Biology Questions and Suggested Solutions

BIOLOGY
QUESTIONS AND
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
COMPILED BY
TEAM LEGENDS
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TEAM LEGENDS
 SYDNEY NKHOMA
 LAURENCE ARMANDO KAPITO (EAGLE MIND)
 WAKISA MHANGO (CLEM JR)
 ANTHONY KANYANGALA
 JONES NDAZAMO (VENDETTA)
(DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS)
+265884617305/+265880495795
TRUST THE PROCESS
TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.MICROSCOPE……………………………….…. 1-50
2.CELL BIOLOGY……………….….…………. 50-100
3.MICROBIOLOGY………………...…...…….101-125
4.ZOOLOGY……………………...…………….126-160

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PART ONE
MICROSCOPE
1. Define the following as used in microscopy
a. Magnification
- Magnification refers to the enlargement of an
object by the objective and ocular lens.
b. Resolution
- This refers to ability of the microscope to
distinguish two objects which are a distant apart.
c. Contrast
- It refers to the microscope’s ability to distinguish
an object from its background.
2. How does a fluorescence microscope produce

images?

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- Fluorescence microscope uses the ability of an

object to observe wavelength of light at a shorter
distance and give off light waves at a longer
distance.
- Filters transmit light emitted by fluorescently
stained molecules and
- It produces a bright image against a yellow
background.
3. Which microscope can be used in viewing Taenia
saginata.
- Light microscope (dark field microscope)
4. After observing the cell, you would like to
determine the temperature of the cell. Which
microscope would you use?
- Scanning probe microscope
5. Which microscope can be used in Nano level
observations as well as cell morphology?
- Transmission electron microscope
6. What are some of the ways of increasing contrast
in optic microscopes?
- By staining
- By phase contrast illumination
- By bright field illumination
- By dark field illumination.
7. What is working distance?

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- This refers to the distance between the front lens

of the objective and the object on the slide.
8. Which objective(s) provides the least
magnification?
- × 10 𝑎𝑛𝑑 × 40
9. Define the following terms.
a. Refractive index
- This is the measure of light bending ability as it
travels from one media to another e.g. water to
air.
b. Resolution.
- This is the ability of the microscope to
distinguish two objects which are a distant apart.
c. Numerical aperture
- This is the mathematical expression that explains
how the condenser lens concentrate the light rays
into the objective lens.
10. Differentiate simple and compound

microscope and explain how each make images.
- A simple microscope consists produces an image
through a single magnification lens while A
compound microscope produces an image
through a series of magnification lens.

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- A simple microscope has a highest magnification

of × 40 while A compound microscope has a
highest magnification of × 100
Image production
- A simple microscope produces an images when
light rays pass from the specimen through the
objective lens to the ocular lens through a single
tube which consists of objective lens and ocular
lens.
- A compound microscope produces an image
when light rays are concentrated in the objective
lens by the condenser which is below the stage.
Then, the objective lens transfers the light rays to
the ocular lens, hence image production.
11. With the aid of a well labelled diagram,
describe how an immersion oil in optical
microscope is used to achieve higher
magnification with good resolution.

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- Oil immersion shortens the working distance

hence allowing more light rays to enter the
objective lens thereby improving resolution of
the microscope.
- The immersion oil also reduces the loss of light
rays since oil immersion has a low diffraction
rate of light rays.
12. How does a scanning microscope differ from a

transmission microscope?
- A scanning electron microscope has low
magnification while a transmission electron
microscope has a high magnification of up to
Nano level
- A scanning microscope produce 3 dimensional
images while a Transmission microscope
produces 2 dimensional images
- Due to its high resolving power, a transmission
microscope can show cell morphology unlike
scanning microscope.
13. Which microscope technique relies on the
specimen interfering with the wavelength of light
to produce a high contrast image without the need
of dyes or any damage to the sample.
- Fluorescence microscope

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14. The field of view of a × 𝟏𝟎 ocular and ×

𝟒 objective is 5mm, what will be the field of view
with a × 𝟏𝟎 objective.
Solution:
If × 4 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 = 5𝑚𝑚
× 10 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 = 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠
×4
= × 5𝑚𝑚
×10
= 2mm
(the answer is correct because the higher (greater)
the objective, the smaller the field of view; and vice
versa)
15. If the ocular lens of a microscope is × 𝟏𝟎 and

the objective is set at × 𝟏𝟎𝟎, what is the total
magnification of the microscope.
𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠 × 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠

M = (× 10) × (× 100)
M = ×1000
16. State the function of the condenser.
- It concentrates light rays coming from the light
source, into the objective lens.
17. The lens that is within the eyepiece is called…
- Ocular lens

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18. The wheel under the stage that adjusts the

amount of light is called…
- A diaphragm
19. The high power objective works with which
knob?
- Fine focus knob
20. The type of microcopy technique which gives
detailed examination of internal structures apart
from electron microscope is
- Phase contrast microscopy technique
21. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of
the following microscope techniques.
a. Electron microscope
- Advantage: electrons have shorter wavelength,
hence higher resolving power.
- Disadvantage: cannot to be used to view live
cells as the specimen is placed in a vacuum,
hence the cell can be killed.
b. Light/ optical microscope
- Advantage: requires minimal preparation
- Disadvantage: limits diffraction to 0.2𝜇𝑚
c. Fluorescence microscope
- Advantage: has high resolving power since it
uses ultra-violet rays.
- Disadvantage: dyes (flourochromes) may kill the
cell.

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22. What do phase contrast and dark field

microscopes have in common?
- No staining is required; hence it can be used for
viewing live cells.
23. What are some of the drawbacks of electron
microscope?
- It is not user friendly, i.e. it requires maximum
specimen preparation.
- It cannot be used to view live cells.
24. Which objective provides the greatest depth

of view?
- ×10 objective lens.
25. Three limitations of bright field microscope
apart from poor contrast are:
- Limits diffraction to 0.2𝜇𝑚
- Cannot be used to view live cells.
- Stains used, can kill the specimen.
26. How does oil immersion help in achieving

good resolution?
- Oil immersion shortens the distance between the
slide and front lens of the objective, hence
reduces the number of light rays which are lost

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due to refraction. This helps lighter rays to be go

to the objective lens leading to higher resolution.
27. Briefly explain why the knowledge on the

movement of light through convex lens is
important in microscope.
- This knowledge helps a person to understand and
to use necessary lenses in order for magnification
to take place. A convex lens magnifies at a closer
range than a human eye hence providing
magnification. It does this by collecting the light
rays and converging them at a focal point, for
magnification.
28. State four factors that help in improving

resolution in light microscope.
- Using immersion oil.
- Using short wavelengths of light.
- Increasing the numerical aperture.
- Keeping the diaphragm opened at its best
position.
- Keeping the condenser at the highest level, to
prevent loss of light rays due to refraction
29. Describe the advantage of using a stereoscopic

or dissecting microscope.

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- Provides a large field of view and large depth of

view as its maximum magnification lens is ×40.
- The specimen may be manipulated (turned,
flipped) while under view.
30. Differentiate simple from differential staining

techniques in microscope.
- Simple staining uses a single dye which is
attainable by all organisms in a smear while
differential staining techniques uses the ability of
the organisms to interact with different dyes.
31. How are microscopes classified?
- Based on ocular lens (mono-ocular & binocular
lens)
- Based on number of lenses (simple or
compound)
- Depending on source (light & electron)
32. Differentiate the two types of specimen

fixation.
- Heat fixation: where an organism is placed on a
slide and it (the slide) is heated from a heat
source.
- Chemical fixation: it where an object is placed
on a slide and a chemical e.g. alcohol or ethanol

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is applied in order to deactivate chemical

processes happening on the slide.
33. Differentiate between optical and electron
microscope.
- Optical microscope has lower resolving power
than electron microscope which can magnify up
to 1 × 106 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠.
- Optical microscope can be used to view live cells
whilst an electron microscope can kill the
specimen, hence cannot be used to view live
cells.
34. What are the three branches of microscope?

- Light microscope
- Electron microscope
- Scanning probe microscope
35. Who invented the compound microscope?

- Robert Hooke
36. You want to reduce the amount of light when
looking at a thin and\or transparent cells or
tissues such as onions or amoeba cells. What
options would you use to decrease the light
intensity?
- Closing the diaphragm, a little bit.

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37. Define the term parfocal.

- This means that an object can still be focused
while changing from one objective lens to
another.
38. Outline the two differences between
compound microscope and transmission electron
microscope.
- Compound microscope can be used in viewing
live cells while a transmission electron
microscope cannot be used to view live samples.
- Compound microscope comprises of a number of
convex lenses which can magnify a whole object
leading to a better view while a transmission
microscope has a thin series of convex lens
hence producing 2D images.
39. Define field of view
- This refers to the diameter of the objective lens
under use when viewing a sample.
40. Leuwenhoek was able to have improved
microscopic observations than Hooke’s
observations; why?
- Leuwenhoek used live cells than Hooke’s
observations.

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41. Differentiate wet mounts and dry fixation as

techniques used in microscopy.
- Wet mount is a type of fixation, where a drop of
liquid (water) is dropped on the specimen on the
slide. While dry fixation, a specimen is put on a
slide and no any liquid is applied.
42. Cilia and flagella motility are some of the
features which can enable pathogenic prokaryote
cell to attach it to a host cell more easily. Given a
situation that you want to observe the flagella and
cilia, which best microscope would you use.
- Phase contrast microscope. Due to its ability to
view live cells and cell’s organelle motility, it
can be used to view the cilia and flagella. It does
not use stains for magnification hence providing
a good view for cilia and flagella’s motility.
43. Photographs of cells of any particle taken
with a microscope are called microscopic particles
44. Magnification in microscope is affected by
which two lenses.
- Eyepiece lens and objective lens
45. Briefly, discuss about the three advantages of
light microscope
- It is cheap
- It requires minimal sample preparation
- It uses white light for sample preparation.

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- It is user friendly
- It is parfocal
46. How does a phase contrast microscope
produce an image?
- A phase contrast microscope uses the variations
in density within the cell.
- It uses the ability of interference of light rays
coming out from the sample. The more the
refractive index of a cell organelle, the poor the
resolution.
- Light rays coming from the sample diverge and
meet at the focal point forming an upright image.
47. How does a bright field microscope produce

an image?
- A bright field microscope forms a dark image
against a bright background.
- Light rays coming from the light source are
converged on the sample and the sample refracts
the light rays in the objective lens and to ocular
lens, hence forming an image.
48. What is the use of a scanning probe
microscope?
- Scanning probe is used in viewing details of
molecules e.g. DNA, RNA or viruses.

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49. How does an electron microscope produce an

image?
- When electrons are fired from the electron gun,
the protons which are found alongside the tube in
the microscope concentrate and focus the
electrons in the first condenser.
- The electrons past through the first condenser
lens to the second condenser lens.
- The electrons then pass through the specimen
and form an image on the transparent screen.
50. What happens on phase contrast

illumination?
- A sample’s contrast is improved when there is
light interference coming from different parts of
the specimen.
PART TWO

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CELL BIOLOGY
51.Briefly discuss three differences between
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
- According to their genetic structure, in prokaryotic cells
mitotic nuclear division is absent while in eukaryotic cells
is present.
- DNA in organelle is absent inn prokaryotic cells while in
eukaryotic cells is present.
- In their cytoplasmic structure prokaryotic cells have 70s
nature of cytoplasmic ribosomes while eukaryotic cells
have 80s cytoplasmic ribosomes.
52.State one cell organelle for each of the following
cellular functions.
a) Lipid synthesis => smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
b) Proteins synthesis => ribosomes.
c) Energy ATP production=> mitochondria.
d) Separation of daughter cells after cell division=>
spindle fibers.

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e) Regulation of calcium levels=> endoplasmic

reticulum.
f) Digestion of worn out organelles engulfed viruses
and bacteria=> lysosomes.
53.Using well labelled diagram discuss the process of
conjugation.
- In conjugation two paramecium cells meet and form a
bridge and one the cells generally donate some replicated
DNA. this allows sharing of genes among paramecium
even among different genera.
54.How does cytokinesis in animal cell differ from
cytokinesis in plant cells?
- In animals, membranes pinch together to form a cleavage
furrow while in plants, vesicles containing cellulose form
and fuse between two daughter cells thereby forming a
complete cell wall.
55.Peroxisomes are often called “suicide bags” because
of their ability to destroy the cell. How do cells contain
the peroxisomes without being destroyed?
- Peroxisomes oversee reactions that neutralize free
radicals. They produce large amounts of the toxic H2O2 in
the process, but contain enzymes that convert H2O2 into
water and oxygen. These by products are then safely

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released into cytoplasm. Therefore, peroxisome neutralize

harmful toxic so that they do not cause damage in the cell.
56.In which two ways is meiosis related to sexual
reproduction?
- Meiosis produce sex cells that joins to form new
offspring’s during sexual reproduction.
- Meiosis allows offspring’s produced during sexual
reproduction to grow and develop.
57.All cells have cell membranes and other structural
components. Using a well labelled diagram, describe
the structure of the cell membrane?
- It is composed of bilayer of phospholipid molecules and

variety of membrane proteins. They have a glycocalyx

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consisting of oligosaccharide molecules projecting from

the glycolipids and glycoproteins.
58.Explain one major role played by the cells
membrane in maintaining homeostasis?
- Cell membranes prevents the passage of water and ions.
This allows the cell to maintain a higher concentration of
sodium ions out the outside of the cell.
59.Differentiate the following in terms of their function
or general structure?
a) Protoplasm and cytoplasm
- cytoplasm involves everything to the inside of the cell
membrane the nucleus while protoplasm involves
cytoplasm plus nucleus.
b)Smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is prominent in steroid
secreting cell such as liver, active mammary glands and
intestinal cells. While rough endoplasmic reticulum is
prominent in cells that make large amount of proteins to be
exported from the cell or inserted to the cell membrane and
cells circulating enzyme such as pancreas.
60.Discuss the typical structure of bacteria cell?
- They are unicellular microscopic prokaryotes size range
between 0.5-2µm, have mesosomes for photosynthesis and

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respiration sites, they also have small rings of DNA called

plasmids, its cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan and
have flagella for movement.
61.List three major differences between bacteria cell
and plant cell?
- Plant cell is eukaryotic while bacteria are prokaryotic
- DNA in Plant cell is arranged in nucleus in contrast to
bacteria DNA found in cytoplasm
- Plant cell contains membrane bound organelle whereas
bacteria cell lacks membrane bound organelle
62.Give one reason why daughter cells produced by
mitosis are genetically identical unlike cells produced
by meiosis?
- It is because crossing over has occurred; the events that
occur in meiosis but not in mitosis include homologous
chromosomes pairing up, lining up along the metaphase
plate in tetrads.
13.Define the following terminologies?
a) Peroxisomes
- Are membranes bound organelles containing enzymes
that catalyze an assortments of metabolic reactants in
which hydrogen is transferred from various compounds.

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b) Centrioles
- Are small structures made of microtubes that exist as part
of the centrosome which helps organize micro tubes in the
body.
c) Chromatin
- Are complex proteins associated with DNA which
appears as network of granules and strands in cells that are
not dividing
14.Explain the general events that take place during
each of the following stages of the cell production?
S1. STAGES EVENTS
NO
CELL
CEYCLE
(3marks)
1 G1 Growth and normal metabolic processes
2 S DNA replication
3 G2 Growth and preparation for mitosis
MITOSIS
(14marks)
4 Prophase - Chromosomes are shorten and become
visible in animals.
- Centrioles move to opposite sides of the
cell in animals

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- Spindle fibers and astral fibers both

known as the spindle apparatus begin to
form
5 Metaphase - Chromosome line up along Centre of the
cell called the metaphase plate in animals
- Chromosome attach to spindle fibers in
animals.
- Spindle and astral fibers are now clearly
visible in plants.
6 telophase - Nuclear envelop forms around both sets
of chromosomes in animals
- DNA uncoils in animals
- Spindle and astral fibers completely
disappear
- Cytokinesis happens
Meiosis
(3marks)
7 Meiosis1 - There is chromosomal replication in
interphase,
- Nuclear membrane disappears an d
spindle fibers appear
65.Briefly describe the cell theory and relate it to

evolution?
- According to cell theory it states that every cell comes
from another cell, so due to changes in the environment the
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cells might have undergone some changes in genes

chromosomes which lead to variations among them, hence
making the cells to change gradually over a long period of
time as the genes pass on to another generation.
66.What are the three central dogma of cell theory?

- It state that all living things are composed of one or more
cells
- Cells come only from already existing cells
- Cells are the basic units of structure and function in an
organism
67. Which cellular feature would determine whether a
cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
- Presence of cell membrane
68.Use the figure below to answer the questions that
follow:

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Figure shows a cell undergoing mitosis
a) What phase of mitosis is represented by cell A?

- Metaphase
b) What phase of mitosis is represented by cell B?
- Telophase
c) What type of cell organelle form part y in cell F?
- Centrioles
d) In cell F, what is the name of structure labelled
y?
- Spindle fibers
69. In 1610, Galileo Galileo invented the microscope,

but it was Robert Hooke in 1665 who was the first to
observe cells why?

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- It is because Robert Hooke improved the microscope by

developing a concave and convex lens so as to magnify
small organisms such as cells.
70. No one has disputed the cell theory but what do you
think are some of the limitations of the cell theory.
- It fails to explain the variations that exist among different
organisms (parents and offspring’s).
- It fails to describe the origin of the first cell.
71. Why was Archaea considered as a Prokaryote?
- It does have an enclosed nucleus
- It does not have a membrane bound organelles.
72. How is Archaea different from Bacteria?
- Archaea has glycerol while Bacteria has peptidoglycan.
73. Briefly discuss the different types of transport in
cells.
- Active transport involves the use of energy to transport
particles against concentration gradient.
- Passive transport does not involve the use of energy to
transport the particles and molecules from high to low
concentrated region. e.g. Diffusion and Osmosis.
74. Discuss with examples two ways by which the
knowledge about the cells is applied to daily

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life.
- Cells can be used to replicate the viruses for production
of drugs and medicine e.g. vaccines.
- It can be used for generation of clean burning fuels as a
renewable source of energy such as Methane and
Hydrogen.
75.Cell reproduce through a continuous sequence of
growth and division called the cell cycle.
a) Mention the four stages of a cell cycle.
- First growth phase
- Synthesis phase
- Second growth phase
- Mitotic phase
b) During which stage does DNA replication occur?
- Synthesis phase
76.Phases of meiosis in living cells are generally similar

to those of mitosis. However, meiosis involves two
sequences of phases (meiosis I and meiosis II). Answer
the following questions in relation to the processes
mitosis and meiosis;
a) What is centromere?
- It is a point of attachment between two chromatids

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b) Describe the difference between metaphase I and

metaphase II.
- In metaphase I the replicated homologous
chromosomes are aligned at the middle of the cell
while metaphase II the sister chromatids are
brought on the metaphase plate by the action of
microtubule.
c) Explain what happens to chromatids for
chromosomes to appear during cellular
reproduction.
- They become thick and short.
77.State two cell structures that are characteristic for

all cells.
- Both have nucleus which contain genetic material
- Both have cell membrane
78.What cell organelle contains small amounts of DNA?
- Plasmids
79.Relate the structure of the cell membrane to its
function.
- The structure of a cell membrane is composed lipids
and protein layers; hence its function is semi-permeability

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and these lipids and proteins regulate the movement of

particles across the cell membrane.
80.Explain why two species can have the same
chromosome number yet have very different attributes.
- During the cross over, difference characteristics carried
by different chromatids may be transferred to the other
chromatids hence changing the attribute of the final cell.
81.Distinguish the following terms in relation to cell
division:
a) Chromatin and chromatids
- Chromatin is a material consisting of DNA and
associated proteins While Chromatids are two strands of
DNA that joins at the centromere to form a chromosome
b) Chiasmata and kinetochore
- Chiasmata is a site of crossing over while kinetochore is
a point attached to each centromere of a chromosome.
82.What stage of cell division will you expect to find the
following?
a) Splitting of centromere into two
- Anaphase II
c) Formation of cell plate
- Telophase I

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83.How do animals and plants cells differ in spindle

formation?
- Plants cells show a microtubule organizing centers which
consist of fibrils with little or no structures while animal
cell have a pair of centrioles in the middle of microtubules
organizing center and the centrioles are surrounded by
fibrils that make up the peri-centriolar material.
84.Explain why is it usually important to conduct the
Gram reaction test as an initial test of bacterial
identification?
- Gram staining is very accurate and it reduces the artifacts,
since you only make conclusion based on the colors which
have been observed. If it is crystal violet, then it is gram
positive bacteria and when it is colorless, it is gram
negative bacteria.
85.You have discovered a new prokaryote and classified
it into Archaea kingdom. Briefly describe the major
characteristic that might lead you to this conclusion.
- Lack of well-defined nucleus may help in concluding that
it is a prokaryote.
86.Tay-sachs disease is a human genetic abnormality
that results in cells accumulating and becoming clogged
with very large and complex lipids. Which cellular
organelle must be involved in this condition?

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- Lysosome
87.State one major role played by the following
organelles:
a) Ribosomes
- For protein synthesis under the control of the genetic
code.
b) Centriole
- Production of spindle fibers that are used in cell division
d) Golgi body
- In plants, it is used for synthesis of cell wall material
while in animals is added to nascent proteins coming from
the endoplasmic reticulum for use internally for secretion.
e) Cell vacuole
- Contains salts, sugars, pigments and other substances that
create osmotic potential in the cell.
f) Mitochondria
- Production of energy in form of ATP through the process
of respiration.
88.Distinguish the following:
a) Fertilization and meiosis

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- Fertilization is the fusion of an oocyte and a sperm to

form a zygote while meiosis is a sexual reproduction which
is done to form gametes.
b) Conjugation and binary fission in bacteria
- Conjugation refers to sexual reproduction in which two
paramecia meet and exchange genetic materials while
binary fission is asexual reproduction in which one cell
replicates then cytokinesis happens to form other
organisms.
c) Cytokinesis in animal cells and cytokinesis in
plant cells
- Cytokinesis in animals the membrane pinch together to
form a cleavage furrow. The cleavage furrow fuses and
form two daughter cells while cytokinesis in plants cell
wall must be formed between two daughter cells so
vesicles containing cellulose is formed and fuses between
two daughter cells eventually forming a complete cell wall.
d) Rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth
endoplasmic reticulum
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum contains ribosomes which
are responsible for protein synthesis while smooth
endoplasmic reticulum does not have ribosomes hence it is
used for lipid synthesis.

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89. Which organelle is considered the “brain” cell?

- Nucleus
90.Which cell organelle assist with cell division during
mitosis and meiosis?
- Centrioles
91.When does the disappearance of nucleoli and the
nuclear envelope occur during meiosis II?
- During Anaphase II
92.Study the figure below and answer the questions
below
a) Distinguish between part labelled A and B in

terms of function

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- Part labelled A is used for synthesis of cell wall material

in plants and in animals is added to nascent proteins
coming from the endoplasmic reticulum for use internally
for secretion while Part labelled B is a site for protein
synthesis under the control of the genetic code while.
b) State the function of part labelled C.
- It provides a site for biological and photochemical
reactions of photosynthesis.
93.Briefly discuss whether a virus is a living organism
or not?
- According to cell theory viruses are living organisms
because they show some of the characteristics of living
things, but they do not have cells therefore all viruses are
acellular organisms.
94. How does a sex cell differ from a body cell?
- A sex cell has half the amount of genetic material as a
body cell.
95. How do the chromosomes at the end of meiosis I
compare with the chromosomes at the end of meiosis
II?
- Chromosomes have two chromatids at the end of meiosis
I and one chromatid at the end of meiosis II.
96. How is meiosis related to sexual reproduction?

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- Meiosis produces the sex cells that join to form new

offspring during sexual reproduction.
97. How does meiosis I differ from meiosis II?
- Chromosome number decreases by half as a result of
meiosis I, but not as a result of meiosis II.
98. What do chromosomes do in meiosis but not in
mitosis?
- The homologous chromosomes form pairs.
99. A student observed a slide of a stage of mitosis as
shown in the diagram below.
a) He/she noticed that the slide contains two

homologous pairs of chromosomes. How would
this diagram be different if it showed anaphase I
of meiosis instead of anaphase of mitosis?

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- Each chromosome would still have two

chromatids.
b) What is the major significance of mitosis and
meiosis?
- Mitosis bring about growth in all organisms while
Meiosis facilitates stable sexual reproduction.
100. How would living things differ if cell division took
place only for reproduction?
- All living things would be single-celled.
PART THREE
MICROBIOLOGY
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101. Distinguish between virion and prion.

- virions refers to the virus particle which contain nucleic
acid surrounded by a coat called capsid while prions are
infectious proteins.
- virions are generally found within the host cell nucleus
an appear to interfere with gene regulation whilst prions
can be found on the surface of brain of animals
102.Describe any three features of viruses that are
used by various classification systems for grouping
animals.
a) Mode of production
- Just like other unicellular organisms’ viruses
mostly reproduce asexually while other animals
it reproduces sexually.
b)Virulence
- Most of the viruses are violent in the sense that
when they inject in the host cell they destroy the
host cell and colonies the place hence destroys
cells completely i.e. HIV in the cd4 cells while
other unicellular organisms like bacteria and
fungi they are not virulent.
c) Morphology

Page 39 of 65
- Viruses have different modes of movement.

Some viruses they move by using flagella which
is also used in other organisms.
d) Genetic material
- Viruses contains ribonucleic acid (RNA) while
in other animals the genetic material is composed
of DNA.
103.Distinguish conjugation and binary fusion in
bacteria.
- Viruses are used to transfer the DNA (genetic material)
of bacterial genes from one bacterial cell into another
Normally, a phage contains only its own DNA, however,
sometimes a phage incorporates some of the bacterial DNA
of its host. Whilst in binary fusion the prokaryote bacteria
reproduce asexually, generally by binary fission, a process
in which one cell divides into two similar cells.
104. Describe the four classes of fungi in terms of
structure and reproduction.
a) Phycomycetes
- Phycomycetes have no septate mycelium.

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- Phycomycetes produce asexually by producing

sporangium.
- Phycomycetes produce sexually by producing
zoospores.
b) Ascomycetes
- Ascomycetes have septate mycelia.
- Their reproduction is carried out by both sexual and
asexual. Sexual spores (ascospores), are contained in a
sac called ascus. Each ascus carries eight or more
ascospores.
- Asexual spores (conidiospores) are produced open on
various types of reproductive stalks (reproductive
hyphae). Yeasts (e.g., Sac-charomyces
cerevisiae, or baker‘s yeast) are classified as ascomycetes.
However, yeast form large cells that reproduce asexually
by budding or fission, and sexually by conjugation and
transformation
c) Basidiomycetes
- Basidiomycetes also have a septate mycelium.
- They produce sexual spores (basidiospores) inside a
structure called the basidium. The basidium could either
be hollow (one sac) or subdivided into four sections. e.g.,
agaricus) belong to the basidiomycete group.

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- Asexually, as in ascomycetes, they too reproduce

conidiospores.
- However sexually they produce spores called
basidiospores
c) Deuterostomes
- These produce asexually only by producing
conidiospores.
- Have a septate mycelium.
105.Why are archaea considered different from
eubacteria and eukaryotes?
- Their cell walls lack peptidoglycan like in eubacteria.
- The lipids in the cell membrane of archaea have
different structure than those in all other organisms.
- Archaea have distinctive ribosomal RNA sequence,
some of their genes possess intrins, unlike of other
bacteria.
106.State any seven roles of microbes in mankind.
- Food spoilers
- Industrial use
- Digestion process
- Soil enrichment

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- Detoxification of substance
- Used in the production of medicine
- Provide oxygen when doing photosynthesis.
107. List down common shapes of true bacteria
- Cocci
- Streptococcus
- Vibrio
- Spirillum
108. List any two types of bacteria.
- Cyanobacteria
- Sheathed bacteria
- Stalked bacteria
- Budding bacteria
109. How do virus reproduce?
- Virus reproduce asexually through binary fission. They
replicate when they are in host cells.
110. Describe how lytic viral cycle from lysogenic
viral cycle.
a) In a lytic cycle,
- The virus lyses (destroys) the host cell after
integrating with the host cell’s genome.

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- Viruses that have only a lytic cycle are described

as virulent which means that they cause disease,
and often cause death on the other hand.
b)In lysogenic
- The lysogenic viral cycle involves viruses which
are gentle and they may choose to destroy the
host cell after integrating with the host cell’s
genome.
111. What is the difference between monotrichous
and peritrichous flagella arrangement?
- Monotrichous flagella is attached only to one
side of an organism.
- Peritrichous on the side flagella is covered on
the whole body of an organism
112. Describe two significant roles played by
peptidoglycan in microorganisms.
- Peptidoglycan makes the cell wall thick
through the cross links of the chemicals
such as n acetyl-muramic and glutamine
- Facilitation of movement of substances
within the cell such as proteins and Lipids
113. Briefly describe basidiomycetes in terms of
reproduction.
- Basidiomycetes produce sexually by producing
basidiospores.

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- They also produce asexually by producing

conidiospores.
114. Give three functional differences between a
viral particle and a cell.
- A cell controls all processes in a viral while a viral
particle controls aa specific function i.e. metabolism
- A cell contains all organelles for an organism to
function while viral particle only contains nucleic acid for
the virus.
115. List the main four classes of fungi.
- Basidiomycetes
- Phycomycetes
- Ascomycetes
- Deuteromycetes
116. Describe how fungi are classified based on the
following:
a) Morphological structures.
- Others use pili for movement whilst
others use flagella
b)Mode of reproduction
- Others produce a sexually whilst others
produce sexually
I.e. deuterostomes produce asexually

Page 45 of 65
117.State three roles of fungi.

a) Fungi in nature
- Employed in the commercial production of organic
acids, vitamin and antibiotics e.g. Penicillin (biochemical
product of the fungus Penicillium spp).
- They decompose food, fabrics, leather, dead plants
and animals to release oxygen and minerals
- Many fungi form important symbiotic relationships
with other organisms such as lichens, mycorrhizae
b)Example of typical virus
- Tobacco mosaic virus
- virus polyhedral
- Human immune virus
118. Discuss the typical stages of viral particle
replication using the case of HIV.
a) Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to transcribe
their RNA into DNA; the viral DNA becomes part of the
host DNA.
b) When activated, viral DNA uses host enzymes to
transcribe viral RNA
c) HIV infects T helper cells, specialized cells of the
host’s immune system.

Page 46 of 65
i. The virus attaches to protein receptors,

known as CD4, on the plasma membrane of
T helper cells.
ii. HIV has two identical single-stranded RNA
molecules.
119. Discuss the difference between staphylococcus
and streptococcus bacteria flagella arrangement
as seen under microscope.
- Staphylococcus bacteria is accumulated like a rump of
stones while streptococcus bacteria form a linear pattern.
120. Discuss the typical structure of a bacteria cell.
- Structure of a bacteria cell is rectangular in shape. It
also has pili for production. The flagella on the bacteria
cell is used for movement.
121. List down the five microorganisms which are
studied under a microscope.
- Virus
- Prions
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- protozoa
122. State the four characteristics that define
microorganisms.
- Undefined nucleus

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- Contain environmental sensing proteins

- They produce spores when reproducing
- Both are microscopic.
123. Use diagrams to describe the four stages of
binary fusion.
124. Explain the three locomotive structures which

are used in bacteria.
- paramecium
- The flagella
- cilia
125. Why would you consider basidiomycetes and
ascomycetes as sister phyla?

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- They both produce conidiophores when

producing asexually.
- They both have septate mycelium
PART FOUR
ZOOLOGY
126. Differentiate the following as used in zoology

a. Fertilisation and Implantation
- fertilisation refers to the fusion of a sperm and an oocyte
to form a zygote while implantation is the attachment of
the zygote in the placenta.
b. Morula and Gastrula
- Morula refers to the solid ball of blastomeres while
gastrula refers to the process by which the blastula
becomes a three-layer embryo.
c. Ectoderm and Mesoderm

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- Ectoderm is the outermost layer which gives rise to skin

and sense organs such as eyes while mesoderm is the
middle layer which gives rise to reproductive organs and
excretory organs.
d. Trichinosis and fascioliasis
- Trichinosis is the disease caused by Trichinella white
(white pork) while Fascioliasis is the disease caused by
Fasciola (flukes).
e. Flagella and Cilia
- Flagella are long but few appendages protruding outside
the body of an organism while Cilia are short but many
protruding inside or outside the body of an organism e.g.
in nose cilia is inside.
f. Schizogony and conjugation
- Schizogony is the asexual reproduction of organisms
characterised by multiple divisions of the nucleus and
cells while Conjugation is a type of sexual production in
which takes place when two plamecia join and exchange
genetic material.
g. Ovoviviparous and Viviparous
- Ovoviviparous refers to the type of development in
which the young hatch from eggs incubated inside the
mother’s body e.g. sharks while Viviparous is the type of

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development in which the young complete their

development within the mother’s body e.g. all mammals.
- In Ovoviviparous, the young are fully developed
when they are hatched and released from the mother
while in Viviparous, the young are fully developed inside
the mother’s body
(Oviparous is the type of development in which the
internally fertilized egg is released outside the mother’s
body to complete their full development e.g. birds.)
h. Anus and Cloaca
- Anus is the end and outlet of the digestive tract while
Cloaca refers to the common exit chamber from the
digestive, reproductive and urinary system (in others, the
cloaca may serve as a respiratory duct).
- [a cloaca is a single opening in which feces, urine and
reproductive products (gametes) leave the body] 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠
ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑐𝑎
I. Hagfish and Lamprey
- Hagfish are jawless invertebrates while lamprey are
jawless vertebrates.
Hag fish and Lampreys

Page 51 of 65
127.
a. Name one phyla of bryophytes
- Phylum brophyta (mosses)
- Phylum hepatophyta (liverworts)

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- Phylum anthocerophyta (hornworts)

b. Name one phyla of gymnosperms
- Phylum genetophyta
- Phylum cycadophyta
128.
a. Protostomes are characterised by
- A blastopore which forms the mouth.
b. Amphibians are characterised by
- Cutaneous respiration (SKIN RESPIRATION). Most
amphibians respire through the skin e.g. frog.
c. While working in your garden, you discover a
worm-like segmented animal with two pairs of jointed
legs per segment. The animal is probably a
…………………. (an arthropod)
d. Which phylum is characterised by animals with
segmented body?
- Phylum arthropods
129. What are three traits of gymnosperms which
are shared by the angiosperms.
- Both are heterosporous
- Both have companion cells

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- Both have sieve plates

130. List two examples of the following:
I. Asymmetrical animals
- cnidarian
- echinoderm
II. Diploblastic animals
- Cnidarians
- Ctenophores
III. Acoelomates
- Platyhelminthes
- Nemertea
IV. Ascaris
- Ascaris suum
- Ascaris galli
V. Hermaphrodites
- Snails
- Sponges (amoeba)
131. State whether these statements are true or false
Bees are monoecious: false
Lungs develop from the endoderm: true
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A crab is an example of a bilateral symmetry: true

A blastocoel is also called the coelom: false
Nematode are also known as flatworms: false
Loa loa is a nose worm in humans: false
Female nematodes are usually larger than the male
nematode: true
Echinococcosis granulosis forms hydatid cyst in brains:
(false)
The Heart Develops from The Mesoderm (true)
132. What is the difference between deuterostomes
and protostomes?
- Protostomes are coelomates whose embryonic
development shows a blastopore associated with the
mouth. While deuterostomes are coelomates whose
embryonic development shows a blastopore associated
with the anus.
133. The beef tape worm is one of the parasites of
vertebrate animals.
a. The scientific name of the parasite is TAENIA SOLIUM
B. The larva stage of the beef tape worm is called
- Cystcercus bovis

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c. Four dangers of beef tapeworms are:

i. They suck blood leading to anemia
ii. They may cause blindness if they attack eyes
iii. Blocks the intestine hence it can cause death
iv. Cause inflammation if it attacks the tongue.
d. Humans can control beef tape worms by:
- Eating food that is well inspected by animal scientists
- Boiling the foods thoroughly.
134. Name the phylum and class of tapeworms.
Phylum – platyhelmithes.
Class – cestoda
135. State the advantages and disadvantages of the
exoskeleton in arthropods.
Advantages
- The exoskeleton protects the organism from external
environment.
- the exoskeleton protects the underlying vulnerable
parts.
Disadvantages
- The exoskeleton slows the process of molting in an
organism.
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- It restricts growth of an organism.

136. Outline the important stages in the life cycle of a
plasmodium in the correct order.
Infection in form of sporozoites asexual reproduction
to form mesozoites sexual production to form
gametocytes gametocytes form zygotes called
ookinites.
137. State the class to which the following belong
a) Mollusca – gastropods
b) Most fish in lake Malawi – osteichthyes
138. . Suppose you find a myriapoda with 32 pairs of
legs
a) If this was a centipede, how many segments would
be there?
- (32 ÷2) = 16 segments
b) Which class do myriapoda belong?
- Arthropoda
139. How do caecilians and sirens differ from
Anura?
- Caecilians and sirens do not have legs while Anura
have legs.

Page 57 of 65
- Caecilians have a tail while Anura does not have a

tail.
140. Describe adaptation features which enable aves
to fly. (5)
- They have feathers. These feathers provide lift in
gliding or flight and it also conserves heat.
- They have a lightweight skeleton. This helps the aves
in lift.
- They have sufficient respiration. This helps in
continual flow of energy to the tissues hence enabling
them to fly.
- They are endothermic. Their ability to control
internal temperature, enables them to fly in regardless of
the external temperatures.
- Presence of the red breast muscles enables the aves to
control sustained activity, hence enabling them to fly in
any environment.
141. Why do snakes have excellent sense of smell?
-to protect itself from predators
-to hunt prey
142. What are the three examples of unusual
mammals? And why?

Page 58 of 65
- Marsupials
- Monotremes
- Placenta mammals
143. Name the following

a) Nematode that is transmitted through ingesting
contaminated soil and often causes painful itching
around the anus in small children.
- Round Worms
b) An adult worm for Cystcercus Bovis?
- Taenia saginata
144. . Write short notes on the following:
a. Poriferans
- These are sponges. Members of phylum porifera. They
reproduce asexually by means of binary fission. Amoeba
are examples.
b. Monotremes
- These are egg laying mammals. Have a well-developed
nervous system. They have a four chambered heart.
c. Urochordata
- These are marine invertebrates which belong to the
phylum of chordata. Jelly fish, star fish are examples.

Page 59 of 65
d. Chordate characteristics
- These are deuterostomes with bilateral symmetry and
they have three germ layers. A human being is an
example of vertebrate.
e. Amphibians
- These go through metamorphosis, a transition from lava
to adult. They respire through the skin.
145. Explain how animals are classified based on the
following:
a. Body symmetry
- Animals are classified based on radial, bi-lateral
and asymmetrical body patterns.
- Radial body pattern is where multiple plane is
drawn on an animal where mirrors are produced
include jelly fish.
- Bi-lateral pattern is where a single plane is drawn
on an animal and two equal left and right parts are
produced e.g. a human being.
- Asymmetrical pattern is where a body grows
without a regular pattern.
b. Body cavity
- Animals are classified based on the coelom present
i.e. acoelomates, pseudocoelomates and coelomates
c. Notochord

Page 60 of 65
- Some animals have a longitudinal rod; firm and

flexible, but it supports the body. E.g. sharks
- Some animals don’t have the skeletal rod e.g. dogs.
146. State the phyla to which each of the following

belong
a. Roundworms – phylum nematode
b. Snails – phylum Mollusca
c. Paramecium – phylum porifera
d. Mosquitoes – arthropods (class sporozoa)
147. List any three orders of class of animals under

class amphibian.
- Apoda (without legs)
- Caudata (with tail)
- Anura (without a tail)
- Sirens (without legs)
148. Describe the four characteristics of animals
under phylum chordata
- Triploblastic animals
- They are acoelomates.
- They are bilateral.
- They produce sexually.

Page 61 of 65
149. Discuss how cnidarians obtain their nutritional

requirements.
- Cnidarians have tentacles which contain
nematocysts used to attack prey or gain food.
150. Discuss how the sponges (porifera) obtain their

nutritional requirement.
- Sponges use the pores which are found around its
body. Water flowing in the body, aided by the
flagella, helps the pores to catch food.
151. Differentiate between asconoids and sconoids

based on their general structure.
- Asconoids (sponges) don’t have organs and true
cell tissues while sconoids have organs and true
cell tissues.
152. Name the phyla to which each belong

a. Cestoda – phylum nematode
b. Anthozoa – phylum cnidarians
c. Gastropoda – phylum molluska
153. How do marsupials, Monotremes and placenta

mammals differ in terms of embryo
nourishment.

Page 62 of 65
a. Marsupials – by pouching, where an embryo is

nourished by the fluid and yolk present.
b. Monotremes – they lay eggs. And the embryo feeds
on the yolk present.
c. Placenta mammals – by diffusion i.e. water and other
nourishments diffuse across the placenta.
154. Dentition is one of the distinguishing characters

between mammals and reptiles. Explain the
significance of the different dentitions in
relation to evolutionary relatedness of
mammalians and reptiles based on the
vertebrae family tree.
- Different arrangement of teeth, helps in processing

food in animals.
- Carnivores have sharp teeth for tearing fresh.
- Herbivores have broad teeth for gliding tough plant
material.
- Omnivores have all types of teeth (incisors,
canines, molars and premolars) necessary for
tearing fresh and gliding tough plant material.
155. How many segments do each of the following

has?
a. The 28 legged diplopod

Page 63 of 65
If 2 pairs of legs = 1 segment

14 pairs = 𝑥 segments
𝑥 = 7 segments
b. The 26 legged centipede

If 2 legs = 1 segment
26 legs = 𝑥 segments
𝑥 = 13 segments
156. State three places of mammalian glands in

mammals.
a. Neck
b. Groins
c. In the brain
157. State the three classes of triploblastic animals.

- Class Mammalia
- Class Tretoda
- Class Cestoda
158. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words
according to zoology.
a. The process of fertilizing eggs in fish is called
twitting.

Page 64 of 65
b. The sponges use the pores which are found

outside the body to eject water after filter
feeding.
c. Hermaphrodites are also called bi-sexual
organisms.
159. What are the two shapes of cinidaria?
- Polyp
- Medusa
160. Give two classes of myriapods and their
characteristics.
a) Chilopoda
- Use their many legs to run from enemies.
- They have one pair of leg on each segement
- They are predators.
b) Diplopoda
- It rolls their bodies when they sense danger
approaching.
- They have two pairs of legs on each body parts
- They feed on plants.

Page 65 of 65
“NO GENIUS IS BORN BUT CREATED

THROUGH HARD WORK.”
“KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT APPLICATION

IS USELESS.”
“CHAMPIONS ARE NOT MADE IN GYMS.

CHAMPIONS ARE MADE FROM
SOMETHING THEY HAVE INSIDE THEM –
A DESIRE, A DREAM, A VISION.”

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BIOLOGY

(DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS)

TRUST THE PROCESS

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

2. How does a fluorescence microscope produce

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

- Fluorescence microscope uses the ability of an

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- This refers to the distance between the front lens

10. Differentiate simple and compound

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- A simple microscope has a highest magnification

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- Oil immersion shortens the working distance

12. How does a scanning microscope differ from a

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

14. The field of view of a × 𝟏𝟎 ocular and ×

15. If the ocular lens of a microscope is × 𝟏𝟎 and

𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠 × 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

18. The wheel under the stage that adjusts the

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

22. What do phase contrast and dark field

24. Which objective provides the greatest depth

26. How does oil immersion help in achieving

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

due to refraction. This helps lighter rays to be go

27. Briefly explain why the knowledge on the

28. State four factors that help in improving

29. Describe the advantage of using a stereoscopic

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

- Provides a large field of view and large depth of

30. Differentiate simple from differential staining

32. Differentiate the two types of specimen

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

is applied in order to deactivate chemical

34. What are the three branches of microscope?

35. Who invented the compound microscope?

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

37. Define the term parfocal.

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41. Differentiate wet mounts and dry fixation as

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47. How does a bright field microscope produce

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49. How does an electron microscope produce an

50. What happens on phase contrast

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TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

e) Regulation of calcium levels=> endoplasmic

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

released into cytoplasm. Therefore, peroxisome neutralize

- It is composed of bilayer of phospholipid molecules and

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consisting of oligosaccharide molecules projecting from

TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.

respiration sites, they also have small rings of DNA called

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TEAM LEGENDS Never DREAM for success, WORK for it.