2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

PAPER 1

Objective Test (Questions 1–60)

Instructions: Answer all questions. Choose the option that best answers each question.

1.

The basic unit of life is the

A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Cell
D. System

Answer: C

2.

Which of the following is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?

A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Chloroplast
D. Cell membrane

Answer: C

3.

The movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane is called

A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Translocation

Answer: B

4.

The powerhouse of the cell is the

A. Ribosome
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Vacuole

Answer: C

5.

The control center of the cell is the

A. Nucleus
B. Cytoplasm
C. Cell wall
D. Lysosome

Answer: A

6.

Amoeba reproduces asexually by

A. Budding
B. Fragmentation
C. Binary fission
D. Pollination

Answer: C

7.

Which process requires energy?

A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Filtration

Answer: C

8.

The outermost covering of a plant cell is

A. Membrane
B. Cell wall
C. Cytoplasm
D. Vacuole

Answer: B

9.

The fluid component of the cell is

A. Cytoplasm
B. Cell wall
C. Nucleus
D. Chromosome

Answer: A

10.

The green pigment used in photosynthesis is

A. Xanthophyll
B. Chlorophyll
C. Carotene
D. Haemoglobin

Answer: B

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

11.

Photosynthesis occurs mainly in the

A. Root
B. Stem
C. Leaf
D. Flower

Answer: C

12.

The gas released during photosynthesis is

A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Hydrogen

Answer: B

13.

Protein digestion begins in the

A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Ileum
D. Colon

Answer: B

14.

The enzyme that converts starch to maltose is

A. Pepsin
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Trypsin

Answer: C

15.

A balanced diet must contain

A. Carbohydrates only
B. Proteins only
C. All food nutrients in correct proportions
D. Vitamins only

Answer: C

16.

Kwashiorkor is caused by deficiency of

A. Vitamins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Proteins
D. Minerals

Answer: C

17.

Rickets results from deficiency of

A. Vitamin D
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin B

Answer: A

18.

The end product of protein digestion is

A. Fatty acids
B. Glucose
C. Amino acids
D. Maltose

Answer: C

19.

The main product of photosynthesis is

A. Protein
B. Glucose
C. Water
D. Oxygen

Answer: B

20.

The process by which green plants manufacture food is

A. Respiration
B. Excretion
C. Photosynthesis
D. Transpiration

Answer: C

21.

The liquid part of blood is

A. Platelets
B. Plasma
C. Red blood cells
D. White blood cells

Answer: B

22.

Blood group AB is called

A. Universal donor
B. Universal recipient
C. Rare blood group
D. O group

Answer: B

23.

The blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart is

A. Vein
B. Artery
C. Capillary
D. Venule

Answer: B

24.

Transpiration takes place mainly through

A. Lenticels
B. Stomata
C. Roots
D. Flowers

Answer: B

25.

The pigment responsible for oxygen transport in blood is

A. Melanin
B. Chlorophyll
C. Haemoglobin
D. Carotene

Answer: C

26.

The largest chamber of the human heart is the

A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Left ventricle
D. Right ventricle

Answer: C

27.

The tissue responsible for food transport in plants is

A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Cortex
D. Epidermis

Answer: B

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

28.

The tissue responsible for water transport is

A. Phloem
B. Cortex
C. Xylem
D. Cambium

Answer: C

29.

Blood clotting is aided by

A. Plasma
B. Platelets
C. Lymphocytes
D. Haemoglobin

Answer: B

30.

The process of loss of water vapour from leaves is

A. Diffusion
B. Translocation
C. Transpiration
D. Osmosis

Answer: C

31.

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the

A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Diaphragm

Answer: C

32.

The waste product removed by the kidney is

A. Glucose
B. Urea
C. Glycogen
D. Oxygen

Answer: B

33.

Aerobic respiration requires

A. Water
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Nitrogen

Answer: B

34.

The functional unit of the kidney is

A. Nephron
B. Ureter
C. Bladder
D. Cortex

Answer: A

35.

The organ responsible for gaseous exchange in fish is

A. Skin
B. Gills
C. Lungs
D. Trachea

Answer: B

36.

Fertilization is the fusion of

A. Chromosomes
B. Cells
C. Gametes
D. Tissues

Answer: C

37.

The male reproductive cell is

A. Ovum
B. Zygote
C. Sperm cell
D. Embryo

Answer: C

38.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from

A. Ovary to stigma
B. Anther to stigma
C. Ovule to stigma
D. Anther to ovary

Answer: B

39.

The fusion of male and female gametes produces

A. Embryo
B. Zygote
C. Foetus
D. Seed

Answer: B

40.

The organ that produces sperm cells is

A. Penis
B. Testis
C. Prostate gland
D. Epididymis

Answer: B

41.

Green plants in a food chain are

A. Consumers
B. Producers
C. Decomposers
D. Scavengers

Answer: B

42.

The relationship between algae and fungi in lichen is

A. Parasitism
B. Mutualism
C. Predation
D. Competition

Answer: B

43.

Organisms that break down dead organic matter are

A. Consumers
B. Producers
C. Decomposers
D. Parasites

Answer: C

44.

The place where an organism lives is called

A. Niche
B. Habitat
C. Community
D. Ecosystem

Answer: B

45.

A group of organisms of the same species living together forms a

A. Habitat
B. Population
C. Ecosystem
D. Community

Answer: B

46.

The ultimate source of energy in an ecosystem is

A. Water
B. Wind
C. Sun
D. Soil

Answer: C

47.

The first trophic level consists of

A. Consumers
B. Carnivores
C. Producers
D. Decomposers

Answer: C

48.

Nitrogen fixation is mainly carried out by

A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Algae
D. Protozoa

Answer: B

49.

The feeding relationship among organisms is represented by a

A. Habitat
B. Food chain
C. Succession
D. Ecosystem

Answer: B

50.

An organism that feeds on both plants and animals is

A. Herbivore
B. Carnivore
C. Omnivore
D. Parasite

Answer: C

51.

The unit of heredity is

A. Gene
B. Chromosome
C. Cell
D. Nucleus

Answer: A

52.

Gregor Mendel is known as the father of

A. Ecology
B. Evolution
C. Genetics
D. Cytology

Answer: C

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

53.

A cross involving one pair of contrasting characters is

A. Dihybrid cross
B. Monohybrid cross
C. Test cross
D. Back cross

Answer: B

54.

The sex chromosomes in a human male are

A. XX
B. YY
C. XY
D. XO

Answer: C

55.

Variation among organisms is important because it

A. Causes extinction only
B. Increases competition only
C. Enhances survival and adaptation
D. Prevents reproduction

Answer: C

56.

Evolution is best described as

A. Sudden creation
B. Gradual change in organisms over time
C. Reproduction only
D. Growth only

Answer: B

57.

The blood group known as universal donor is

A. A
B. B
C. AB
D. O

Answer: D

58.

Colour blindness is an example of

A. Sex-linked inheritance
B. Mutation only
C. Dominance only
D. Evolution

Answer: A

59.

The process by which advantageous traits are preserved is

A. Mutation
B. Natural selection
C. Fertilization
D. Variation

Answer: B

60.

The thread-like structures that carry genes are

A. Nuclei
B. Chromosomes
C. Ribosomes
D. Vacuoles

Answer: B

PAPER 2

ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1

Explain the structure and functions of the cell and distinguish between plant and animal cells.

Answer

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are made up of cells. Cells perform essential activities such as nutrition, respiration, excretion, growth and reproduction.

Structure and Functions

Cell Membrane

• Controls movement of substances into and out of the cell.
• Maintains cell integrity.

Cytoplasm

• Contains organelles.
• Site of metabolic activities.

Nucleus

• Controls all cell activities.
• Contains hereditary materials (DNA).

Mitochondria

• Site of aerobic respiration.
• Produces energy (ATP).

Ribosomes

• Site of protein synthesis.

Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Cell biology, diffusion, osmosis and active transport remain major areas in the WAEC Biology syllabus.

Question 2

Describe the process of photosynthesis and explain factors affecting it.

Answer

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants manufacture food using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

6CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2+6H_2O\rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_26CO2​+6H2​O→C6​H12​O6​+6O2​

Importance

1. Produces food for plants.
2. Releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
3. Forms the basis of food chains.
4. Maintains atmospheric balance.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Light Intensity

Low light reduces photosynthetic rate.

Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Increased CO₂ increases photosynthesis up to a limit.

Temperature

Enzymes function best within optimum temperatures.

Chlorophyll Content

Plants lacking chlorophyll cannot photosynthesize effectively.

Photosynthesis is one of the core nutrition topics emphasized in the WAEC Biology syllabus.

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

Question 3

Explain the human circulatory system and state its importance.

Answer

The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood and blood vessels.

Components

Heart

A muscular organ responsible for pumping blood.

Blood

Red Blood Cells

• Transport oxygen.

White Blood Cells

• Fight infections.

Platelets

• Aid blood clotting.

Plasma

• Transports nutrients and hormones.

Blood Vessels

Arteries

• Carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

• Return blood to the heart.

Capillaries

• Allow exchange of materials.

Importance

1. Transportation of nutrients.
2. Distribution of oxygen.
3. Removal of waste products.
4. Temperature regulation.
5. Immunity and defense.

Transport systems in animals are consistently listed among key WAEC Biology focus areas.

Question 4

Discuss ecological relationships and explain energy flow in an ecosystem.

Answer

Ecology deals with interactions between organisms and their environment.

Ecological Relationships

Mutualism

Both organisms benefit.

Example: Lichen.

Parasitism

One organism benefits while the other is harmed.

Example: Tapeworm in humans.

Commensalism

One benefits while the other is unaffected.

Predation

One organism feeds on another.

Energy Flow

Energy originates from the sun.

Sun → Producers → Primary Consumers → Secondary Consumers → Tertiary Consumers

Energy decreases at each trophic level because some is lost as heat.

Importance

1. Maintains ecological balance.
2. Supports food chains and food webs.
3. Ensures survival of species.

Ecology, food chains, food webs and energy flow are major WAEC Biology topics.

Question 5

Explain Mendel’s laws of inheritance and illustrate a monohybrid cross.

Answer

Genetics is the study of heredity and variation.

Mendel’s First Law (Segregation)

Genes occur in pairs and separate during gamete formation.

Mendel’s Second Law (Independent Assortment)

Different pairs of genes assort independently.

Monohybrid Cross

Tall plant (TT) × Dwarf plant (tt)

F₁ Generation:

All offspring = Tt (Tall)

Importance

1. Explains inheritance patterns.
2. Predicts offspring characteristics.
3. Forms the basis of modern genetics.

Genetics, variation and Mendelian inheritance are among the most examined WAEC Biology topics.

Question 6

Describe the human reproductive system and explain fertilization.

Answer

Male Reproductive System

• Testes
• Epididymis
• Sperm duct
• Penis

Female Reproductive System

• Ovary
• Fallopian tube
• Uterus
• Vagina

Fertilization

Fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes.

Process

1. Ovulation occurs.
2. Sperm travels through the female reproductive tract.
3. Fusion of sperm and ovum forms a zygote.
4. The zygote undergoes mitotic division.
5. Implantation occurs in the uterus.

Importance

• Ensures continuation of species.
• Produces genetic variation.

Reproduction and development remain important areas in the WAEC Biology syllabus.

2026 WAEC Biology Objective and Essay Questions and Answers

Question 7

Explain adaptation and evolution with suitable examples.

Answer

Adaptation

Adaptation refers to structural, physiological or behavioural features that enable organisms to survive in their environments.

Examples

Camel

• Hump stores fat.
• Long eyelashes protect against sand.

Fish

• Streamlined body reduces resistance.

Cactus

• Thick stem stores water.
• Spines reduce water loss.

Evolution

Evolution is the gradual change in organisms over generations.

Evidence of Evolution

1. Fossils.
2. Comparative anatomy.
3. Embryology.
4. Vestigial organs.

Natural Selection

Organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Adaptation and evolution are specifically highlighted in the WAEC Biology syllabus.

Question 8

Discuss microorganisms and their importance to man.

Answer

Microorganisms are tiny living organisms that can only be seen with a microscope.

Types

1. Bacteria
2. Viruses
3. Fungi
4. Protozoa
5. Some algae

Beneficial Effects

Agriculture

• Nitrogen fixation.
• Decomposition.

Industry

• Bread production.
• Brewing.
• Yogurt manufacture.

Medicine

• Production of antibiotics and vaccines.

Harmful Effects

1. Cause diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.
2. Spoil food.
3. Damage crops.

Control Measures

1. Sterilization.
2. Vaccination.
3. Good sanitation.
4. Proper food preservation.

Microorganisms, public health and disease control are important WAEC Biology syllabus areas.