10 questions from the JAMB 2012 Biology paper, with answers and explanations. Tap "Show answer" under each one when you are ready.
JAMB 2012Question 1 · Agricultural Science and Basic Biology
An indigenous method of renewing and maintaining soil fertility is by
A.clearing farms by burning
B.planting one crop type
C.adding inorganic fertilizers yearly
D.crop rotation and shifting cultivation
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Answer: D. crop rotation and shifting cultivation
Crop rotation and shifting cultivation are traditional (indigenous) methods used to renew and maintain soil fertility.
JAMB 2012Question 2 · Ecology and Environment
An arthropod that is destructive at early stage of its life cycle is
A.butterfly
B.mosquito
C.bee
D.millepede
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Answer: A. butterfly
Butterfly larvae (caterpillars) are highly destructive to crops/vegetation, unlike the relatively harmless adult butterfly.
JAMB 2012Question 3 · Ecology and Environment
The water cycle is maintained mainly by
A.evaporation of water in the environment
B.evaporation and condensation of water in the environment
C.condensation of water in the environment
D.transpiration and respiration in plants
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Answer: B. evaporation and condensation of water in the environment
The water cycle is maintained mainly by the continuous evaporation and condensation of water in the environment.
JAMB 2012Question 4 · Ecology and Environment
The most likely first colonizers of a bare rock are
A.mosses
B.ferns
C.lichen
D.fungi
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Answer: C. lichen
Lichens are typically the first colonizers of bare rock, initiating soil formation through ecological succession.
JAMB 2012Question 5 · Ecology and Environment
The basking of Agama lizards in the sun is to
A.change the colour of their body
B.raise their body temperature to become active
C.fight to defend their territories
D.attract the female for courtship
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Answer: B. raise their body temperature to become active
Agama lizards (ectotherms) bask in the sun to raise their body temperature and become physically active.
JAMB 2012Question 6 · Genetics and Evolution
Which of the following is true in blood transfusion?
A.person of blood group AB can donate blood only to another person of blood group AB
B.persons of blood groups A and B can donate or receive blood from each other
C.A person of blood group AB acn receive blood only from persons of blood group A or B
D.A person of blood group O can donate only to a person of blood group O
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Answer: A. person of blood group AB can donate blood only to another person of blood group AB
Blood group AB (having both A and B antigens) can only safely donate blood to other AB individuals, since A, B and O recipients carry antibodies that would react with one or both antigens.
JAMB 2012Question 7 · Genetics and Evolution
The use and disuse of body parts and the inheritance of acquired traits were used to explain
A.Darwin's theory
B.Lamarck's theory
C.genetic drift
D.gene flow
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Answer: B. Lamarck's theory
Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that body parts develop through use (or atrophy through disuse), with these acquired traits being inherited by offspring.
JAMB 2012Question 8 · Mammalian Physiology and Anatomy
The autonomic nervous system consists of neurons that control the
A.voluntary muscles
B.heart beat
C.tongue
D.hands
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Answer: B. heart beat
The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat, unlike the voluntary muscles controlled by the somatic nervous system.
JAMB 2012Question 9 · Plant Biology
Which of the following plant structures lacks a waterproof cuticle?
A.leaf
B.stem
C.root
D.shoot
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Answer: C. root
Roots lack a waterproof cuticle, since they need to absorb water and minerals from the soil.
JAMB 2012Question 10 · Plant Biology
An example of a fruit that develops from a single carpel is
A.okro
B.tomato
C.bean
D.orange
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Answer: C. bean
A bean pod develops from a single carpel (monocarpellary fruit).
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