Health Education Paper 3 WASSCE (SC), 2016

Question 4

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  1. The diagram below is an illustration of a vertebra in the human skeleton.
    Study it and answer questions 4(a),4(b) and 4(c)

  1. (i)  Identify the vertebra illustrated in the diagram                        [1 mark]

(ii) Name the parts labeled I,II,III,IV,V and VI                             [3 marks]
(iii) In which part of the human body is the vertebra located?      [1 mark]

  1.   State one functions each of the parts labelled III, IV and V.     [3 marks]

                 (c)   Name two bones to which the vertebra illustrated is attached      [2 marks]

     

Observation

This question was attempted by many candidates and their performance was poor.  In part (a)(i) candidates correctly identified the vertebra illustrated in the diagram, in (a) (ii) candidates could not correctly name the parts labelled I,II, III, IV, V and VI and in (a) (iii) candidates could not also name the part of the body in which the thoracic vertebra is located.
In part (b), candidates  could not correctly stated functions each of the parts labelled III, IVand V in the thoracic vertebra.  In part (c) candidates could not also name bones to which the thoracic vertebra is attached.   

The expected answers are as follows:

4 (a) (i)IDENTIFICATION OF THE VERTEBRA ILLUSTRATED IN THE DIAGRAM

  • thoracic vertebra

      (ii)  NAME OF THE PARTS LABELLED
I           -           neural arch
II         -           tuberculum / tubercula facet
III        -           centrum
IV        -           neural canal/vertebral foramen
V         -           transverse process
VI        -           neural spine                            
(iii)   PART OF THE HUMAN BODY IN WHICH THE VERTEBRA IS FOUND

  • vertebral column / thoracic region/chest region

  (b)      FUNCTION OF III (CENTRUM)
-           provides support for the vertebra
-           provides protection for the vertebra
-           provides attachment to the next vertebrae     
FUNCTION OF IV (NEURAL CANAL)

  • passage / protection for spinal cord
  • passage/protection for blood vessel

 

                                     
FUNCTION OF V (TRANSVERSE PROCESS)

  • for muscle attachment

 (c)       NAMES OF BONES TO WHICH VERTEBRA IS ATTACHED
-           cervical vertebra
-           lumbar vertebra
-           ribs