Biology Paper 2, WASSCE (SC), 2023

QUESTION 1

  1. What is classification of living things?                                                           [2 marks]
  2. State four ways each by which the following groups of organisms are of economic importance in their habitats:
  3. fungi;
  4. plants.                                                                                                     [8 marks]
  5. Complete the table below by stating five major phyla of the Kingdom Animalia and give one example of each.

Phyla of Kingdom Animalia

Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                        [10 marks]

 

This question was popular among the candidates. Many who attempted the question gave correct answers but few could not define classification of living things except as a means of identification. Few candidates correctly defined it as grouping of living things based on their genetics/structural similarities.

In question 1(b), some candidates were only listing the beneficial importance of fungi but were able to state the economic importance of plants to their habitat.

Many candidates who attempted to list the Phyla of Kingdom Animalia with correct examples gave wrong spellings which led to loss of marks. Some candidates also gave wrong examples for the classes mentioned.

 

 

The expected answers are as follows: 

(a)   Classification of living things
is the grouping/arrangement of organisms; with similar characteristics based on structural/genetic/cellular/evolutionary trends; for easy identification.        

(b) Ways by which the groups of organisms are of economic importance in their habitats

(i) Fungi

  • cause various plants/animal diseases;
  • act as decomposers;
  • recycle nutrients;
  • bring about fermentation in breweries;
  • used in baking industries;
  • serve as sources of food;
  • are used in pharmaceutical industries/production of antibiotics/vitamins;
  • destroy various substances/cloth/paper/wood/food

                                                                                                                                   
(ii)   Plants         

  • are involved in nutrient recycling;
  • purify the environment/reduce greenhouse effects;
  • provide shade/shelter;
  • provide food;
  • provide oxygen;
  • prevent erosion;
  • are sources of timber for building/construction;
  • provide materials for pharmaceuticals/production of drugs.

                                                                                                                                   
(c)  Table of major phyla of the kingdom Animalia and examples

Phyla of Kingdom Animalia

Examples

Porifera

Sponges/Venus flower basket

Cnidaria/Coelenterata

Hydra/Obelia/sea anemone/jelly fish/Aurelia/coral

Platyhelminthes

Liver fluke/tapeworm/Schistosoma/planaria

Nematoda

Wuchereria/whipworm/Ascaris/Guinea worm/hookworm

Annelida

Marine worm/leech/earthworm/lugworm/seaworm/
bobbit worm/fireworm

Mollusca

Snail/bivalve/slug/octopus/clam/oyster/squid

Arthropoda

Scorpion/spider/cockroach/crab/crayfish/grasshopper/centipede/millipede/ant/any other correctly named Arthropod

Echinodermata

Starfish/sea lily/sea urchin/sea cucumber/brittle star/sea star

Chordata

Fish/frog/toad/bird/man/human/cat/lion/tiger/dog/salamander/alligator/snake/giraffe/any other correctly named chordate