Biology Paper 3 (Practical), WASSCE (SC), 2022

LIST OF SPECIMENS
Specimen A – Weevil-damaged bean seed
Specimen B – Viable bean seed
Specimen C – Dried maize grain soaked in water overnight
Specimen D – Soldier termite (dead)
Specimen E – Honeybee (dead)
Specimen F – Muddy water (in a test tube)
Specimen G – Lower jaw of a herbivore with teeth intact
Specimen H – Head of domestic fowl (complete)
Specimen J – Quill feather
Specimen K – Leg of domestic fowl (complete)
Specimen L – Head of duck (complete)
Specimen M – Head of domestic fowl (complete)

 

 

QUESTION 3:

Study specimens H, K and M and answer questions 3(a) to 3(f).
(a)        State two observable structural differences between:

            (i)         specimens H and L;                                                                            [2 marks]                                                         
(ii)        specimens K and M.                                                                           [2 marks]

            (b)        (i)         State two ways each by which each of specimens H and M adapt the organisms to
their modes of life.                                                                              [8 marks]

(ii)        Name    types of food that the organism that possesses specimen H feeds on.
[2 marks]        
(c)        Make a drawing, 8 cm to 10 cm long of specimen M and label fully.
[9 marks]
(d)       Name one feeding habit of the organisms that possesses specimen K.
[1mark]
(e)        Name one feeding habit of each of the organisms that possesses
specimens H and L:                                                                            [2 marks]
(f)        State two observable similarities between specimens:
(i)         H and L;                                                                                  [2marks]
(ii)        K and M.                                                                                 [2marks]

Candidates’ performance in this question was average as a few candidates were able to correctly state observable differences between specimens H and L and specimens K and M.

A few candidates correctly stated how specimens H and M adapt the organisms to their modes of life.

Quite a large number of candidates could not correctly draw specimen M, hence, they lost marks.

 

The expected answers are:
3. (a)    Observable structural differences between
(i) specimens H and L


H/head of domestic fowl

L/head of duck

  • Presence of comb

comb absent;

  • Pointed/cylindrical/circular beak

flat/broad beak;

  • Short/stout beak

long beak;

  • Wattle present

wattle absent;

  • Beak not serrated

serrated beak.

(ii) specimens K and M


K/leg of domestic fowl

M/leg of duck

  • Unwebbed toes/digits

webbed toes/digits;

  • Curved/pointed claw

less curved/shorter/less pointed/curved claw;

  • Prominent backward digit

reduced backward digit;

  • Hind digit long

Hind digit short.

(b) (i) Ways by which specimens H and M adapt the organisms to their modes of life
H

  • Eye at the side of head; to focus on food on the ground/wide vision;
  • Short/stout beak; for picking grains/seeds from the soil/preening/courtship

M

  • Webbed digits; for paddling/swimming;
  • Long digits; to balance while walking on land/muddy water to get food;
  • Claws; for defence/scratching land to search for food;
  • Scales; to minimize desiccation/protection.                             

(ii) Type of food of the organism that possesses specimen H

  • Grains/seeds;
  • Worms;
  • Vegetables;
  • Insects/any correctly named insect.                                          

    (c) Drawing/Diagram of specimen M/leg of duck

Title   (TL) Drawing/Diagram of specimen M/leg of duck        

Quality (Q)
Clarity of lines (CL)                                                                    
Size (SZ) (8 cm to 10 cm)                                                            
Neatness of labels (NL)    All guidelines ruled -½ mark;
All labels horizontal -½ mark           
Magnification (MG)         (×/×0.5 to ×1)                                   
                                                                                                                                    
Details (D)
Webbed digit (WD) (at least two webs)                                      
Scale on foot (SF)                                                                        
Opposable digits (OD)                                                                 

Labels (L)
Web, claw, digit, scale.                                                                

(d) Habitat of the organism that possesses specimen K        
Hen coop/terrestrial/land/on a tree/poultry farm/homes/cage/farmyard.                               
(e) Feeding habit of specimens H and L
H: Omnivore/omnivorous animal.
L: Filter feeding.                                                                                

 (f)  Observable Similarities between specimens
(i) H and L
Both have:

  • Beaks;                -       Ear openings;
  • Eyes;                  -       Feathers;
  • Nostrils;              -       Neck.                                                     

                                                                          
(i) K and M
Both have:

  • Digits/four digits/three digits pointing forward and one digit pointing backward;
  • Scales;
  • Claws.