may produce:
Which process releases energy from glucose?
Which organ produces sperm cells?
Which organ produces ova?
Where does implantation normally occur?
Which hormone is strongly associated with ovulation?
Which hormone helps maintain the uterine lining after ovulation?
Which process converts light energy into chemical energy in plants?
Which process breaks complex food into simpler molecules?
Which process removes metabolic waste from an organism?
Which characteristic is essential for all living organisms?
Which strategy is most useful after completing a Biology practice test?
Set 11 — Topic and Difficulty Analysis
| Topic | Major Areas Covered | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Biology | Organisation, specialised cells and organelles | Easy–Moderate |
| Human Nutrition | Digestion, enzymes, teeth and liver | Moderate |
| Circulation | Heart, blood vessels, haemoglobin and double circulation | Moderate |
| Respiration | Exercise, oxygen transport, ATP and anaerobic respiration | Moderate–Hard |
| Excretion | Urea, kidney, filtration and water balance | Moderate–Hard |
| Coordination | Nervous system, sense organs and hormones | Moderate |
| Plant Reproduction | Pollination, fertilisation, seeds and germination | Easy–Moderate |
| Genetics | DNA, genes, alleles, mutation and variation | Moderate–Hard |
| Evolution | Natural selection and adaptation | Hard |
| Ecology | Population, food webs, cycles and conservation | Moderate–Hard |
| Microbiology | Pathogens, malaria, fungi and disease prevention | Moderate |
| Practical Biology | Variables, controls, sampling, data and graphs | Moderate |
WASSCE Biology Set 11 — Paper Analysis
Conceptual questions: A large part of the set tests whether students understand biological processes rather than simply remembering isolated terms.
Application questions: Several questions require students to connect structure with function, such as root hair cells, red blood cells, heart valves, villi and haemoglobin.
Reasoning questions: The more challenging areas include natural selection, water balance, energy release, genetic variation and population ecology.
Practical questions: The final part of the structured section focuses on controls, variables, accuracy, reliability, anomalous results and biological diagrams.
Chapter-Wise Revision Checklist
- Revise levels of biological organisation.
- Learn specialised cells and their adaptations.
- Understand blood components and their functions.
- Study antibodies, antigens and vaccination.
- Revise digestion and digestive enzymes.
- Understand the functions of the liver and bile.
- Study heart chambers, valves and blood vessels.
- Understand oxygen transport by haemoglobin.
- Revise aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
- Study kidney filtration and selective reabsorption.
- Revise water balance and hormonal regulation.
- Study receptors and reflex actions.
- Revise the structure and functions of the eye and ear.
- Understand auxin and plant responses.
- Revise pollination and fertilisation in flowering plants.
- Study seed formation and germination.
- Revise DNA, genes, chromosomes and alleles.
- Understand mutation and genetic variation.
- Study natural selection and adaptation.
- Revise ecosystems and population dynamics.
- Understand carbon and nitrogen cycles.
- Study decomposition and conservation.
- Revise infectious diseases and disease prevention.
- Practise experimental variables and controls.
- Review graphs, averages and anomalous results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solved questions are included?
There are 50 structured Biology questions with answers and explanations.
How many MCQs are included?
There are 100 fresh multiple-choice questions with four options and correct answers.
Are these official WASSCE 2019 questions?
No. They are original examination-style Biology practice questions created for revision.
Which chapters are covered?
The set covers cell Biology, human nutrition, circulation, respiration, excretion, coordination, reproduction, genetics, evolution, ecology, microbiology and practical Biology.
Which questions are more difficult?
Questions involving water balance, haemoglobin, genetic variation, natural selection, population limits and experimental evaluation require more reasoning.
How should students use the 100 MCQs?
Students should attempt the MCQs without looking at the answers first, record incorrect responses and then revise the relevant chapter.
Is Set 11 different from Set 10?
Yes. Set 11 uses a different collection of questions and focuses on additional Biology concepts and applications.