Biology Exam Questions For SS3 First Term

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will cover Biology exam questions for SS 3 first term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass Biology examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions.

Introduction to Biology

Biology is the key to understanding life itself. It is the study of plants, animals, and humans—their structure, functions, and interactions. As a subject, Biology opens your eyes to the beauty and complexity of the world around you. It teaches you about the cells that make up your body, the ecosystems that sustain life, and the processes that keep everything in balance. Whether you dream of becoming a doctor, a researcher, or someone who simply loves nature, Biology is the first step in unlocking those possibilities.

Biology Exam Questions for SS3 First Term

Biology Exam Questions for SS3 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to answer only five (5) questions out of seven (7).

SECTION A: OBJECTIVE TEST

1. In the binomial system of naming organisms, the second name is called the
A. scientific name
B. common name
C. generic name
D. specific name

2. Which of the following features does not necessarily make paramecium a higher level of organization than Amoeba?
A. Presence of cilia
B. Absence of pseudopodia
C. Presence of micro and mega nuclei
D. Presence of more than one food vacuole

3. The living materials of the cell consist of
A. nucleus and cytoplasm
B. cytoplasm and vacuole
C. cytoplasm and cell membrane
D. nucleus and cell membrane

4. The wilting of the plant is due to the fact that
A. the root hair die off and can no longer absorb water
B. the salt solution causes a faster rate of transpiration leading to the death of the plant cell
C. the salt solution has caused water to be lost from the plant cell leading to loss of turgor
D. the plant tissue has been poisoned by the salt which is absorbed by the plant

5. A pupil accidentally “watered” a potted plant with a concentrated salt solution. After some time the plant began to wilt. Which of the following activities would revive the plant?
A. Covering the plant with dark paper to prevent further water loss from its surfaces
B. Leaving the plant to adapt to the condition
C. Exposing the plant to a higher concentration of oxygen
D. Adding more water to the soil

6. Primary growth in plants is brought about by the activity of the
A. meristem      B. endodermis
C. epidermis     D. mesophyll

Study the diagram below and use it to answer questions 7 and 8

7. To form a ball and socket joint, the structure labeled I fits into another structure in the scapula called the
A. blade
B. glenoid cavity
C. olecranon fossa
D. patella

8. The structure labeled II is called
A. deltoid ridge
B. trochanter
C. shaft
D. trochlea

9. Which of the following parts of the skeleton does not have a protective function?
A. Ribs       B. Carpals
C. Skull       D. Pelvis

10. Carbon dioxide is carried in the plasma?
A. in combination with hemoglobin
B. in combination with antibodies
C. by capillary action
D. as bicarbonate ion

11. In the adult frog, gaseous exchange takes place in the
A. buccal cavity, skin, and lungs
B. buccal cavity, skin, and spiracles
C. gills, skin, and buccal cavity
D. tympanic membrane, lungs, and gills

12. The process of regulating the amount of water and solutes in the body fluids is called
A. osmosis
B. diffusion
C. osmoregulation
D. homeostasis

13. The presence of glucose in the urine of a patient is an indication of malfunctioning of the
A. pancreas      B. gall bladder
C. liver              D. spleen

14. Which of the following statements is not true about hormones?
A. Hormones are manufactured in ductless glands and poured straight into the bloodstream
B. Hormones are carried by the blood plasma to the required Target organs
C. Hormonal responses are usually instant and electrical
D. Once the effects of hormones are over, they are inactivated and excreted from the body

15. Which of the following actions is not a function of adrenaline? It Increases
A. body blood sugar by conversion of liver glycogen into glucose
B. muscular power and resistance to fatigue
C. the rate of heat
D. the dilation of the pupils of the eye

16. Plant hormones include the following except
A. insulin         B. auxin
C. cytokinin     D. gibberellin

17. The passage of nerve impulses across a synapse is facilitated by the secretion of
A. acetylcholine
B. thyroxin
C. insulin
D. progesterone

18. The part of the brain that controls and coordinates body posture is the
A. cerebellum
B. hypothalamus
C. medulla oblongata
D. pons varolil

19. Which of the following processes is not an example of a reflex action?
A. Blinking of the eye
B. Reading
C. Beating of the heart
D. Sneezing

20. The eyes can properly focus images of objects of various distances on the retina by a process called
A. refraction
B. reflection
C. accommodation
D. correction

21. Which of the following sensations may not be detected by the Skin
A. touch     B. pressure
C. stress     D. pain

22. The process by which flowers produce fruit without the process of fertilization is called
A. viviparity
B. parthenocarpy
C. propagation
D. metamorphosis

23. The part of the young root that pushes its way through the soil is the
A. root hair
B. tap root
C. root cap
D. lateral root

24. An example of a dehiscent fruit is
A. crotalaria     B. tomato
C. mango        D. orange

25. Which of the following food substances gives the least amount of calories?
A. Rice          B. Groundnuts
C. cabbage   D. Egg yolk

26. Analysis of the gut content of an animal showed that it contained small pieces of bone, seeds, roughage, and insects. The animal is likely to be a/an
A. carnivore        B. herbivore
C. insectivore      D. omnivore

27. Filaments of Spirogyra placed in a beaker of water in a dark cupboard died because
A. the filaments could not photosynthesize
B. conjugation could not take place
C. the temperature was too high
D. the plant was overflooded

28. The importance of the concentration of chloroplast in the palisade layer of the leaf is for maximum exposure to
A. carbon dioxide
B. light
C. water
D. oxygen

29. A community is best described as
A. living things in a habitat interacting with the non-living part of the environment
B. the total number of individuals of one species of organisms living in a particular habitat
C. populations of different species living together and interacting with each other in one habitat
D. the individuals of a particular group living together in an area and sharing the same resources

30. Which of the following physical actors is likely to affect the distribution of plants in a pond?
A. light         B. Humid
C. Wind        D. Temperature

31. Which of the following instruments is used to measure wind speed?
A. Thermometer    B. Barometer
C. Hygrometer       D. Anemometer

Study the food web below carefully and use it to answer questions 32 and 33

Grasshopper, Snail, Lizard, Grass, Man, Lion, Rabbit

32. Tertiary consumers within the web are
A. cat and lion only
B. Man and lion only
C. mán and cat only
D. man, cat, and lion

33. What would be the effect of taking the lion out of the web?
A. The number of organisms at each trophic level would increase
B. Man would occupy the apex of the web
C. There would be more rabbits on the web
D. The energy reaching the remaining trophic would be increased

34. Which of the following statements about the transfer of energy in the ecosystem is correct?
A. energy increases at high trophic levels
B. More organisms can be supported at higher levels
C. There are fewer organisms at top tropic levels
D. Energy is lost at each trophic level

35. Pond weeds normally lack thick layers of cuticle because
A. their system of photosynthesis is not efficient
B. there is no danger of becoming desiccated
C. their leaves are either dissected or bone-shaped
D. there are numerous stomata on their upper epidermis

36. Shrubs do not survive on newly-weathered soils because
A. the topsoil is shallow
B. drainage on such soil is poor
C. humus is absent from the soil
D. the soil tends to be sandy

37. The speed of the flow of water in a river is faster in the middle than along the banks due to
A. differences in turbidity at different parts of the river
B. the abundance of fishes and other organisms along the bank
C. reduced force of gravity in the middle portion of the river
D. resistance offered by the wall of the banks.

38. The effects of environmental degradation caused by human activities can be controlled by the following measures except
A. reclaiming the land
B. converting mining pits into fish ponds
C. resettling indigenous inhabitants
D. educating people

39. The following observations concerning succession are true except that the
A. pioneer community has fewer species
B. middle stages communities are the most diverse
C. max community has the greatest number of species
D. total biomass of the community increases as succession progresses

40. A vaccine is introduced into a person’s body to
A. destroy all disease-causing organisms in the body
B. stimulate the body to produce antibodies
C. enhance the production of red blood cells
D. isolate disease-causing pathogens from the blood

41. Which of the following activities constitutes biological control?
A. A small bony fish transported on the back of a shark
B. Adding manure to crops in a garden
C. Tilapia feeding on the larvae and pupae of mosquito
D. A vulture feeding on the carcass of a goat

42. Many diseases caused by bacteria can be treated and cured by using
A. antiseptics     B. antibiotics
C. antigens        D. antibodies

43. To avoid over-fishing in a lake, the following measures may be helpful except
A. limiting fishing periods
B. regulating the size of nets
C. fishing throughout the year
D. fish breeding exercise

44. Conservation may be promoted by
A. encouraging tree planting
B. systematic deforestation
C. overgrazing of pastures
D. unabated bush timing

45. Which of the following substances is not recycled in an ecosystem?
A. Carbon       B. Energy
C. Water         D. Nitrogen

46. Which of the following statements about phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is not correct?
A. Some people BHG the taste of PTC to be bitter
B. Others find this substance to be tasteless
C. Ability to taste this chemical is inheritable
D. Ability to taste the chemical is not inheritable

47. Which of the following characters is not an example of discontinuous variation?
A. Skin color
B. Fingerprint
C. Ability to roll tongue
D. Sex type

48. Which of the following human traits in a class of school children may give an approximate normal distribution curve when the variation is plotted?
A. Blood groups
B. Ear shapes
C. Sex distribution
D. Heights

49. The observable characteristics of an individual usually resulting from the interaction between the gene composition and the environment are referred to as
A. allele             B. genotype
C. phenotype    D. chromosome

50. The sudden change in a gene structure or chromosome number in an organism likely to cause an inheritable change in the phenotype is known as
A. migration      B. mutation
C. mitosis           D. meiosis

51. The effective cells involved in sickle-cell anemia disease are
A. phagocytes      B. lymphocytes
C. erythrocytes     D. thrombocytes

52. What does the chemical composition of the genetic material of all living organisms consist of?
A. Deoxyribonucleic acid
B. Adenosine diphosphate
C. Adenosine triphosphate
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone

53. Which of the following occurrences is not a feature of meiosis?
A. Formation of four haploid cells
B. Two successive nuclear cell division
C. Pairing of homologous chromosomes at prophase
D. Formation of two diploid cell

54. Which of the following diseases is commonly observed in human males and is sex-linked?
A. Beriberi
B. Down’s syndrome
C. Sickle-cell anaemia
D. colour blindness

55. The resemblance of a palatable insect to a poisonous insect is an example of
A. a chemical deterrent to a predator
B. an escape from the predator camouflage
C. an escape from the predator by mimicry
D. a defense against the predator by warming coloration

56. If red is dominant to white and homozygous red pea-plants are crossed with homozygous white pea-plants, the first filial generation will have
A. red flowers, 2 white flowers
B. 4 red flowers
C. white flowers
D. 4 pink flowers

57. Which of the following statements is not true of the worker termite? They
A. Build and repair the nest
B. produce enzymes to digest cellulose
C. search for food to feed the colony
D. look after the nymph

58. Which of the following occurrences cannot be taken as a direct observation of natural selection in recent times?
A. Industrial melanism in moths
B. Selective breeding in cattle
C. Insecticide resistance of some mosquitoes
D. Development of long necks in giraffes

59. The accepted concepts for the theory of Natural Selection do not include
A. tendency for organisms to overproduce
B. struggle for existence
C. survival of the fittest
D. use and disuse of body parts

60. The order of evolution trend in plants is
A. Bryophyta, Thallophyta, Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta
B. Thallophyta Bryophyta Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta
C. Spermatophyta, pteridophyta, Bryophyta and Thallophyta
D. Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Spermatophyta and Thallophyta

SECTION B: (Theory)

Instruction: Answer only 3 questions in this section.

1. a. Describe how the mammalian skin can serve as a thermal regulator in a hot room.
b. Explain briefly the functions of the  liver in relation to (i) carbohydrates (ii) proteins (iii) toxic substances (iv) temperature regulation
c. Make a well-labeled diagram of the mammalian skin (10-12cm long)

2. a. State two functions of each of the following structures: (i) hypothalamus (ii) cerebrum (iii) cerebellum.
b. Make a labeled diagram of a rabbit brain (10- 12cm long)
c. Mention two elements that are involved in the transmission of impulse along a neuron
d. State 2 differences between reflex and voluntary actions

3. a. In tabular form, state two differences between hormonal coordination and nervous coordination.
b. Name two hormones each involved in plant growth and animal growth, and state one of their effects on the organisms.
c. Describe the process of osmoregulation in man.
d. Make a labeled Diagram of a neuron between (10-12cm long).

4. a. Explain how the mammalian body regulates its blood sugar.
b. Draw a diagram to show the location of the following glands: adrenal gland, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and ovary.
c. Describe what happens when a student accidentally steps on the edge of an office pin and quickly raises his leg.

5. a. Make a labeled diagram of the mammalian eye (10- 12cm) long.
b. State two eye defects and their corrections.
c. Define sense organ.
d. Explain why a person in a dark room is dazzled for some seconds when exposed to bright sunlight

Answers to Biology Exam Questions for SS3 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Biology exam questions for SS3 first term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

Question 1

1. a. Thermal Regulation by Mammalian Skin in a Hot Room

• The skin cools the body by sweating, where sweat evaporates, taking heat away.
• Vasodilation occurs, causing blood vessels near the skin to widen, increasing heat loss.
• Reduction in body hair stands flat to minimize insulation.

1. b. Functions of the Liver

1. Carbohydrates: Stores glucose as glycogen and releases it as needed to regulate blood sugar levels.
2. Proteins: Deaminates amino acids, producing urea as a waste product.
3. Toxic Substances: Detoxifies harmful substances like alcohol and drugs.
4. Temperature Regulation: Generates heat during metabolic activities, helping maintain body temperature.

1. c. Diagram of the Mammalian Skin

• Instruction: Use labeled parts like epidermis, dermis, sweat glands, blood vessels, hair follicles, and fat layer. Keep the diagram proportionate to the required dimensions.

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Question 2

2. a. Functions of Brain Structures

1. Hypothalamus: Regulates body temperature; controls hunger and thirst.
2. Cerebrum: Manages voluntary actions; processes sensory information.
3. Cerebellum: Maintains balance; coordinates muscle movements.

2. b. Diagram of Rabbit Brain

• Instruction: Include labels such as cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord.

2. c. Elements in Neuron Impulse Transmission

• Sodium (Na⁺) and Potassium (K⁺) ions.

2. d. Differences Between Reflex and Voluntary Actions

Reflex Action	Voluntary Action
Automatic and fast response	Controlled consciously
Involves the spinal cord or brainstem	Involves the cerebrum

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Question 3

3. a. Differences Between Hormonal and Nervous Coordination

Hormonal Coordination	Nervous Coordination
Slow and long-lasting	Fast and short-lived
Transmitted through the bloodstream	Transmitted through nerves

3. b. Hormones in Growth

1. Plant Hormones:
   • Auxin: Stimulates stem elongation.
   • Cytokinin: Promotes cell division.
2. Animal Hormones:
   • Growth Hormone: Stimulates body growth.
   • Thyroxine: Regulates metabolism and growth.

3. c. Osmoregulation in Man

• Kidneys regulate water and salts by filtering blood and producing urine.
• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) adjusts water reabsorption in kidney tubules based on hydration levels.

3. d. Diagram of a Neuron

• Instruction: Include dendrites, axons, cell body, and synaptic terminals.

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Question 4

4. a. Blood Sugar Regulation

• High Sugar: Insulin from the pancreas converts glucose to glycogen.
• Low Sugar: Glucagon converts glycogen to glucose.

4. b. Diagram of Glands

• Include adrenal, thyroid, pituitary glands, and ovary with accurate placement.

4. c. Reflex Action When Stepping on a Pin

• The pain is detected by sensory neurons and relayed to the spinal cord.
• The spinal cord sends an immediate signal via motor neurons to lift the leg.

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Question 5

5. a. Diagram of Mammalian Eye

• Instruction: Include lens, retina, iris, cornea, and optic nerve.

5. b. Eye Defects and Corrections

1. Myopia: Corrected with concave lenses.
2. Hyperopia: Corrected with convex lenses.

5. c. Sense Organ

• A structure that detects and responds to stimuli from the environment.

5. d. Dazzling Effect from Dark Room to Sunlight

• Pupil reflex adjusts by constricting to reduce light entering the eye. The delay in adjustment causes momentary dazzling.

How to Pass Biology Exam Questions for SS3 First Term

Here are some simple but powerful tips to help you pass your Biology exam questions for SS3 first term:

1. Understand the Syllabus

Start by knowing what topics are included in your SS3 First Term Biology syllabus. This would help you to focus on the most important areas. Don’t neglect or downplay any topic, no matter how small it may seem.

2. Master Key Concepts

Biology is all about understanding concepts, not just memorizing facts. Make sure you understand core ideas like cell structure, classification of organisms, photosynthesis, respiration, and reproduction. Once you have the foundation, every other thing will fall into place.

3. Practice with Past Questions

Practice is essential. Go through Biology past exam questions and understand how they are framed. This would help you to get used to the style of questions and improve your ability to answer them quickly and accurately.

4. Use Diagrams Effectively

Many Biology questions ask for diagrams, so practice drawing clear, labeled diagrams. A well-drawn diagram can earn you easy marks and make your answers stand out.

5. Use Study Groups

Study with your classmates and discuss difficult topics together. Teaching each other is one of the best ways to reinforce your understanding and remember key points.

6. Memorize Important Terms

There are terms in Biology that you must memorize. Terms like “osmosis,” “mitosis,” “enzymes,” etc., are fundamental. Create flashcards to help you remember them quickly.

7. Read the Questions Carefully

When you face the exam, don’t rush since there is no special prize for the first to finish. Take your time to read each question carefully and understand what it’s asking before answering. Sometimes, the wordings of the questions determine how you are expected to frame your answers.

8. Time Management

Divide your time wisely during the exam. Don’t spend too long on one question. If you’re stuck, move on to the next question and come back later.

9. Write Neatly and Organize Your Answers

Always aim for clarity in your writing. Organize your answers in bullet points or short paragraphs. When you write neatly and clearly, the examiner can follow your reasoning, and you get higher marks.

10. Stay Calm and Confident

Lastly, be confident. You’ve studied, practiced, and prepared. When you go into the exam hall, stay calm and approach each question with the knowledge that you’ve got this.

Best wishes from yours sincerely, Henry Divine.