Biology Paper 2, WASSCE (PC), 2022

Question 1

 

(a)        Complete the table below by stating the conditions and methods of reproduction
of the organisms in the table.


organism

Condition for reproduction

Method of reproduction

Bacterium

 

 

Virus

 

 

Fungus

 

 

Moss

 

 

Plant

 

 

                                                                                                                        [10 marks]

(b)        (i)         What is transpiration in plants?
[2 marks]
(ii)        State three environmental factors that may affect the rate of transpiration
in plants.
[3 marks]
(iii)       Explain briefly the role of stomata in transpiration.
[3 marks]
(iv)       State two ways by which transpiration is importance to plants.
[2 marks]

 

Observation

Some candidates that attempted this question performed well in providing the condition for reproduction in fungi and moss, while most of them could not give the condition for reproduction in bacteria.
Some candidates could not state the correct environmental factors that affect the rate of transpiration in plants.
Candidates failed to state the opening and closing of stomata and the effects on plants.
The expected answers are:

  1. (a) Table

 

Organism

Condition for reproduction

Method of reproduction

Bacterium

Suitable temperature; availability of nutrients

Binary fission/fission/asexual reproduction

Virus            

A living host/cell

Replication

Fungus

Moist/damp/substrate/suitable temperature

Asexual reproduction/spore formation/sporulation/budding

Sexual/conjugation/oidia formation/zomatogamy

Moss

Presence of water/ moisture

Asexual

Plant

Sunlight, water moisture, nutrients

Asexual/vegetative

10x1[10 marks]

(b) (i)   Transpiration
This is the process by which water is lost as vapour; from the leaves/plant /stomata/lenticel.
2x1[2 marks]

          (ii)   Environmental Factors that Affect the Rate of Transpiration
- light intensity;
- humidity;
- air movements/wind;
- temperature.
Any 3x1[3marks]
(iii)  The Role of Stomata in Transpiration
Stomata close up to reduce the rate of water loss in a leaf; open up to increase the rate of
water loss.
2x1[2 marks]
(iv)  Importance of Transpiration
- it gives a cooling effect to the leaf/plants when it is exposed to sunlight;
- a water flow may be needed to obtain mineral salts;
- maintains transpiration pull;
- it removes excess water from the plant.