Observation

 

In 2 (a) (i), many candidates tried in naming the Kingdom and Class of organisms from which specimen H could be obtained but candidates lost marks to wrong spellings of the names. Some even gave answers like ‘Animalian’, ‘vertebrate’ for the Kingdom and birds for the Class.

 

In 2 (a) (ii), majority of candidates were able to state the location of specimen H while some wrote feather, body, bird, which are wrong answers.

 

In 2 (a) (iii), some candidates just wrote ‘birds’ as an example of organism s from which specimen H could be obtained..

 

In 2 (b) (i), with so many observable differences, not many candidates scored good marks in this question. Many candidates, however, gave incorrect answers like one is an animal, the other is a plant, specimen H is soft and the other is hard, one regulates body temperature and the other is used to thatch house roofs. All the answers are not structural differences.

 

In 2 (b) (ii), not many candidates scored good marks in this question as many gave incorrect answers like both have flat surfaces, both are linear and elongated, both have shaft, vane, midrib, rachis as structural similarities.

 

In 2 (c), most candidates gave correct functions of the specimens H and J to the organism that possess them. Some however lost marks to incorrect spellings of technical terms.

 

In 2 (d), instead of giving the features that adapt the specimens to the functions, the candidates gave observable features only.

The expected answers include:       

2. (a) (i) Kingdom and Class of organism from which specimen H/quill feather could be obtained
Kingdom
Animalia                                                                                                      
Class
Aves                                                                                                            

(ii) Location on the body of organism from which specimen H/quill feather could be obtained
Wing(s)/tail(s)                                                                                                

(iii) Example of organism from which specimen H/quill feather could be obtained
Pigeon/domestic fowl/cock/hen/dove/vulture/ostrich/gull/duck/any correctly named bird.                                                                                                                                                 
(b) (i) Differences between specimens H and J

Specimen H/quill feather	Specimen J/Palm frond
Barbs present	barbs are absent;
Vanes present	vanes are absent;
Vein absent	vein present;
Shaft/rachis present	shaft/rachis absent;
Midrib absent	midrib present;
Petiole absent	petiole present;
Smaller in size	larger in size;
Sharp margin absent	sharp margin present;
Non-green in colour	green in colour;
Barbules present	barbules absent;
Calamus present	calamus absent;
Inferior/superior umbilicus present	inferior/superior umbilicus absent;
Aftershaft present	aftershaft absent;
Barbs are diagonal	venation is parallel;
Blunt end	tapers at the end/apex;
Short barb(s)	long leaflet.

Note: Points must correspond to score.

(ii) Similarities between specimens H and J

• They both possess point of attachment;
• They both possess apex;
• They both have margin;
• Both have glossy surface.                                                         

(c) Functions of specimens H and J to the organisms that possess them
Specimen H

• Flight/flying;
• Insulation;
• Camouflage;
• Sexual/courtship display;
• Protection;
• Waterproof;
• Identification;
• Gives shape.                                                                           

Specimen J
Photosynthesis/manufacture of food/transpiration/gaseous exchange.

 (d)Observable features that adapt specimens H and J to their functions
Specimen H

• Strong and firm; to beat against air/wind/protection/insulation;
• Hollow shaft/rachis/light weight; for buoyancy;
• Interlocking barbules/closely packed barbs; for upthrust;
• Colour; for camouflage/courtship display/identification;
• Glossy surface; for waterproof.                                                   

Specimen J

• Green colour; for photosynthesis;
• Veins; for conduct/transport of water/nutrients/food;
• Glossy/waxy surface; makes it waterproof.