WAEC 2021 BIOLOGY PRACTICAL

SPECIMEN A- CERVICAL VERTEBRA OF A MAMMAL

OBSERVABLE FEATURES OF SPECIMEN A
i. Absence of centrum
ii. Absence of prezygapophyses
iii. Has a reduced or less prominent neural spine
iv. Has rounded and wing like transverse process
v. Presence of vertebraterial canal
vi. Has large neural canal
FUNCTIONS OF SPECIMEN A i. It allows or permits nodding of the head as it fits into the occipital condyles of
the skull (atlas).
ii. It allows the twisting of the head (axis).
iii. It allows the passage of spinal cord (main function).
BONES ATTACHED OR ARTICULATED TO THE CERVICAL VERTEBRA: It articulates with the skull on its anterior
end and thoracic vertebra on the posterior end
LOCATION/REGION/POSITION OF CERVICAL VERTEBRA: Neck region
NUMBER IN THE BODY: 7
DIAGRAM {see page 9 } NB: The first cervical vertebra is ATLAS and the second is AXIS and the rest from 3- 7
are called normal cervical bones

*SPECIMEN B-THORACIC VERTEBRAOF A MAMMAL

OBSERVABLE FEATURES
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
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
DIAGARM {see page 9 }
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN A AND B
BOTH HAVE: i. Large neural canal ii. Transverse process iii. Neural spines
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPECIMEN A AND B
SPECIMEN A (CERVICAL VERTEBRA) SPECIMEN B (THORACIC VERTEBRA)
 Absence of centrum Presence of centrum
 Presence of vertebraterial canal Absence of vertebraterial canal
 Less prominent neural spine Very prominent neural spine
 Absence of prezygapophysis Presence of prezygapophysis
Flat and broad transverse process Narrow transverse process *

*SPECIMEN C- LUMBAR VERTEBRA OF A MAMMAL

OBSERVABLE FEATURES
i. Has large centrum
ii. Has large and developed transverse process
iii. Has broad, short and flat neural spine which project upwards and forward
iv. Has curved pre-zygapophysis

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 v. Has anapophysis (ertra process) and metapophysis for attachment of muscles
FUNCTIONS OF LUMBAR VERTEBRA
i. It bears considerable weight of the body
ii. It maintain the right and proper gait of the body
iii. Support pregnancy in females
iv. Prevent sagging in the posture of tall people at old age
v. Provides attachment of abdominal muscles
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 9 }
NB: Specimen A, B and D are axial skeleton while C is appendicular
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

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ATLAS VERTEBRA AND LUMBAR VERTEBRA

ATLAS VERTEBRA (SPECIMEN A) LUMBAR VERTEBRA (SPECIMEN C)
i. Reduced transverse process Long and large transverse process
ii. Small neural spine Broad and massive neural spine
iii. Wide neural canal Narrow neural canal
iv. Vertebraterial canal present Vertebrateral canal absent
v. Centrum absent Centrum present
vi. Few facets More facets

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CERVICAL VERTEBRA AND LUMBAR VERTEBRA

Both have: i. neural canal ii. Transverse process iii. Neural spine iv. Facets

*SPECIMEN D, E, F AND G

Drawing of Experimental Setup to Demonstrate the Conditions Necessary for Germination of Seeds

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Observation:-Bean seeds in beaker D germinate while those in E, F and G fail to germinate.

- Bean seed in D germinate because all the conditions necessary for germination are present in it.
- Bean seed in E fail to germinate because its testa has been removed. Otherwise the seeds are not
viable (not living & viable). The embryos of the seeds do not get the necessary stored food from the
cotyledon.
- Bean seeds in F fail to germinate because of the absence of air (oxygen) which is necessary for the
breakdown of stored food as a result of the presence of kerosene C 6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O +
ATP (Energy)
- Bean seeds in G fail to germinate because of the absence of water/moisture. Water is needed by
germinating seeds to speed up biochemical activities of the seeds and also to soften the testa.

Conclusion: Water (moisture), oxygen (air), viable seeds and warmth/suitable temperature are necessary
conditions for germination.

The process that takes place called germination. It is define as the process by which the embryo of a seed
grows out of its testa and develops into a seedling.

Conditions Necessary for Germination

i) The seed must be viable

ii) Moisture or water must be available: To reactivate the enzymes which hydrolyse the complex
food materials stored either in the cotyledons or end.
iii) There must be a suitable temperature.
- There must be adequate supply of air/ oxygen: To oxidize the simple sugar to CO 2, water and energy,
a process known as aerobic respiration. C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP (Energy)
 Dormancy: Is a short period of rest which precedes the germination of seeds. Or 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
i. 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
i. Non-viable seed been planted
ii. Hard seed coat i.e. seed coat may be too 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.

*SPECIMEN L- ADULT MOSQUITO (FRESHLY OBTAINED)

* Observable features/ reasons for identification.

 Presence of three body divisions: head, thorax and abdomen

 Presence of a pair of antennae
 Presence of a pair of compound eyes
 Presence of a pair of membranous wings.
 Presence of jointed appendages/ three pairs of walking legs.
 Presence of segmented body
 Presence of exoskeleton made of chitin
 Presence of long proboscis.

*Adaptive features of Biological importance/ significance

i. A pair of membranous wings for flight/ flying

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 ii. A long proboscis for feeding through piercing and sucking

iii. Chitinous exoskeleton for protection

iv. A pair of antennae for sensitivity

v. Three pairs of walking legs/ jointed appendages for movement

vi. Presence of spiracles for gaseous exchange.

*Habitats: Stagnant water, swampy areas, pond, forest etc.

*Young stage: Larva * Present stage of development: Adult.

Types: Female Anopheles mosquito, Culex mosquito, Aedes mosquito

*Phylum: Arthropoda

Reasons: i. Metameric segmentation/ segmented bodies

ii. Jointed appendages

iii. Presence of chitinous exoskeleton made of chitin

iv. Bilateral symmetry.

*Class: Insecta

Reasons: i. Presence of three body divisions: head, thorax and abdomen

ii. Presence of chitinous exoskeleton made of chitin

iii. Presence of a pair of compound eyes

iv. Presence of a pair of membranous wings.

*Feeding habits: Piercing and sucking

Reason for piercing and sucking /observable features used for feeding: Presence of long proboscis.

*Diseases associated with Adult mosquito: i. Malaria fever ii. Yellow fever iii. Dengue fever

Diseases Causative Organism Vector Host

Malaria fever Plasmodium (protozoan) Female Anopheles mosquito Man
bite
Dengue fever Virus Female Aedes mosquito bite Man
Yellow fever Virus Aedes mosquito bite Man
*Control of Adult mosquito

i. Spraying with insecticides /fumigation.

ii. Use of mosquito net

iii. Clearing of breeding places

iv. Biological control.

 Economic importance of Adult mosquito

i. Serve as a vector of parasites like plasmodium( which causes malaria fever)
ii. Mosquito bite is a source of great irritation and annoyance
iii. Disturb sleeping

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 iv. Increase cost of living in treatment and prevention.
v. Form part of food chain in aquatic habitat.

*Types of metamorphosis (Life cycle): Complete (i.e. Eggs- Larva -Pupa - Adult)

* Respiratory organ: Tracheal system. Reason: It possesses spiracles on the abdomen.

*Diagram: See page 10

*SPECIMEN M- BUTTERFLY (FRESHLY OBTAINED)

*Observable features/ reasons for identification

i. Two pairs of wings (fore and hind wings)

ii. A pair of clubbed antenna

iii. A long coiled proboscis

iv. Three pairs of walking legs/ jointed appendages

v. Three body divisions: Head, thorax and abdomen

vi. Chitinous exoskeleton

vii. A pair of compound eyes

*ADAPTIVE FEATURES OR FEATURES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

i. Two pairs of pigmented/colourful wings (fore and hind)

ii. Three pairs of walking legs for movement

iii. A long coiled proboscis for feeding

iv. A pair of compound eyes for wider vision

v. A pair of clubbed antennae for sensitivity

vi. Chitionus exoskeleton made of chitin for protection

*PRESENT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: ADULT

*YOUNG STAGE: Caterpillar

*ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BUTTERFLY

i. Agent of pollination of flowers

ii. Colourful markings is used for clothes design in textile industries

iii. Vector of crop diseases

iv. Serve as indicators of healthy environment and ecosystem

*HABITATS: Lowland forests, Sand dunes, wet lands, salt marshes, Mangroves

*TYPE OF METAMORPHOSIS: Complete

*RESPIRATORY ORGAN: Tracheal system

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 *TROPHIC LEVEL: Second trophic level i.e. it is a primary consumer

*NB: All insects undergo Ecdysis. Ecdysis is the periodic shedding (moulting) of cuticle in insects and other
arthropods

*CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MOUTH PARTS/ FEEDING HABITS: Piercing and Sucking

*REASONS: Presence of long coiled proboscis for piercing and sucking

*PHYLUM: Arthropoda- REASONS- See it on adult mosquito (specimen L)

*CLASS- Insecta- REASONS: See it on adult mosquito (specimen L)

*ORDER: Lepidoptera*GENUS: Danaus *SPECIES: plexippus

*Diagram: See page 10

*SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ADULT MOSQUITO AND BUTTERFLY

i. Presence of a pair of compound eyes

ii. Three body divisions: Head, thorax and abdomen

iii. Three pairs of/ six walking legs

iv. Exoskeleton made of chitin

v. Segmented body

vi. Presence of a pair of antennae

vii. Presence of long proboscis

*DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPECIMEN L (ADULT MOSQUITO) AND M (BUTTERFLY)

SPECIMEN L(ADULT MOSQUITO) SPECIMEN M(BUTTERFLY)

i. A pair of wings Two pairs of wings(fore and hind)
ii. Antenna not clubbed but tapering Clubbed antenna
iii. Smooth abdomen Hairy abdomen
iv. Wings have uniform colour(grey) wings are pigmented/colourful
v. smaller in size Larger in size
vi. Surface of wings are powdery and have Surface of wings are not powdery and have no scales/ eyespot
scales/eye spot

*SPECCIMEN N- SUGAR ANT (FRESHLY OBTAINED)

OBSERVABLE FEATURES/REASONS FOR IDENTIFICATION

i. Three body divisions: head, thorax and abdomen

ii. Three pairs of walking legs/ six walking legs

iii. A pair of antenna

iv. Exoskeleton made of chitin/chitinous exoskeleton

v. Absence of wings

vi. A pair of compound eyes

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*ADAPTIVE FEATURES /FEATURES OF BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE:

Attach functions to the observable features: see it on specimen L and M

*BEHAVIOURAL ADAPTATIONS OF SUGAR ANT

i. Communication by sense of smell (sweet/chemical substance)

ii. Communication by touch (tactile): members of the colony touch one another as a means of recognising
members of the same colony

iii. They live together in colonies

iv. It reproduces many to ensure continuity

*ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SUGAR ANT

i. loosens and aerates the soil

ii. Source of food to other animals

iii. Act as decomposers by feeding on organic matter/wastes

iv. Spoil food/destroy food

*HABITAT: Nests, in the ground, under the rock, inside holes, under logs.

*CLASSIFICATION OF SUGAR ANT BASED ON MOOUTH PART/STRUCTURE FOR DEFENCE

BITING AND CHEWING: REASONS- Has strong mandible and maxillae

*STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: Adult

*TYPE OF METAMORPHOSIS: Incomplete (eggs-pupa/Nymph-Adult)

CONTROL OF SUGAR ANT: i. Use of insecticides

ii. Use of pesticides, and

iii. Introduction of biological enemies like birds

*RESPIRATORY ORGAN: Tracheal system

*CLASSIFICATION: Phylum- Arthropoda (see reasons on adult mosquito)

Class- Insecta (see reasons on adult mosquito)

DIAGRAM: See page 10

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SPECIMEN L (ADULT MOSQUITO), M (BUTTERFLY) AND N (SUGAR ANT). BOTH
HAVE:

I. A pair of compound eyes

II. Three body divisions; head, thorax and abdomen
III. Three pairs of/ six walking legs
IV. Exoskeleton made of chitin
V. Segmented body
VI. A pair of antennae

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 *DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SP L (ADULT MOSQUITO), M (BUTTERFLY), AND N (SUGAR ANT)

SPECIMEN L (ADULT MOSQUITO) SPECIMEN M (BUTTERFLY) SPECIMEN N (SUGAR ANT)

i. Two pairs of wings One pair of wing Absence of wings
ii. Small in size Bigger in size big in size
iii. Presence of proboscis Presence of proboscis Presence of mandibles
iv. Smooth abdomen Hairy abdomen Smooth abdomen
v. Antennae not clubbed but tapering Clubbed antenna Antennae not clubbed but tapering