Biology Pp1 Questions 1996-2016: Whatsapp/Sms/Call at 0706 851 439 For Marking Schemes 2006-2016

BIOLOGY PP1 QUESTIONS
1996-2016
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2006-2016
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 1995
QUESTIONS
SECTION A (20 MARKS)

Answer all questions in this section in spaces provided
1. Motor vehicles move, use energy and produce carbon dioxide and water. Similar characteristics occur in
living organisms yet motor vehicles are not classified as living
( 3 mks)
2. Name the organelle that performs each of the following functions in a cell
( 2 mks)
Proteins synthesis
Transport of cell secretions
3. State two ways in which some fungi are harmful to man ( 2 mks)
4. Explain what would happen to red blood cells if they are placed in a concentrated
salt solution ( 2 mks)
5. State the role of light photosynthesis ( 2 mks)
6. The diagram below represents a fern
B
B
Name
(a) The parts labeled A and B ( 2 mks)
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(b) The division to which the plant belongs ( 1 mk)
7. Complete the table below on mineral nutrition in plants ( 3 mks)
Mineral element Function Deficiency symptoms

Synthesis of proteins and Stunted growth and
protoplasm yellowing of leaves
Calcium
Forms part of chlorophyll Yellowing of leaves
8. Explain why Larmacks theory of evolution is not accepted by biologists today

( 2 mks)
9. name a is disorder of human blood that is caused by mutation ( 1 mk)
SECTION B (40 MARKS)
10. An experiment was carried out to investigate the rate of reaction shown below
Sucrose →Fructose + Glucose
For the products fructose and glucose to be formed, it was found that substance K was to
be added and the temperature maintained at 370C. When another substance L was added,
the reaction slowed down and eventually stopped.
(a) Suggest the identify of substances K and L ( 2 mks)

(b) Other than temperature state three ways by which the rate
of reaction could be increased ( 3 mks)
(c) Explain how substance L slowed down the reaction ( 2 mks)
11. The diagram below represents a transverse section of a young stem
(a) Name the parts labeled A and B ( 2 mks)

(b) State the functions of the parts labeled C, D and E ( 4 mks)
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(c) List three differences between the section shown above and one that would
be obtained from the root of the same plant ( 3 mks)
12. The diagram below shows an experimental soil up to investigate an aspect

of germination
Red dye
Sodium hydroxide
pellets
Dry cotton wool
Germinatin bean seeds

Moist cotton wool
(a) Why are sodium hydroxide pellets used in this experiment? (1 mk)
(b) Why is moist cotton wool used in this experiment? (1 mk)
(c) (i) By means of an arrow, indicate on the diagram the direction in which red
dye would move during the experiment. (1 mk)
(ii) Give reasons for your answer in (c) (i) above (3 mks)
13. The chart below shows a feeding relationship in a certain ecosystem
Grasshopper → Lizards → Snakes
Green plants Hawks
Mice Domestic cats
(a) Construct two food chains ending with a tertiary consumer in each case ( 2 mks)
(b) Which organism has the largest variety of predators in the food web?
(1 mk)
(c) Name secondary consumers in food web (2 mks)
(d) Suggest three ways in which the ecosystem would be affected in there
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was a prolonged drought.
14. The diagram below represents growing seedlings which were subjected to
unilateral light at the beginning of an experiment
Tin foil
Light
Box painted
black inside
(a) (i) State the results of P,Q and R after 5 days? ( 5 mks)
(ii) Account for your answer in (a) (i) above ( 3 mks)
(b) If the tin foil were removed from the tip of the seedling R, what
results would be observed after 2 days? (1 mk)
(c) State the expected results after 3 days if the box were removed
( 1 mk)
SECTION C (40 Marks)

Answer questions 15 (compulsory) in the spaces provided
15. The graph below represents the increase in the number of yeast cells over a
period of 48 minute
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(a) Name the type of curve shown ( 1 mk)
(b) Determine the number of yeast cells after 26 minutes ( 1 mk)
(c) Work out the rate of cell division between 24 and 28 minutes
( 2 mks)
(d) After how long was the population of yeast cells 128? (1 mk)
(e) Name the phase of the curve labeled
(i) A to B
(ii) B to C
(f) Give reasons for the shape of the graph between points C and D
( 3 mks)
(g) State five factors, which would cause human population
growth to assume the shape of the graph curve between points B
and C ( 5 mks)
(h) Describe how the quadrat method can be used to estimate the
population of various species of plants in a given habitat ( 5 mks)
16. (a) Describe how insect pollinated flowers are adapted to pollination
(b) Describe the role or each of the following hormones in the human
menstrual cycle
(i) Oestrogen
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(ii) Progesterone
(iii) Luteinising hormone ( 9 mks)
17. Describe how excretion takes place in

(i) Mammalian Kidneys
(ii) Green plants ( 5 mks)
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 1995
QUESTIONS
1. State the function of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule ( 1mk)
2. State two ways by which acquired Immune deficiency syndrome (A.I.D.S)

Virus is transmitted. ( 2 mks)
3. When is glycogen which is stored in the liver converted into glucose and
released into the blood ( 1 mk)
4. Name the disease in humans that is caused by lack of vitamin C ( 1 mk)
5. An organ is with an exoskeleton, segmented body, two pairs of legs

per segment, a pair of eyes and a pair short antennae belongs to the
phylum ( 1 mk)
6. What are two organisms considered to belong to the same species ( 2 mks)
7. (a) state the role of light in the process of photosynthesis ( 1 mk)

(b) Name one end product of dark reaction in photosynthesis ( 1 mk)
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8. State two functions of cell sap ( 2 mks)
9. State three characteristics that ensure cross – pollination takes place in

flowering plants (3 mks)
10. A student set up an experiment as shown in the diagrams below
Pyrogallic
acid Seeds
Seeds Wet cotton wool

Wet cotton B
wool A
The set up was at room temperature for a week

(a) What was the aim of the experiment? ( 1 mk)
(b) What would be the expected results at the end of the experiment ( 2 mks)
11. Give a reason why it is only mutation in genes of gametes that can influence
evolution ( 1 mk)
12. Give a reason why it is necessary for frogs to lay many eggs ( 1 mk)
13. The diagram below shows a set – up that was used to demonstrate
Fermentation
Delivery tube
Oil
Lime water
Glucose solution
and yeast
suspension
A B
Glucose solution was boiled and oil added on top of it. The glucose solution
was then allowed to cool before suspension.
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(a) Why was the glucose solution boiled before adding the yeast
Suspension? ( 1 mk)
(b) What was the importance of cooling the glucose solution before
adding the yeast suspension? ( 1 mk)
(c) What was the use of oil in the experiment? ( 1 mk)
(d) What observation would be made in test tube B at the end of

the experiment? ( 1 mk)
(e) Suggest a control for this experiment ( 1mk)
14. (a) Describe the path taken by carbon dioxide released from the tissue
of an insect to the atmosphere ( 3 mks)
(b) Name two structures used for gaseous exchange implants ( 2 mks)
15. To estimate the population size of crabs in a certain lagoon, traps were laid at random. 400
crabs were caught, marked and released back into the lagoon. Four days later, traps were
laid again and crabs were caught. Out of the 374 crabs, 80 were found to be marked.
(a) calculate the population size of the crabs in the lagoon using the formula below
N= n x M
M
Where N = Total population of crabs in the lagoon

n = Total number of crabs in the second catch
M = Number of marked crabs during the first
m= Number of marked crabs in the second catch ( 2 mks)
(b) State two assumptions that were made during the investigation ( 2 mks)
(c) What is the name given to this method of estimating the

population size ( 1 mk)
16. A shoot of seedling exposed to light on one side bends towards the source
of light as it grows
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(a) Name the response exhibited by the shoot of the seedling ( 1 mk)
(b) Explain how the bending towards the source of light occurs (3 mks)
17. (a) How may excessive bleeding results in death? ( 4 mks)

(b) Name the process by which the human body naturally stops
Bleeding? (1 mk)
(c) How can low blood volume be brought back to normal ( 3mks)
18. In an experiment black mice were crossed and the offspring were back
and brown. The gene for black colour is dominant over that of brown colour.
Using letter B to represent the gene for black colour and b to represent the
gene for brown colour
(a) Work out the genotypes of the F1 generation ( 4 mks)

(b) What is the phenotype ration of the spring ( 1 mk)
19. The diagram below represents then pathways of water from the soil into the plant.
Firm of water around

soil particle
Soil
(a) Name the structures labeled K and L. ( 2 mks)

(b) Explain how water from the soil reaches the structure labeled L. (5 mks)
(c) Name the process by which mineral salts enter into the plant ( 1 mk)
20. A culture of bacteria was incubated in nutrient agar at 350C. Samples were
taken at intervals in order to estimate the number of bacteria in the population.
The data obtained is shown in the graph below.
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(a) When was the pollution of bacteria 350 million
(b) Account for the shape of the graph between

(i) A and B
(ii) B and C
(iii) C and D
(c) Give three reasons for the shape of the curve between D and E
(d) (i) Suggest what would happen to the population of the bacteria if the
temperature was lowered to 00 after incubating for 12 hours.
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (d) (i) above
(e) Give three reasons why it is important to control human population

growth rate in Kenya?
21. Explain how the mammalian skin is adapted to perform its functions ( 20 mks)
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22. Describe how new plants arise by asexual reproduction ( 20 mks)
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 1997
QUESTIONS
SECTION A
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided
1. State the functions of the following cell organelles

(a) Golgi apparatus
(b) Ribosomes
2. A student caught an animal which had the following characteristics:

Body divide into two parts
Simple eyes
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Eight legs
The animal belong to the class
3. What are the three end products of anaerobic respiration in plants
4. state two ways in which xylem vessels are adapted to their function
5. In an accident a victim suffered brain injury. Consequently he had loss of

memory. Which part of the brain was damaged?
6. Oil can be applied on the stagnant water to control the spread of malaria.
(a) How does this practice control the spread of malaria?
(b) Give a reason why this practice should be discouraged
7. State three structural differences between biceps muscles of the gut.

Biceps Gut Muscles
Striated Unstriated
Multinucleated Uninucleated
Long fibres Short fibres
Cylindrical Spindle shaped
8. A person was found to pass out large volumes of dilute urine frequently.
Name the
(a) Disease the person was suffering from
(b) Hormone that was deficient
9. state three pieces of evidence that support the theory of evolution
10. Name a disease caused by lack of each of the following in human diet.
Vitamin D
Iodine
11. The following below represents a feeding relationship in an ecosystem
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(a) Write down the food chains in which the guinea fowls are secondary consumers
(b) What would be the short term effects on the ecosystem if lions invaded the area?
(c) Name the organism through which energy from the sun enters the
food web.
12. A person was able to read a book clearly at arm’s length but at normal reading distance.
(a) State the detect the person suffered from?

(b) Why was he unable to read book clearly at normal distance
(c) How can the defect be corrected?
13. An experiment was carried out to determine the rate of transpiration in three plants
A, B and C. Plants, A and B belonged to different species while plants B and C
belonged to the same species. Plant C had all its leaves removed. The three
plants were of similar size and were exposed to the same environment conditions.
The results are as shown below in the graphs below
Weight of
plants (gm)
Time (in minutes)
(a) Suggest possible environment conditions under which the experiment

was carried out between 30 and 60 minutes
(b) Account for the results obtained for plant C
(c) Suggest the habitat for plant A and B. Give reasons for your answer.
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Habitat for plant A
Habitat for plant B
14. The diagram below represents a simplified nitrogen cycle.
(a) Name the organisms that cause process E and J

(b) Name the process represented by F and H.
(c) Name the group of organism represented by G
15. The equation below represent a metabolic that occurs in the mammalian live
Amino acids →Organic compounds + urea
(a) Name the process.

(b) What is the importance of the process to the mammal?
(c) What is the source of amino acids in this process
(d) What is the difference between essential and nonessential amino acids?
16. In a breeding experiment, plants with red flowers were crossed. The produced 123
plants with red flowers and 41 with white flowers
(a) Identify the recessive character

Give a reason
(b) What was the genotype of the parent plants that gave rise to the plants
with a red and white flowers?
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17. Figures 1 and 2 below represent reproductive organ of plants and an
animal respectively.
U Kidney
W X
T
P
R
Q
S
Y
Fig 1 N
Fig 2
(a) Which letters in figures 1 and 2 represents the organs that produce
female gametes?
Figure 1
Figure 2
(b) What is the function of the structure labeled S?

(c) Name the structure labeled W
(d) Which letters in figures 1 and 2 represents the structures where fertilization
takes place
(e) Which letter in figure 1 represents the structure where male gametes
are produced?
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SECTION C (40 marks)
18. An experiment was carried out to determine the growth rates of bamboo and a variety of maize
plants in two adjacent plots. The average height and average
dry weight of plants from the two populations were determined over a period of twenty
weeks. The data is as shown in the table below.
Bamboo Maize
Age in weeks Average height Average Average height Average
(Metres) weight (Metres) weight
(Grams) (Grams)
2 1.3 52 0.3 20
4 4.0 182 0.5 29
6 8.2 445 0.8 57
8 12.1 682 1.2 78
10 13.9 801 1.7 172
12 14.1 957 1.9 420
14 14.3 1025 2.1 704
16 14.4 1062 2.1 895
18 14.6 1127 2.1 926
20 14.6 1229 2.1 908
(a) Between which two weeks did the greatest increase in weight occur in
(b) Bamboo plants
(ii) Maize plants
(b) (i) Which of the two types of plants had a higher productivity by the end
of the experiment
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i) above
(c) Between weeks 14 and 18, the average height of the maize plants
remained constant while average dry weight increased.
Explain this observation
(d) Suggest how the change in the average dry weight bamboo and maize
Plants would have been at week 22 if the experiment was continued.
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(e) Why was it appropriate for this experiment to use
(i) Dry weight instead of fresh weight
(ii) Weight and height
(f) Describe how the average height and weight of the plants were determined
in this experiment.
Average height
Average dry Weight
(g) Give a reason why secondary thickening does not occur in bamboo and
maize plants
19. (a) What is parasitism?

(b) Describe how the tapeworm is adapted to a parasitic mode of life
20. (a) What is meant by the term digestion?

(b) Describe how the mammalian small intestine is adapted to its function
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 1998
QUESTIONS
1. Why are people with blood group O universal donors?
2. State one effect of magnesium deficiency in green plants
3. Which organelle would be abundant in:

Skeletal muscle cell
Palisade cell
4. Why are gills in fish highly vascularized?
5. What is the relationship between leguminous plants and bacteria found in their
root modules?
6. In an experiment it was found that when maggots are exposed to light they move
to dark areas.
(a) Name the type of response exhibited by the maggots

(b) Name the advantages of the response to the maggots
7. The diagram below represents a mammalian bone
(a) Name the bone

(b) Name the type of the joint formed by the bone at its anterior end with
the adjacent bone
8. A flower was found to have the following characteristics:

Inconspicuous petals
Long feathery stigma
Small, light pollen grains
(a) What is the likely agent of pollination of the flower

(b) What is the significance of the long feathery stigma in the flower?
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9. What makes young herbaceous plant remain upright?
10. Give two reasons why primary productivity in an aquatic ecosystem decreases
with depth.
11. State two ways by which the human immuno deficiency (H.I.V) is transmitted
other than through sexual intercourse?
12. In a family with four children, three were found to have normal skin pigmentation
while one was an albino.
Using letter A to represent gene for normal skin pigmentation and a to represent
the gene for albinism,
(a) What are the genotypes of the parents?

(b) Work out the genotype of
(i) Normal pigmentation

(ii) The albino child
Genotype of normal pigmented children
(c) What is the probability that the fifth child will be an albino?
13. (a) List four differences between meiosis and mitosis
(b) Which sex chromosomes are found in human?

Sperm cell?
Ova?
14. In an experiment to investigate a factor affecting photosynthesis, a leaf of a

potted plant which had been kept in the dark overnight was covered with
aluminum foil as shown in the diagram below
Alluminium foil
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The set up was kept in sunlight for three hours after which a food test was
carried out on the leaf.
(a) Which factor was being investigated in the experiment?

(b) What food test was carried out?
(c) (i) State the results of the food test
(ii) Account for the results in c (i) above
(d) Why was it necessary to keep the plant in darkness; before the experiment?
15. The herbivorous mammalian species were introduced into an ecosystem at the same
time and in equal numbers. The graph below represents their populations during
the first seven years. Study the graph and answer the questions that follow.
(a) (i) Which species has a better competitive ability?

(ii) Give reason for your answer
(b) Account for the shape of the curve species A between

(i) One year and three years
(ii) Three years and seven years
(c) A natural predator for species A was introduced into the ecosystem.
With a reason state how the population of each species would be affected.
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16. A student placed a drop of pond water in a cavity slide and observed it under the microscope.
The student observed many fast moving organisms, one of which is represented in the diagram
below.
nucleus
(a) (i) Name the phylum to which the organism belongs

(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (a) (i) above
(b) Name the structures labeled N, P and Q.

(c) State two observable features that enable the organism to move fast.
17. The diagram below represents a nerve cell.
Cell body
Receptor T
(a) (i) Identify the nerve cell.

(ii) Give a reason your answer in (a) (i) above
(b) Name the structure labeled T
(c) Using an arrow indicate on the diagram the direction of movement of an

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impulse in the cell.
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18. A hungry person had a meal, after which the concentration of glucose and amino acids in the
blood were determined. This was measured hourly as the blood passed through the hepatic
portal vein and the iliac vein in the leg. The results were as shown in the table below.
Concentration of Concentration of
Time contents in hepatic contents in the
(Hrs) portal vein iliac vein of the
(mg/100ml) leg (mg/100ml)
Glucose Amino acids Glucose Amino Acids

0 85 1.0 85 1.0
1 85 1.0 85 1.0
2 140 1.0 125 1.0
3 130 1.5 110 1.5
4 110 1.5 90 3.0
5 90 3.0 90 2.0
6 90 2.0 90 1.0
7 90 1.0 90 1.0
1.0
(a) Using the same axes draw graphs of concentration of glucose in the heptic portal
vein and the iliac vein in the leg against time
(b) Account for the concentration of glucose in the hepatic vein from:
(i) 0/1 hour
(ii) 1-2 hour
(iii) 2- 4 hours
(iv) 5 – 7 hours
(c) Account for the difference in the concentration of glucose in hepatic portal
vein and the iliac vein between 2 and 4 hours.
(d) Using the data provided in the table explain why the concentration of amino
acids in the hepatic portal vein took longer to increase.
19. Discuss the various evidences, which show that evolution has taken place.
20. Explain how the mammalian intestines are adapted to perform their function.
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 1999
QUESTIONS
SECTION A
1. Name two processes that bring about the translocation of manufactured food
2. Give two reasons why accumulation of lactic acid during vigorous exercise
leads to an increase in heartbeat.
3. Explain why sexual reproduction is important in organisms
4. State two advantages of natural selection to organisms
5. Suggest tree reasons why green plants are included in a fish aquararium.
6. State three ways by which plants compensate for lack of ability to move from
one place to another.
7. An investigation plants with red flowers were crossed with plants with
white flowers.
All the plants in the F1 generation had pink flowers.
a) Give a reason for the appearance of pink flowers in the F1 generation.
b) If the plants the F1 generation were selfed, state the phenotypic ratio of
the F2 generation.
8. State two disadvantages of self-pollination.
9. The diagram below shows surface view of a human brain.
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a) Name the parts labeled B and C.
b) State three functions of the part labelled A
c) State what would happen if the part labeled B was damaged.
10. Below is a list of organisms, which belong to classes Insecta, Myriapoda and Archnida: Tick,
centipede, praying mantis, tsetse fly, millipede and spider.
Place the organisms in their respective classes in the table below.
Give reason in each case.
Classes Organisms Reasons
Insecta
Myriapoda
Arachnida
11. Give reasons for each of the following:

a) Constant body temperature is maintained in mammals.
b) Low blood sugar level is harmful to the body.
12. A student set up an experiment as shown in the diagram below.
Cork
Wet cotton Cotyledons

wool
Bean seedling
Glass container Markings
Radical
At the start
a) i) What is being investigated in the experiment?

ii) On the diagram below indicate the expected results after three days.
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iii) Why was it necessary to have wet cotton wool in the containe?
b) What is the role of the following to a germinating seed/
i) Oxygen
ii) Cotyledons.
13. a) Distinguish between a community and population.

b) Describe how population of grasshoppers in a given area can be estimated.
14. The photograph below represents a blood smear obtained from a person
Suffering from a certain disease.
a) Name the structure labeled X.

b) i) Name the structure labeled L
ii) State the function of the source labeled M
c) What disease was the person suffering from?
d) List three ways by which micro-organisms enter the human body.
SECTION C (40 MARKS)
15. An experiment was carried out to investigate haemolysis of human red blood cells. The red
blood cells were placed in different concentrations of sodium chloride solution. The
percentage of haemolysed cells was determined. The results were as shown in the table
below.
Salt concentration 0.33 0.36 0.38 0.39 0.42 0.44 0.48

g/100cm3 (%)
Red blood cells 100 91 82 69 30 15 0
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Haemolysed (%)
a) i) On the grid provided, plot a graph of harmolysed red blood cells

against salt concentration.
ii) at what concentration of salt solution was the proportion of haemolysed

cells equal to non-haemolysed cells?
iii) State the percentage of cells haemolysed at salt concentration of 0.45%
b) Account for the results obtained at:

i) 0.33 percent salt concentration.
ii) 0.48 percent salt concentration.
c) What would happen to the red blood cells if they were placed in 0.50 percent
salt solution?
d) Explain what would happen to onion epidermal cells if they were placed in
distilled water.
16. Describe the:

a) Process of inhalation in mammals.
b) Mechanisms of opening and closing of stomata in plants.
17. Explain how the various activities of man have caused pollution of air.
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2000
QUESTIONS
1. What is the function of the following cells in the retina of human eye ? Cones
2. Give a reason why two species in ecosystems cannot occupy the same niche.
3. State two ways in which some fungi are beneficial to humans
4. State two ways in which some fungi are beneficial to humans.
5. State the importance of osmo-regulation in organisms
6. Give a reason why lumbar vertebrae have long and broad transverse process
7. Give reason why each of the following is important in the study of evolution:
a) Fossils records
b) Comparative anatomy.
8. Why is oxygen important in the process of active transport in cells?
9. State two advantages of metamorphosis to the life of insects.
10. Explain how birds of prey are adapted to obtaining their food.
SECTION B
11. The diagram below represents a section of a leaf.
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(b) Name the parts labeled X, and Y
(c) Using arrows indicate on the diagram the direction of flow of water
during the transpiration stream
(d) State two ways in which the leaf is suited to gaseous exchange
12. The chart below represents the result of successive crosses, staring with red- flowered plants and
white flowed plants and in which both plants are pure breeding.
Parental genotypes: Red flowers x white flowers
First final generation
Selfed
Second final generation
3 red flowers: 1 white flower

3: 1
(a) What were parental genotype? Use letter R to represent the gene for
red colour and r for white colour
(b) (i) What was the colour of the flowers in the first filial generation?
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in b (i) above
(c) If 480 red flowered plants were obtained in the second filial generation,
how many F2 plants and white flowers? Show your working.
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13. The temperature of a person was taken before, during and after taking a
cold bath. The results are shown in the graph below
Temperature (0c)
Time (minutes)
(a) Explain why the temperature fell during bath
(b) What changes occurred in the skin that enabled the body temperature to
return to normal?
14. (a) Name the crop infested by phytophthora infestans and the disease it causes
Crop / Disease
(b) State four control measures against the disease
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15. The concentration of the lactic acid in blood during and after an exercise was determined. The results
are shown in the graph below
(a) (i) By how much did the lactic acid increase at the end of 13 minutes?
(ii) After how many minutes was the lactic acid concentration 71mg/
100cm3?
(iii) What would be the concentration of lactic acid at the 60th minute?
(b) Give a reason for the high rate of production of lactic acid during the
Exercise
(c) Give a reason for the decrease in the concentration of lactic acid after the
exercise
16. (a) What is the significance of sexual reproduction?
(b) State three advantages of asexual reproduction
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17. The numbers of different types of animals supported by a square kilometer in two terrestrial
ecosystems are shown in the table below
Type of ecosystem Type of animal Number of animals

supported per sq. km
Acacia savannah Domestic animals
Cattle 7
Goat 30
Sheep 10
Bush land Wild games
Thomsons’s gazelles 450
Eland 20
Wildebeest 60
Domestic animals
Cattle 2
Goats 15
Sheep 5
Wild game
Thomson’s gazelles 200
Eland 12
Wildebeest 10
(a) (i) Which domestic animal is better adapted to both ecosystems?

(ii) Give a reason why the animal named in (a) (i) above is better adapted to
the two ecosystems.
(b) Why are cattle and sheep fewer in the bush land than in the savannah?
(c) (i) Name suitable methods that were used to estimate the population of:
Domestic animals
Wild animals
(ii) Give a reason why the method named for wild animals in (c) (i) above
is suitable
(d) state three methods which could be used to determine the diet of wild animals
in an ecosystem
(e) Name four biotic factors that could have regulated the animal population
in both ecosystems
(f) State four human activities that affect population of animals in game parks
(g) What is the importance of national park to a nation?
18. describe the role of hormones in the human menstrual cycle
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19. how are leaves of mesophytes suited to their functions
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2001
QUESTIONS
1. Other than having many features in common, state the other characteristics
of a species
2. Why are green plants referred to as primary producers in an ecosystem?
3. A person whose blood groups is AB requires a blood transfusion. Name the

blood groups of the donors.
4. Name the parts of the flower that are responsible the production of gametes
5. State two functions of muscles found in the alimentary canal of mammals.
6. Adult elephants flap their ears twice as much as their calves in order to cool
their bodies when it is hot. Explain.
7. Name the organelle in which protein synthesis takes place
8. (a) The type of circulatory system found in members of the class insecta is
(b) Name the blood vessel that transports blood from:

(i) Small intestines to the liver
(ii) Lungs to the heart
9. Name three types of chromosomal mutations
10. Name three sites where gaseous exchange takes place in terrestrial plants.
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SECTION B
11. The diagram below represents a mammalian nephron
Q
P
R
(a) Name the

(i) Structure labeled P
(ii) Portion of the nephron between point X and Y
(b) Name the process that takes place at point Q
(c) Name one substance present at point R but absent at point S in a

healthy mammal
(d) The appearance of the substance you have mentioned in (c) above is
a symptom of a certain disease caused by a hormone deficiency. Name the
(i) Disease
(ii) Hormone
(e) State the structural modifications of nephrons found in the desert mammals
12. The graph below shows the effect of substance concentration of the rate of
enzyme reaction.
Rate of reaction
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Substrate concentration
(a) (i) Account for the shape of the graph between A and B
(ii) B and C
(b) How can the rate of reaction be increased after point B?

(c) State two other factors that effect the rate of reaction of enzyme reaction
13. The diagram below represents the nitrogen cycle
(a) State the process labeled

A
D
(b) Name the compound represented by B
(c) Name the group of organisms labeled C
(d) (i) name the group of plants which promote process A

(ii) State the part of the plant where process A takes place
(e) How would excess pesticides in the soil interfere with process A
14. Tallness in pea plants is due to a dominant gene

Two tall pea plants were crossed and their F1 generation were in the ratio of
3 tall: 1 short. Using letter T to represents the gene for tallness and t for
shortness give the
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(a) (i) genotype of the parents
(ii) Gamete of the parents
(iii) Genotype ratio of the F1 generation
(b) What is meant by the term testcross in genetic studies?
15. The diagram below represents a set up to investigate the conditions necessary
for seed germination.
Unsoaked
Soaked Soaked seeds
seeds seeds
Moist Dry cotton
Moist cotton
cotton wool wool
wool
At room At 00C At room
temperature temperature
The set up was left for 7 days
(a) What conditions were being investigated in the experiment?

(b) State three reasons for soaking seeds in set ups A and B
(c) What were the expected results after seven days?
SECTION C
16. An experiment was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of two dry powder animals
feeds X and Y over a period of six months. Twenty 5 month’s old castrated goats were use.
The goats were divided into two equal groups A and B.
The animal’s in group A were fed on feed X throughout the experiment while those of
group B were fed on feed Y.
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The feeds were supplemented with dry hay and water. The average body weight of each
group of goats and the weight of the dry powder feeds were determined and recorded each
month. The faeces produced by each group was dried and weighed and the average dry
faecal output per month was also recorded. The results are as shown below.
GROUP A GROUP B
Months since Average Average Average Average Average Average
commencement total weight monthly total weight of monthly
of the weight of of total dry faecal weight of total feed dry faecal
experiment goats ( kg) feed.(kg) output (kg) goats(kg) (kg) output ( kg)
0 20.4 26.7 10.5 20.5 35.4 16.5
1 22.5 27.5 10.7 19.5 34.3 17.7
2 24.5 25.8 10.3 19.0 35.2 17.2
3 26.3 18.5 8.8 18.5 36.1 17.5
4 28.0 16.6 7.2 17.1 36.0 16.9
5 29.4 16.3 6.0 16.3 35.8 16.8
6 29.5 16.1 5.6 15.6 35.5 16.6
(a) (i) What is the relationship between the amount of feed and the faecal
output
(ii) Work out the average increase in weight for the animal’s in group A during
The first four months
The last two months
(iii) Account for the average increase weight in goats in group A during the first four months
The last two months
(iv) Which of the two feeds is more nutritious?

Give reason for your answer
(b) State four uses of digested food in the bodies of animals

(c) State four uses of water in the bodies of animals
17. (a) State the functions of the following parts of the mammalian ear;
(i) Tympanic membrane
(ii) Eustachian tube
(iii) Ear ossicles
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(b) Describe how semicircular canals perform their functions
18. (a) Describe the process of fertilization in a flowering plant
(b) State the change that take place in a flower after fertilization
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2002
QUESTIONS
1. Beside the abdomen, name the other body part of members of Arachnida,
2. a) Name the bacteria found in the root nodules of leguminous plant

b) State the association of the bacteria named in (a) above with the leguminous plants.
3. a) State the function for co-factors in cell metabolism

b) Give one example of a metallic co – factor
4. During germination and early growth, the day weight of the endosperm decreases while that of the
embryo increases. Explain.
5. State two characters that researchers select in breeding programme.
6. In what form is oxygen transported from the lungs to the tissues?
7. Explain why the carrying of wild animals is higher than that for cattle in a given
piece of land.
8. Which type of joint is found at the articulations of

a) Pelvic girdle and femur
b) Humerus and ulna?
9. Name two gaseous exchange structures in higher plants.
10. What happens to excess fatty acids and glycerol in the body?
11. Give an example of a sex – linked trait in humans on:
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Y CHROMOSOME.
X CHROMOSOME.
12. The chart below represents a simplified carbon cycle.
Organic carbon compounds

in animals
Holozoic
Organisms
Carbon dioxide
x and y nutrition
gas
B
Organic carbon
compounds in plants
A
(a)Name the process labeled A,B, and C

A
B
C
b) Name the organisms X and Y

X Y
c) State the importance of carbon cycle in nature
13. The chart below shows the number of chromosomes before and after cell
division and fertilization in a mammal.
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a) What type of cell division takes place at Z
b) Where in the body of a female does process Z occur
c) On the chart, indicate the position of parents and gametes
d) Name the process that leads to addition or loss of one or more chromosomes.
e) State three benefits of polyploidy in plants to a farmer
14. a) What is organic evolution

b) State two ways in which Home sapiens differs from Homo habilis
c) Distinguish between divergent and convergent evolution giving
example in each case.
15. Ascaris lumbricoides in an example for an endo – parasite

a) The name Ascaris refers to
b) State the habitat of the organism
c) State three ways in which the organism is adapted to living in its habitat.
16. The diagram below represents part of phloem tissue.
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a) Name the structures labeled R and S and the cell labeled T.
R-
S-
Cell labeled T
b) State the function of the structure labeled S
c) Explain why xylem is a mechanical tissue
17. a) What structures are produced by sisal for vegetative propagation?

b) Give a reason for grafting in plants
c) State four advantages of vegetation propagation.
Time (minutes) Glucose level in blood(Mg / 100cm30

X Y
0 87 84
15 112 123
30 139 170
45 116 188
60 100 208
90 95 202
120 92 144
150 88 123
18. Two person X and Y drunk volumes of concentrated solution of glucose. The
amount of glucose in their food was determined at intervals. The results are
shown in the table below:
a) On the grid provided, plot graphs of glucose level in blood against time
on the same axes.
b) What was the concentration of glucose in the blood of X and Y at the

20th minute?
X = 120 + -3)
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Y = 140 +-3)
c) Suggest why the glucose level in person X stopped rising after 30 minutes
while it continued rising in person Y.
d) Account for the decrease in glucose level in person X after 30 minutes

and person Y after 60 minutes (3 minutes)
e) Name the compound that stores energy released during oxidation of glucose.
f) Explain what happens to excess amino acids and development of plants.
19. Describe the role of hormones in the growth and development of plants.
20. a) Name three types of skeletons found in multicellular animals

b) Describe how the cervical, lumbar and sacral vertebrae are suited to
their functions.
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2003
QUESTIONS
SECTION A (20 MARKS)

Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.
1. A process that occurs in plants is represented by the equation below.
C6H12O6 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + Energy
(Glucose) (Ethanol) (Carbon dioxide)
a) Name the process.

b) State the economic importance of the process named in (a) above
2. Name the phylum whose members possess notochord
3. How do the male gamete nuclei reach the ovule after pollen grains land
on the stigma?
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4. a) Name the bacteria found in root nodules of leguminous plants.
b) What is the role of the bacteria named in (a) above?
5. A bone obtained from a mammal is represented by the diagram below.
a) Name the bone.

b) Which bones articulate with the bone shown in the diagram at the notch?
6. Distinguish between analogous and homologous structures.

Analogous structures –
Homologous structures –
7. The diagram below represents regions of a root tip.
a) Name the tow regions above X in ascending order

b) State the function of the part labeled X
8. State a function of the large intestine in humans
9. Name the:
a) Material that strengthens xylem tissue.
b) Tissue that is removed when the bark of a dicotyledonous plant is ringed.
10. How are leaves of submerged adapted plants for photosynthesis?
11. Name the causative agent of typhoid.

12. a) What is meant by the term sex – linkage?

b) Name two sex – linked traits in humans.
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c) In Drosophila Melanogaster, the inheritance of eye colour is sex – linked.
The gene of red eye is dominant. A cross was made between a homozygous
red – eyed female and a white – eyed male. Work out the phenotypic ration
of F1 generation. (Use R to represent the gene for red eyes).
13. The diagram below shows gaseous exchange in tissues.
a) Name the gas that diffuses:

i) To the body cells
ii) From the body cells
b) Which compound dissociates to release the gas named in (a) (i) above?
c) i) what is tissue fluid?

ii) What is the importance of tissue fluid?
d) Name the blood vessel with the highest concentration of:

i) Glucose
ii) Carbon dioxide
14. a) Explain how marine fish regulate their osmotic pressure.

b) Explain the role of antidiuretic hormone when there is excess water
in the human body.
15. A response exhibited by a certain plant tendril is illustrated below.
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a) i) Name the type of response
ii) Explain how the response named in (a)(i) above occurs
b) What is the importance of tactic responses to microscopic plants?

c) State four applications of plant hormones in agriculture.
16. a) What is meant by:

i) Autecology
ii) Synecology?
b) The number and distribution of stomata on three different

leaves are shown in the table below:
Leaf Number of stomata

Upper epidermis Lower epidermis
A 300
B 150
C 02
Suggest the possible habitat of the plants from which the leaves were obtained
Leaf Habitat
A
B
C
(c) State the modifications found in the stomata of leaf C.
SECTION C (40 marks)

Answer question 17 (compulsory) in the spaces provided and either question 18 or 19
17. Some students used a model to demonstrate the effect of sweating on human
body temperature. Two boiling tubes A and B were filled with hot water. The
temperature of water in the tubes was taken at the start of the experiment and
then at 5 minutes interval. The surface of tube A was continuously wiped with
a piece of cotton wool soaked in methylated spirit. The results obtained are
shown in the table below.
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Time (minutes) Temperature 0C in tubes
A B
0 80 80
5 54 67
10 40 59
15 29 52
20 21 47
25 18 46
a) On the same axes, plot graphs of temperature of water in the tubes against time.
b) At what rate was the water – cooling in tube A?
c) Why was tube B included in the set up?
d) Account for the rate of cooling in tube A.
e) State two processes of heat loss in tube b.
f) What would be the expected results if tube A was insulated?
g) What would the insulation be comparable to in:
i) Bird
ii) Mammals?
h) Name the structures in the human body that detect:

i) External temperature changes
ii) Internal temperature changes
18. Describe the functions of the various parts of the human eye.
19. Describe how fruits and seeds are suited to their modes of dispersal.
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2004
QUESTIONS
Section A (20 marks)
1.a) Name the cartilage found between the bones of the vertebral column (1mk)
b) State the function of the cartilage named in (a) above (1mk)
2. Distinguish between natural and acquired immunity (2mks)
3. How is aerechyma tissue adapted to its function (2mks)

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4. Other than carbon dioxide, name other products of anaerobic respiration (2mks)
5. During which phase of meiosis does crossing over occur. (2mks)
6. The diagram below shows the position of an image formed in a defective eye.
a) Name the defect:

b) Explain how the defect named in (a) above can be corrected (2mks)
c)
7. State the function of the organelles:
a) Lysosomes (1mks)
b) Golgi apparatus (2mks)
8. Name the class in the phylum arthropoda which has the largest number
of individuals? (1mks)
9. Name two mineral elements that are necessary in the synthesis of chlorophyll. (2mks)
10. How are the xylem vessels adapted for support? (1mk)
11. Fruit formation without fertilization is called (1mk)
SECTION B ( 40 MARKS)
12. Across between a red flowered plant and white flowered produced plants
with pink flowers.
Using letter R to represent the gene for red colour , and W for white colour
a) What were the parental genotypes (1mks)
b) Workout a cross between F1 plants (4mks)
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c) Give the i) Phenotypic ratio of F2 plants (1mk)
ii) Genotypic ratio of F2 plants (1mk)
d) Name a characteristic in humans, which is controlled through a

mammalian heart?
13. The diagram below shows a vertical section through a mammalian heart.
F
E C
a) Name the parts labeled A, B, E and F (4mks)
b) Use arrows to show the direction in which blood flows in the heart. (2mks)
c) Give a reason why the wall of chamber C is thicker than

chamber D (2mks)
14. a) What is the difference between Darwinian and Lamarckian theories

of evolution? (2mks)
b) What is meant by the following terms? Give an example in each case.

i) Homologous structures
ii) Example
iii) Vestigial structures
Example (6mks)
15. a) Give the differences between the following structures in wind and
insect pollinated flowers. (3mks)
i) Anther
ii) Pollen grains
iii) Stigma (1mk)
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b) What is the importance of cross pollination? (1mk)
c) Explain how a seed is formed after an ovule is fertilized (4mks)
16. a) What is diffusion (2mks)
b) how do the following factors affect the rate of diffusion?

i) Diffusion gradient (1mk)
ii) Surface area volume ratio (1mk)
iii) Temperature (1mk)
c) Outliner three roles of active transport in the human body (3mks)
SECTION C (40MKS)
Answer question 17. (Compulsory) in the space provided and either question 18 or 19
17. During germination and growth of a cereal, the dry weight of endosperm, the
embryo and total dry weight were determined at two – day intervals.
The results are shown in the table below.
Time after planting Dry weight of Dry weight of Total dry weight
(days) endosperm embryo (mg ) (mg)
0 43 2 45
2 40 2 42
4 33 7 40
6 20 17 37
8 10 25 35
10 6 33 39
a) Using the same axes, draw graphs of dry weigh of endosperm, embryo and the
total dry weight against time (7mks)
b) What is the total dry weight on day 5?
c) Account for:
i) Decrease in dry weight of endosperm from day 0 to 10 (2mks)
ii) Increase in dry weight of embryo from day 0 day 10 (2mks)
iii) Decrease in total dry weight from day 0 to day 8 (2mks)
iv) Increase in total dry weight after day 8 (1mks)
Dormancy.
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i) Within a seed
ii) Outside the seed
e) Give two characteristics of meristematic cells (2mks)
18. How is the mammalian skin adapted to its functions? (20mks)
19. Explain how a biotic factors affect plants (20mks)
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2005
QUESTIONS
SECTION A (20 MKS)

51
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1. Apart from hearing, state another function of the human ear. (1mk)
2 The diagram below represents a cell.
(a) Name the parts labeled X and Y (2mk)

X ……………………………………..
Y ……………………………………..
(b) Suggest why the structures labelled X would be more on one side
than the other. (1mks)
3. What is the role of the vascular bundles in plant nutrition? (3mks)
4. What is meant by
a) Organic evolution (1mks)
b) Continental drift? (1mks)
5. To which class does an animal with two body parts and four
Pairs of legs belong? (1mk)
6. Name the substance which accumulates in muscles when respiration

occurs with insufficient oxygen. (1mks)
7. State the importance of osmosis in plants. (3mks)
8. Name three factors in seeds that cause dormancy. (3mks)

9. Why would carboxyhaemoglobin lead to death? (2mks)
10. Name the organism that causes amoebic dysentery.
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a) Name the process through which energy from the sun is
incorporated into the food web. (1mk)
b) State the mode of feeding of the birds in the food web (1mk)
c) Name two ecosystems in which the organisms in the food web live
(1mk)
d) From the information in the food web, construct a food chain
with the large bird as a quarternary consumer. (1mk)
e) What would happen to the organisms in the food web if bird N migrated?
(3mks)
f) Not all the energy from one trophic level is available to the
next level. Explain (3mks)
g) (i) Two organisms which play a role in the ecosystems are not
included in the food web. Name them. (2mks)
(ii) State the role played by the organisms named in g(i) above.
(1mk)
SECTION B (40 MKS)

11. The diagram below represents a part of the rib cage.
a) Name the parts labeled W, Y and Z. (3mks)

W ……………………………………………………
Y …………………………………………………….
Z ……………………………………………………..
b) How does the part labeled Z facilitates breathing in? (3mks)
12. In a garden with plants of same species, 705 plants had red flowers
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while 224 had white flowers.
a) Work out the ratio of red to white flowered plants (1mk)
b) (i) Using letter R to represent the dominant gene, work out

a cross between F1 offspring and a white flowered plant. (4mks)
(ii) What is the genotypic ratio from the cross in b(i) above? (1mk)
c) What is meant by the term allele? (1mk)
13. The diagram below shows a section through the mammalian skin.
a) Name the parts labeled E, F and G. (3mks)

E …………………………………………
F …………………………………………
G …………………………………………
b) State two functions in each case of substance secreted by

the structures labeled.
(i) H ………………………………… (2mks)
(ii) I …………………………………. (2mks)
14. A set up that was used to investigate certain process in plants is

shown in the diagram below.
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a) What process was being investigated? (1mk)
b) (i) State two precautions that should be taken when setting

up the experiment. (2mks)
(ii) Give a reason for each precaution stated in b(i) above. (2mks)
c) State three environmental factors that influence the process

Under investigation. (3mks)
15. a) What is meant by the terms

(i) Epigymous flower (1mk)
(ii) Staminate flower? (1mk)
b) How are the male parts of wild pollinated flowers adapted

to their function? (4mks)
16. a) Name two organisms that cause food spoilage (2mks)
b) Name two modern methods of food preservation and for each

state the biologic principle behind it. (4mks)
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SECTION C (40 MKS)
Answer question 17 (compulsory) and either question 18 or 19 in the spaces provided
17. After an ecological study of feeding relationships students

Constructed the food web below.
a) i) State three human activities that would affect

the ecosystems. (3mks)
ii) Explain how the activities stated in h(i) above would

affect the ecosystems. (3mks)
18. Describe how gaseous exchange takes place in terrestrial

Plants. (20mks)
19. How is the human eye adapted to its function? (20mks)
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2006
QUESTIONS
1. a) State the functions of cristae in mitochondria.

b) The diagram below represents a cell organelle.
(i) Name the part labeled Y. (1mk)

(ii) State the functions of the part labeled X. (1mk)
2. Name the part of the flower that develops into

a) Seed
b) Fruit ( 1mk)
3. a) Name two tissues in plants which are thickened with lignin. (2mks)
b) How is support attained herbaceous plants? (1mks)
4. a) Name the fluid that is produced by sebaceous glands. (1mk)

b) What is the role of sweat in human skin? (2mks)
5. State two ways in which floating leaves of aquatic plants are adapted
to gaseous exchange. (2mks)
6. a) State three characteristics of Monera that are not found in

other kingdoms. (3mks)
b) Name the class to which a termite belongs (1mk)
7. a) Name one defect of circulatory system in humans. (1mk)

b) state three functions of blood other than transport. (3mks)
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8. State the role of vitamin C in humans. (2mks)
9. a) State two processes which occur during anaphase of mitosis. (2mks)

b) What is significance of meiosis? (2mks)
10. State the important of tactic response among some members

of kingdom protista. (1mks)
11. State the role of insulin in human body. (1mks)
12. An experiment was set up in the experiment as show below.
The set up was left for 30 minutes.

a) State the expected results. (1mk)
b) Explain your answer in (a) above (3mks)
13. a) In what form is energy stored in muscles (1mk)
b) State the economic important of anaerobic respiration in plants. (2mks)
14. a) Distinguish between epigeal and hypogeal germination. (1,mk)
b) Why is oxygen necessary in the germination of seeds? (2mks)
15. Explain continental drift as an evidence of evolution. (3mks)
16. What is the importance of the following in an ecosystem? (2mks)

a) Decomposers
b) Predation
17. a) Distinguish between the terms homodont and heterodont. (1mk)
b) What is the function of carnassials teeth? (1mk)
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c) A certain animal has no incisors, no canines, 6 premolars and 6
Molars in its upper jaw. In the lower jaw there are 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6
Premolars and six molars.
Write its dental formula.
18. a) State two functions of bile juice in the digestion of food. (2mks)
b) How does substrate concentration affect the rate of enzyme action? (1mk)
19 a) Explain how the following prevent self pollination. (1mk)

(i) Protoadry
(ii) Self – sterility.
b) Give three advantages of cross pollination. (3mks)
20 a) What name is given to response to contact with surface exhibited by tendrils

and climbing stems in plants?
b) State three biological importance of tropisms plants.
21. The diagram below represents a reflex are in human.
Synapse
a) Name the parts labeled X and Y
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b) Name the substance that is responsible for the transmission
of an impulse across the synapse. (1mks)
22. a) State the function of ciliary muscles in the human eye. (1mk)
b) State two functional differences between the rods and cones

in the human eye. (2mks)
23. State the function of each of the following parts of human ear. (4mks)
a) Ear ossicles
b) Cochlea
c) Semi circular canals
d) Eustachian tube.
24. State four ways in which respiratory surfaces are suited to their function. (4mks)
25. a)A dog weighing 15.2kg requires 216kj while a mouse weighing
50g requires 2736kj per day. Explain. (2mks)
26. The chart below represents a simplified nitrogen cycle.
What is represented by X,Y, and Z?
27. Name the end products of the light stage in photosynthesis.
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2007
QUESTIONS
1. (a) What is meant by the term binomial nomenclature ( 1 mk)
(b) Give two reasons why classification is important ( 2 mks)
2. (a) What is the formula for calculating linear magnification of a specimen

when using a hand lens? ( 1 mk)
(b) Give a reason why staining is necessary when preparing specimens for
observation under the microscope ( 1 mk)
3. Plant cells do not burst when immersed in distilled water. Explain ( 2 mks)
4. State three functions of Golgi apparatus ( 3 mks)
5. Distinguish between diffusion and osmosis ( 2 mks)
6. Describe what happens during the light stage of photosynthesis ( 3 mks)
7. The diagram below represents a section though a human tooth
(a) (i) Name the type of tooth shown ( 1 mk)
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (a) (i) above ( 1 mk)
(b) State the functions of the structures found in part labeled J ( 2 mks)
8. (a) Name a fat soluble vitamin manufactured by the human body ( 1 mk)
(b) State two functions of potassium in the human body ( 2 mks)
9. State two ways in which the root hairs are adapted to their function ( 2 mks)
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10. The diagram below represents a plant tissue
K
Nucleus
(a) Name the tissue (1 mk)
(b) Name the cells labeled K and L. (2 mks)
K……………………………………………………………………….
L……………………………………………………………………….
(c) What is the function of the companion cell? (1 mk)
11. (a) What prevents blood in veins from flowing backwards? (1 mk)
(b) State tow ways in which the blood cells are adapted to their function
(2 mks)
12. (a) Name two structures for gaseous exchange in aquatic plants
(2 mks)
(b) What is the effect of contraction of the diaphragm muscles during
breathing in mammals? (3 mks)
13. (a) Name the products of anaerobic respiration in

(i) Plants (1 mk)
(ii) Animals (1 mk)
(b) What is oxygen debt? (1 mk)
14 (a) What is the meaning of the terms

(i) Homeostatic (1 mk)
(ii) Osmoregulation? (1 mk)
(b) Name the hormones involved in regulating glucose level in blood (2 mks)
15 (a) Distinguish between population and community (2 mks)

(b) Name a method that could be used to estimate the population size
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of the following organisms
(i) Fish in a pond (1 mk)
(ii) Black jack in a garden (1mk)
16 State two ways in which schritosoma species is adapted to

parasitic mode of life (2 mks)
17 The diagram below represents a stage during cell division
(a) (i) Identify the stage of cell division (1 mk)

(ii) Give three reasons for your answer in (a) (i) above (2 mks)
(b) Name the structures labeled M (1 mk)
18. State two disadvantages of sexual reproduction in animals (2 mks)
19 (a) State two environmental conditions that can cause seed dormancy (2 mks)
(b) Name the part of a bean that elongates to bring about epigeal germination
(1 mk)
20 (a) What is meant by the term allele? (1 mk)
(b) Explain how the following occur during gene mutation:

(i) Deletion (1 mk)
(ii) Inversion (1 mk)
(c) What is a testcross? (1 mk)
21. (a) What is adaptive radiation (2 mks)
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(b) Give a reason why organisms become resistant to drugs (1 mk)
22. (a) Where in the human body are relay neurons found (1 mk)
(b) The diagram below represents a neurone (1 mk)
Myelin
shenth
Muscle
fibre
(i) Name the neurone ( 1 mk)

(ii) Name the parts labeled P and Q ( 2 mks)
P………………………………………………………………………..
Q……………………………………………………………………….
(c) State a function of myelin sheath ( 1 mk)
23 (a) Name the hormone that is responsible for apical dominance ( 1 mk)
(b) What is thigmotropism? ( 1 mk)
24. (a) state a characteristics that is common to all cervical vertebrae ( 1 mk)
(b) Name two tissues in plants that provide mechanical support ( 2 mks)
25. (a) The action of ptyalin stops at the stomach. Explain ( 1 mk)
(b) State a factor that denatures enzymes ( 1 mk)
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1
(c) Name the features that increase the surface area
of small intestines ( 2 mks)
26. State one way by which HIV/AIDS is transmitted from mother to child (1 mk)
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2008
QUESTIONS
1. Name the tissues in plants responsible for:

(a) Transport of water and mineral salts
(b) Transport of carbohydrates
(c) Primary growth ( 3 mks)
2. State the importance of the following processes that take place in the
nephrons of a human kidney
(a) Ultra filtration ( 1 mk)
(b) Selective reabsorption ( 1 mk)
3. (a) Name a disease of the liver whose symptom is jaundice ( 1 mk)

(b) State the causative agent of:
(i) Cholera ( 1 mk)
(ii) Candidiasis ( 1 mk)
4. The diagrams below show a red blood cell that was subjected to a certain
Treatment
At start At the end of experiment
(a) Account for shape of the cell at the end of the experiment ( 2 mks)
(b) Draw a diagram to illustrate how a plant cell would appear if subjected
to the same treatment ( 1 mk)
5. (a) State two factors that affect enzymatic activities ( 2 mks)
(b) Explain how one of the factors stated in (a) above affects enzymatic
Activities ( 1 mk)
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6. (a) What is meant by non- disjunction? ( 1 mk)
(b) Give two examples of continuous variation in humans ( 2 mks)
7. (a) what is fossil ( 1 mk)

(b) How does convergent evolution occur ( 3 mks)
8. The diagram below shows a stage in mitosis in a plant cell
(a) Name the stage of mitosis ( 1mk)
(b) Give two reasons for your answer in (a) above ( 2 mks)
(c) Name the part of the plant from which the cell used in preparation
was Obtained ( 1 mk)
9. Give three factors that determine the amount of energy a human being
require in a day ( 3 mks)
10. (a) Name the antigens that determine human blood groups ( 2 mks)
(b) State the adaptation that enables the red blood cells to move in blood
Capillaries ( 1 mk)
11. (a) What is homeostasis? ( 1 mk)
(b) Name three processes in the human body in which homeostasis is

Involved ( 3 mks)
12. State two functions of the endoplasmic reticulum ( 2 mks)
13. (a) Name the part of retina where image is formed ( 1mk)
(b) State two characteristics of the image formed on the retina ( 2 mks)
14. Describe the three characteristics of a population ( 3 mks)
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15. Explain what happens when there is oxygen debt in human muscles ( 2 mk)
16. The diagram below represents a set up that was used to investigate certain
process in a plant
GAS
SUNLIGH
T
ELODEA
(a) State the process that was being investigated ( 1 mk)

(b) State a factor that would affect the process ( 1 mk)
17. Account for the following phases of a sigmoid curve of a growth of

an organism
(a) Lag phase ( 1 mk)
(b) Plateau phase ( 1 mk)
18. How is the epidermis of a leaf of a green plant adapted to its function
( 2 mks)
19. The diagram below represents a tissue obtained from an animal
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(a) Identify the tissue ( 1 mk)
(b) State the functions of the tissue named ( a) above ( 1mk)
20. (a) what is a single circulatory system ( 1 mk)

(b) Name an organism which has single circulatory system
( 1 mk)
(c) Name the opening to the chamber of the heart of an insect

( 1 mk)
21. (a) What is seed dormancy ( 1 mk)

(b) Name a growth inhibitor in seeds ( 1 mk)
22. State two characteristics of aerenchyma tissue ( 1 mk)
23. The diagram below shows a human tooth ( 2 mks)
(a) Identify the tooth ( 1 mk)

(b) How is the tooth adapted to its function ( 1 mk)
(c) State the role of the following vitamins in the human body
(i) C ( 1 mk)
(ii) K ( 1 mk)
24. Name the sites where light and dark reactions of photosynthesis take place ( 2 mks)
Light reaction
Dark reaction
25. Giving a reason in each case, name the class to w which each of
the following organisms ( 4 mks)
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1
Bean plant
Reason
Bat
Reason
30. The diagram below shows two fused bones of a mammal
(a) Identify the fused bone ( 1 mk)
(b) Name the

(i) Bone that articulates at the point labelled F ( 1 mk)
(ii) The hole labelled G ( 1 mk)
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2009
QUESTIONS
1. (a) Name the external feature which is common in birds, fish and reptiles ( 1 mk)
(b) State two characteristics of fungi ( 2 mks)
2. Name two befits that a parasite derives from the host ( 2 mks)
3. State the functions of the following parts of a light microscope ( 2 mks)

(a) Objective lens
(b) Diaphragm
4. (a) The state during which a seed cannot germinate even when conditions
for Germination are suitable is called ( 1 mk)
(b) The diagram below represents a stage during germination of a seed
(i) Name the type of germination illustrated in the diagram ( 1mk)
(ii) State the role of the part labeled x during germination of the seed ( 2 mks)
5. (a) What is meant by the following terms

(i) Hybrid vigour ( 1 mk)
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(ii) Polyploidy? ( 1 mk)
(b) State two causes of chromosomal mutations ( 2 mks)
6. The diagram below shows a section through a plant organ
(a) (i) Name the class of the plant which the section was obtained ( 1 mk)
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (a) (i) above
(b) State the functions of the part labeled F ( 1 mk)
7. State the function of the following cell organelles

(a) Ribosome ( 1 mk)
(b) Lysosomes ( 1 mk)
8. (a) Pregnancies continues if the ovary of an expectant mother is removed

after 4 months explain ( 2 mks)
(b) What is the role of the testes in the mammalian reproductive systems?
( 2 mks)
9. (a) Name the causative agents of the following diseases in humans ( 2 mks)
(i) Typhoid
(ii) Amoebic dysentery
(b) Name the disease in humans caused by plasmodium falciparum ( 1 mk)
10. (a) (i) What is meant by vestigial structures ? ( 1 mk)
(ii) Give an example of a vestigial structure in human ( 1 mk)

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(b) Explain why certain drugs become ineffective in curing a disease after
many years of use. ( 2 mks)
11. In an experiment the shoot tip of a young tomato plant was decapitated as
shown in the diagram below
Line of cut
(a) State the expected results after 2 weeks ( 1 mk)

(b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above ( 2 mks)
12. The diagram below represents a bone obtained from a mammal

J
(a) Name the bone ( 1 mk)

(b) Name the:
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1
(i) Bone which articulate with the bone named in (a) above at the cavity
labeled K; ( 1 mk)
(ii) Joint formed by the two bones ( 1 mk)

(c) State the function of the part labeled J ( 1 mk)
13. (a) Distinguish between diffusion and active transport ( 2 mks)
(b) State one role that is played by osmosis in ( 1 mk)

(i) Plants
(ii) Animals
14. Name a support tissue in plants that is not thickened with lignin ( 1 mk)
15. Name the type of movement that occurs within a plant cell ( 1 mk)
16. (a) Name the gaseous exchange surface in insects ( 1 mk)
(b) How is the surface named in (a) above suited to its function ( 2 mks)
17. Explain why plants do not require specialized excretory organs ( 4 mks)
18. Explain how the following factors affect the rate of photosynthesis:
(a) Concentration of carbon (iv) oxide ( 1 mk)
(b) Light intensity ( 1mk)
19. (a) State three effects of dumping untreated sewage into a river ( 3 mks)
(b) Name one process that is responsible for loss of energy from one
trophic level to the next ( 1mk)
20. Other than using the quadratic, give two methods of estimating population
of grass (2 mks)
21. Explain what happens in humans when concentration of glucose in the blood
decreases below the normal level ( 4 mks)
22. Explain how the carnassials teeth of a dog are adapted to their function ( 2 mks)
23. state the function of iron in the human body ( 1 mk)
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24. Explain how the following factors determine the daily energy requirement
in human:
(a) Age ( 1 mk)
(b) Occupation ( 1 mk)
(c) Sex ( 1 mk)
25. State two ways in which aerenchyma tissues in aquatic plants are adapted
to their function ( 2 mks)
26. How are the mitochondria adapted to their functions? ( 2 mks)
27. State two ways in which anaerobic respiration is applied in industries

( 2 mks)
28. (a) State three structural differences between arteries and veins in mammals
( 3 mks)
(b) Name a disease that causes thickening and hardening of arteries ( 1 mk)
29. Explain why the rate of transpiration is reduced when humidity is high
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2010
QUESTIONS
PAPER 1
1. State the name give to the study of:
a) The cell (1 mk)
b) Micro--organism. (1 mk)
2. The diagram below shows a transverse section of a plant organ.
a) Name the plant organ from which the section was obtained. (1 mk)
b) i) name the class to which the plant organ was obtained (1 mk)
ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i) above (1 mk)
c) Name the part labeled X. (1 mk)
3. State the function of:

a) Ribosomes (1 mk)
b) Lysosomes (1 mks)
4. The diagram below shows a specialized plant cell.
a) i) Name the cell (1 mk)
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1
ii) Name the parts labeled D and E. (2 mks)
b) State the function of the part labeled C. (1 mk)
5. State three ways in which a respiratory surface is adapted to its function. (3 mks)
6. State one function for each of the following:

a) Cerebellum (1 mk)
b) Medulla oblongata (1 mk)
7. Distinguish between haemolysis and plasmolysis. (2 mks)
8. State three external differences between chilopoda and diplopoda. (3 mks)
9. State two ways in which chloroplasts are adapted to their functuions. (2 mks)
10. State two advantages of hybrid vigour. (2 mks)
11. The diagram below shows a transverse section of leaf.
Upper epidermis
Vascular
bundle
a) Name the habitat of the plant from which the leaf was obtained. (1 mk)
b) Give one reason for your answer in (a) above. (2 mks)
12. The diagram below illustrates the structure of bread mould.
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1
a) Name the part labeled J (1 mk)
b) State the function of the structure labeled K (2 mks)
13. What is meant by the following term?

a) Habitat; (1 mk)
b) Ecosystem (1 mk)
14. Explain why is not advisable to be in a poorly ventilated room with a

burning charcoal. (3 mks)
15. A potted plant was kept in the dark for 48 hours. Two leaves X and Y were
treated as shown in the diagram below.
Leaf Y Leaf X
Transparent
Transparent
polythene bag
polythene bag
Potassium
hydroxide pellets
The experimental set-up was kept in sunlight for 6 hours after which a starch
test was carried out on the two leaves.
a) What were the results of the starch test on leaves X and Y? (2 mks)
b) Give reasons for your answers in (a) above. (2 mks)
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16. What is the role of bile salts in humans? (2 mks)
17. The following is the dental formula of a certain mammal:

i 0/3 c 0/1 pm 3/3 m3/3
a) State the likely mode of feeding for the mammal. (1 mk)
b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above. (1 mk)
18. Give two reasons why animals have specialized organ for excretion as
compared to plants (2 mks)
19. State the changes that occur in arterioles in the human skin during thermoregulation. (2 mks)
20. State two advantages of internal fertilization in humans. (2 mks)
21. The diagram below represents part of the human skeleton.
a) Name the part labeled P (1 mk)
b) i) Name the bone the articulates with the part labeled Q. (1 mk)
ii) What type of joint is formed between the part labeled Q and the bone
named in (b) (i) above? (1mk)
22. What is the function of the following structure in the human reproductive organ?
a) Fallopian tubes. (1 mk)
b) Epididymis. (1 mk)
c) Scrotl sac (1 mk)
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1
23. Explain three ways in which red blood cells are adapted to their function. (3 mks)
24. .
a) State two ideas proposed by Lamk in his theory of evolution. (2 mks)
b) Why is Larmk’s theory not acceptable? (1 mk)
25. State three factors that contribute to the deceleration phase in the population
curve of an organism (1 mk)
26. State one survival value for each of the following in plants:
a) Thigmotropism in stems; (1 mk)
b) Geotropism in roots. (1 mk)
27. .
a) What is meant by the term non-disjunction? (1 mk)
b) Give an example of a genetic disorder caused by:

i) Non-disjuction; (1 mk)
ii) Gene mutation ( 1 mk)
28. State three structural differences between arteries and veins. (3 mks)
29. The diagram below represents a female cone.
a) Name the subdivision of the plant from which the cone was obtained. (1 mk)
b) Other than the presence of cone, name two other external features that
identify plants in the subdivision named in (a) above. (2 mks)
20. What is meant by the apical dominance? (3 mks)
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1
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2011
QUESTIONS
1. Name two kidney diseases. (2mks)
2. (a) Write the dental formula of an adult human. (1mk)

3. Give three reasons for classifying organisms. (2mks)
4. State one use for each of the following apparatus in the study of living organisms.
(a) Pooter
(b) Pitfall trap (2mks)
5. The figure below illustrates a food web in a certain ecosystem.

Lizard
Mongoose
Grasshopper Chicken
Human
Grass Termites
Weaver bird
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1
Hawk Vulture
Sheep Hyena
From the food web:
From the food web:

(a) Draw the shortest food chain; (1mk)
(b) identify the organisms with the highest

(i) Number of predators (1mk)
(ii) Biomass (1mk)
6. What is meant by the following terms?

(a) Ecology (1mk)
(b) Carrying capacity (1mk)
7. The diagrams below show an experiment set up to investigate a certain process in

a plant tissue.
30mins
Set-up start of same set-up after
Experiment
Explain the results obtained after 30 min. (4mks)
8. State three characteristics of the class crustacean. (3mks)
9. The diagrams below illustrate the organs of some flowering plants.
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1
State the classes of plants to which each belong. (2mks)
A
B
10. (a) give two differences in the products of anaerobic respiration between plants
and animals. (2mks)
(b) Name the site of anaerobic respiration in a cell. (1mk)
11. State two functions of the following parts of a light microscope. (2mks)
Fine adjustment knob
Stage
12. The diagram below represents a certain organism.
State the phylum and class of carbohydrates in the human body. (2mks)
14. The diagram below represents a certain plan.
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1
(a) What is the likely habitant of the plant? (1 mk)
(b) Give two reasons for your answer in (a) above. (2 mks)
15. Give reasons for carrying out the following procedures when preparing
temporary wet mounts of plant tissues.
(a) Making thin plant sections (1 mk)

(b) Adding water on the plant section. (1 mk)
16. (a) describe the condition known as varicose veins. (2 mks)
(b) What is the role of blood platelets in the clotting process? (2 mks)
17. The diagram represents part of the human digestive system.
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1
K
L
M
Appendix
Rectum
(a) Name the organs labeled L and M. (2 mks)

L
M
(b) (i) Name the substance named in b (i) above. (1 mk)
19. (a) Apart from the lungs, name two gaseous exchange surfaces in a frog. (2 mks)
(b) Write an equation that summarizes the process of aerobic respiration. (2 mks)
20. The number of stomata on the lower and upper surface of two leaves from plant
X and Y were counted under the field of view of a light microscope. The results
were as shown in the table below.
Leaf Number of stomata

Upper surface Lower surface
X 4 12
Y 20 23
(a) Which of the leaves would be expected to have a lower rate of transpiration? (1 mk)
(b) Given a reason for your answer in (a) above (1 mk)
21. (a) what is meant by convergent evolution? (1 mk)

(b) State two limitations of fossils as an evidence of evolution. (2 mks)
22. State the difference in content of oxygen and carbon (IV) oxide in the air that enters
and leaves the human ling. (2 mks)
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1
23. The diagram below represents a transverse section of an ovary from a certain flower.
(a) (i) name the structure labeled W (1 mk)
(ii) name the type of plantation illustrated in this diagram. (1 mk)
(b) Give an example of a plant whose flowers have the type of placentation
named in (a) (ii) above (1 mk)
24. (a) Difference between the following terms:

(i) dominant gene and recessive gene; (1 mk)
(ii) continuous variation and discontinuous variation (1 mk)
(b) What would be the expected results from a test cross? (2 mks)
25. State one economic importance of each of the following plant excretory products. (2 mks)
(a) Tannin
(b) Quinine
(c) Caffeine
26. Name the gamete cells that are produced by the ovaries. (1 mk)
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1
27. The diagram below represents features of a joint mammal.
(a) Name the part labeled A (1 mk)

(b) State the function of the part labeled B (1 mk)
28. (a) What is a tropic response? (1 mk)
(b) State two ways by which auxins regulate growth in seedlings (1 mk)
29. State four reasons why water is significant in seed germination (2 mks)
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1
BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2012
QUESTIONS
1. How does nutrition as a characteristic of living organisms differ in plants

and animals? (2 mks)
2. The diagram below represents a certain organism collected by a student at

the sea shore.
(a) Name the class to which the organism belongs.

(b) Give three reasons for your answer in (a) above.
2. The figure below is a fine structure of a generalised animal cell as seen under
an electron microscope.
Plasma
membrane
Pinoctic
vesicle
centrioles
A
B
Matrix
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1
(a) Name the parts labelled A and B. (2mks)
A………………………………………………….
B ………………………………………………….
(b) How is the structure labelled B adapted to its function? (2mks)
4. In an investigation, a student extracted three pieces of paw paw cylinders using a

cut back to 50 mm length and placed in a beaker containing a solution. The results
in the table below. (3 mks)
Feature Result
Average ngth of cylinders (mm) 56 mm

Stiffness
le f cylinders stiff
o ^
(a) Account for the results in the table above. (3 mks)
(b) What would be a suitable control set-up for the investigation? (2 mks)
5. The table below shows results of a study of three plants C, D and E growing
in different (1 mk)
Feature Plant C Plant D Plant E

Number of stomata on upper surface 4 20 6
of leaf per square area
Number of stomata on lower surface 6 0 8

of leaf per square area
Thickness of leaf cuticle (mm) 0.4 0.1 0.2

Surface area of roots (cm-1) 2000 1000 1200
(a) Which one of the plants C, D and E grows in an area of relatively low water
availability?
(b) Explain your answer in (i) above.
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6. The diagram below represents part of the gaseous exchange system in human. (2 mks)
Epiglottis
larynx
Lung
(a) Name the parts labelled F and G.

F.................................................................................
G................................................................................
(b) State one function of each of the parts labelled H and J.
H................................................................................
J.................................................................................
7. .The diagram below represents a set-up that students used in an investigation.
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1
a) Name-the physiological process that was being investigated. (1 mk)
(b) State the role of potassium hydroxide in flask K. (1 mk)
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(c) Account for the observation in boiling tube L and flask N. (2 mks)
L..................................................................................................
N……………………………………………………………
8. What is the probability of a couple with blood group AB getting a child

with blood group AB? Show your working. (4 mks)
9 State the importance of negative phototaxis to termites. (1 mk)
10 What is meant by the term irritability? (1 mk)
11. (a) State two ways in which heart muscles are special. (2 mks)
(b) Name the muscles found in the following organs; (2 mks)
Stomach; .......................................................................................
bone.............................................................................................
12 (a) Name the part of a light microscope used to bring an image of a specimen
into sharp focus. (1 mk)
(b) Why is it recommended to keep the stage of the microscope dry? (1 mk)
13. State three factors that affect the rate of diffusion. (3 mks)
14. (a) Name the type of respiration that is most efficient. (1 mk)
(b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above (1mks)
15. What name is given to a group of hormones that controls the development
of secondary sexual characteristics in a human male? (1 mk)
16. The diagram below represents an experimental set-up used by students to
investigate a certain process.
Flower Q
Polythene bag
Flower P
Rubber band
Pot with soil
Flower Q produced seeds while P did not. Account for the results.
17. Name two substances that leave the foetal blood through the placenta. (2 mks)
18. Why are plants able to accumulate most of their waste products for long? (1 mk)
19. List four symptoms of diabetes mellitus. (4 mks)
20. State three aspects that can be used to estimate growth in seedlings. (3 mks)
21. Name the process through which free atmospheric nitrogen is converted
into nitrates. (l mk)
22. State the importance of divergent evolution to organisms. (2 mks)
23. Name the strengthening materials found in the following support tissues: (2 mks
(a) collenchyma;...................................................................................
(b) xylem..............................................................................................
24. State four characteristics of apical meristem cells. (4 mks)
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25. State the role of the following hormones in the life cycle of insects: (2 mks)
ecdysone hormone; .........................................................................................„,
juvenile hormone...............................................................................................
26 (a) State the theories of evolution proposed by the following scientists. (2 mks
Darwin……………………………………………………………….............
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck............................................................„.,……
(b) State the evidence of evolution based on Cell
(i) organelles……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) fossils………………………………………………………………………………………
27. What is the function of contractile vacuoles in amoeba? (1mk)
28. state two differences between open and closed circulatory systems. (2 mks)
29. Name two nutrients that are absorbed without being digested by enzymes
in humans. (2 mks)
30. Name the organelle that is involved in each of the following: (2 mks)
(a) manufacture of lipids ……………………………………………………………….

(b) formation of lysomes ………………………………………………………………..
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2013
QUESTIONS
1. (a) What is meant by the term wilting? (1 mk)
(b)Explain how an increase in temperature affects the rate of active transport? (2 mks)
2. The diagram represents a cell as seen under an electron microscope.
(a) Based on the diagram, state whether it represents an animal cell or a plant cell. (1 mk)
(b) Give two reasons for your answer in 2(a) above. (2 mks)
(c) Why is the palisade layer a tissue? (1 mk)
3. (a) State two external features found in the class Mammalia only. (2 mks)
(b) Name the taxonomic unit that comes immediately after a phylum in
classification. (1 mk)
4. (a) State two roles of mucus in the stomach. (2 mks)

(b) Explain how age determines a person’s energy requirements. (2 mks)
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5. Describe how turgor pressure builds up? (3 mks)
6. Using a microscope, a student counted 55 cells across a field of view

whose diameter was 6000µm. Calculate the average length of the cells.
Show your working. (2 mks)
7. Explain how the following forces contribute to the movement of water

up the xylem vessels: (2 mks)
(a) cohesion;
(b) adhesion;
8. Construct a step in a dichotomous key using two leaves one with a

serrated and the other with a smooth margin. (2 mks)
9. State one way in which each of the following is structurally adapted

to its function:
(a) neurone; (2 mks)
(b) mitochondrion; (2 mks)
10. How are lenticels adapted for gaseous exchange? (2 mks)
11. State the advantage of possessing blood group AB. (1 mk)
12. (a) A student collected an organism and observed the following features:
simple eyes, four pairs of legs and two body parts.
(i) State the class to which the organism belongs. (1 mk)

(ii) Give an example of an organism in this class. (1 mk)
(b) Name the kingdom to which plasmodium belongs. (1 mk)
13. State two characteristics of living organisms that are specific to plants. (2 mks)
14. Name three end products of anaerobic respiration in plants. (3 mks)
15. State two reasons why accumulation of lactic acid leads to an increase in
heart beat. (2 mks)
16. Name three mechanisms that ensure cross pollination takes place in
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1
flowering plants. (3 mks)
17. Name the flower part that produces gametes. (1 mk)
18. How is the human sperm cell structurally specialized? (2 mks)
19. State three factors in seeds that cause dormancy. (3 mks)
20. Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection. (2 mks)
21. (a) Explain the role of continental drift in evolution. (3 mks)
(b) What is meant by the term organic evolution? (1 mk)
22. The diagram below illustrates a response by a certain plant.
(a) Name the type of response. (1 mk)
(b) Explain how the response illustrated above occurs. (3 mks)
23. The diagram below illustrates a defect in the eye.
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1
Ray of light
Position of focus
Explain how the defect illustrated above can be corrected. (2 mks)
24. Explain three protective functions of mammalian blood. (3 mks)
25. State one adaptation of xylem vessels to their function. (2 mks)
26. (a) What is meant by the term sex linked genes? (1 mk)
(b) Name two sex linked traits in human beings. (2 mks)
27. (a) State two differences between complete and incomplete metamorphosis. (2 mks)
(b) State the importance of moulting to an insect. (1 mk)
28. (a) State two features of a ball and socket joint. (2 mks)
(b) Name the bone that allows the head to; (2 mks)
(i) node;
(ii) turn side ways;
29. State two functions of pelvic girdle in mammals. (2 mks)
30. State two ways in which osmosis is significant to plants. (2 mks)
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2014
QUESTIONS
Answer all the questions
1. State the importance of each of the following in living organisms: (1 mk)
(a) Nutrition (1 mk)

(b)Excretion. (1 mk)
2. (a) What is meant by the term seed dormancy? (1 mk)

(b) State three causes of seed dormancy (3 mks)
3. State two functions of the placenta in mammals. (2 mks)
4. The diagram below illustrates a growing pollen tube
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a) Name the part labeled B (1 mk)
b) Explain the role of the parts labeled A. (2 mks)
5. The diagram below shows a set up for an experiment to demonstrate a certain

physiological process.
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a) What nature of solution is represented by20% sugar solution? (1 mk)
b) Explain the observation made on the set up after one hour. (2 mks)
6. State three roles of auxins in a plant stem . (3 mks)
7. A student drew a 6mm long diagram of a plant flower. If the actual length of
the flower was 12cm, calculate the magnification of the drawing made by the
student. Show your workings (2 mks)
8 .Differentiate between phenotype and genotype as used genetics (1 mk)
9. State two functions of intervertebral discs in the mammalian skeleton. (2 mks)
10. (a) Explain two roles of diffusion in human (4 mks)
(b) What is meant by each of the following terms?
i) Crenated cell. (1 mk)

ii) Flaccid cell (1 mk)
11. State three differences between tactic and tropic responses (3 mks)
Tactic Responses Tropic Responses
12. The diagram below represents a model used to demonstrate breathing in mammals
Ballon
String
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a) Name the mammalian structure represented by the parts labeled D and E.
(i) D (1 mk)
(ii) E (1 mk)
b) Explain the observation made when the string is pulled downwards. (1 mk)
c) Explain the observation in (b) above (2 mks)
13. State one function of each of the following parts of a mammalian eye;
(a) Eye lashes (1 mk)
(b) Lachrymal glands (1 mk)
14. State three structural differences between DNA and RNA (3 mks)
DNA RNA
15. a) Which type of mammalian muscles is voluntary? (1 mk)
b) Distinguish between a tendon and a ligament. (1 mk)
16. The diagram below illustrates a nerve cell.
a) Name the type of nerve cell illustrated. (1 mk)

b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above (1 mk)
c) Identify he part labeled J (1 mk)
d) State one function of each of the parts labeled G and H.

(i) G (1 mk)
(ii) H (1 mk)
17. Give a reason why the image is not formed when light is focused on the
blind spot. (1 mk)
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18. Explain why
a) Mammalian testes are located to hang outside the body (2 mks)
b) Four months after fertilization, ovaries can be removed from a human

female, without terminating pregnancy (2 mks)
19. Why is a burning charcoal stove in a poorly ventilated room likely to cause
death of the inhabitants? (3 mks)
20. State one function of each of the following cell organelles:
a) Golgi bodies (1 mk)
b) Lysosomes. (1 mk)
21. Name the type of skeleton that makes up each of the following animals
(a) Locust. (1 mk)

(b) Bird . (1 mk)
22. (a) Name two vestigial structures in human beings (2 mks)
(b) Why are some bacterial able to resist the effect of antibiotics? (2 mks)
23. Below is an illustration of a cross section of a plant root showing the

transportation of substances in the plant.
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(a) Name the substances transported along the paths labeled K and L.
K (1 mk)
L (1 mk)
(b)Give a reason for your answer in L above. (1 mk)
24. The table provided shows the transportation of substance in the human body.
substance Transported by blood

From To
Oxygen M Whole body
N Liver Kidneys
P Intestine Whole body
Name the substances represented by

M (1 mk)
N (1 mk)
P (1 mk)
25. State two roles of luteinising hormones in human reproduction. (2 mks)
26. The table provided show the concentration of sodium and iodine in sea water and
cell sap of a plant.
Sodium ion concentration Iodine concentration

sea Water 250 35
cell sap 100 550
a) (i) Name the process through which the plant cells take up sodium ions. (1 mk)
ii) Give a reason for your answer in (a) (i) above (1 mk)
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b) If the plant was sprayed with a chemical that inhibits respiration:
i) Which of the two ions uptake will be affected ? (1 mk)
ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i) above (1 mk)
27. The diagram below shows the gaseous exchange system of a locust.
(a)Name the structure labelled Q. (1 mk)
(b) State the function of the part labelled R. (1 mk)
(c)How is the part labelled S structurally adapted to its function? (1 mk)
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2015
QUESTIONS
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.
1. (a) What is meant by the term binomial nomenclature? (2mks)
(b) State two guidelines that should be followed when typing

scientific names. (2 mks)
2. During a lesson, students observed the structure of bat, cat and human
forelimbs to determine their evolutionary relationship.
(a) State the name given to the structure of the limbs observed by
the students. (1 mk)
(a) Name the type of evolution illustrated by the structure of the

limbs observed (1mk)
(b) What evidence of evolution is illustrated by the limbs? (1mk)
(c) State the significance of the type of evolution illustrated by the limbs (1mk)
3. An individual is of blood group B positive

a) Name the antigens in the individual’s blood (2mks)
b) Give the reason why the individual cannot receive blood from a
blood group A donor. (2mks)
4. Colour blindness is a sex linked trait controlled by a recessive gene b. If a

mother is a carrier and the father is normal, what is the chance that their
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son will be colour blind? Show your working. (4 mks)
5. (a) State two advantages of using a coverslip when preparing a specimen

for observation under a light microscope. (2 mks)
(b) How is the low power objective lens manipulated to focus a specimen
for observation under a light microscope? (2 mks)
6. Students set up an experiment as illustrated below.
Thistle
Sucrose funnel
Solution
Semi
Permeable
Distilled Membrane
water Beaker
At the beginning After 30 minutes
(a) Name the physiological process that resulted in the observations made
after 30 minutes. (1 mk)
(b) State the importance of the physiological process investigated in plants. (1 mk)
(c) Explain the observations made after 30 minutes. (2mks)
7. How is a guard cell structurally adapted for gaseous exchange? (4 mks)
8. a) Name the organism that:
i) Causes malaria (1mk)
ii) Transmists malaria (1mk)

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b)State two control measueres for malaria (2mks)
9. The diagram below shows an experimental set up to investigate a certain

physiological process in plants.
Air
Sunction pump
Calcium
Potassium
hydroxide
hydroxide E F
Calcium hydroxide Potted plant
a) State the aim of the experiment (1mk)
b) State the role of the following in the experiment:

i. Potassium hydroxide (1mk)
ii. Aluminium foil (1mk)
c) Account for the expected colour change in tube F (2mks)
10. The diagram below illustrates the skulls of adult human and chimpanzee
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Parietal bone
Frontal bone
browridge
nasal bone
Zygomatic
Occipital bone arch
Temporal bone
maxilla occipital bone
temporal bone
mandible
external auditory
a) Adult chimpanze b) Adult human canal
a) State one difference between the two skulls in the following structures (3mks)
Structure Chimpanzee skull Human skull
i Parietal bones
ii Mandible
iii Browridge
b) State the significance of the evolution observed on the parietal bone in the
chimpanzee and human skulls. (1mk)
11. Name two structures used for gaseous exchange in plants (2mks)
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12. a) What is meant by each of the following:
i. Pyramid of biomass? (1mk)
ii. Pyramid of numbers? (1mk)
b) During an ecological visit to the savanna grassland, students were able to

see lions, antelopes, vultures and pastoralists grazing their cattle. Construct
a food chain with four counmder levels to illustrate the energy flow in
the ecosystem. (2mks)
13. State three differences between the end products of mitosis and meiosis. (3mks)
Mitosis Meiosis
14. a) Name two types of involuntary in mammals (2mks)

b) State the location of each of the muscles named in (a) above (2 mks)
15. The photomicrographs below shows the various stages of cell division in a certain plant.
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(a) (i) Name the type opf cell division illustrated (1mk)
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (a) (i) above (1mk)
(b) (i) Name the stage of cell division labeled K. (1mk)
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i) above (1 mk)
16. State four structural differences millipedes and centipedes (4mks)

Millipedes Centipedes
17. a) How is a human stomach adapted to

i. Protein digestion? (2mks)
ii. Churning? (2mks)
b) What happens to the glucose synthesized during photosynthesis? (2mks)
18. The diagram below shows an experimental set-up to investigate the

conditions necessary for germination. Test tube P was placed in a
refrigerator while Q was left at room temperature. The set-ups were
observed regularly for two weeks but no germination occurred.
Cotton wool Cotton wool
P Q
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Bean Oil
seeds
Wet cotton wool Boiled and cooled water
Placed in a refrigerator
Explain the observations in P and Q.
P (2mks)
Q (3mks)
19. a) Using the axes provided below, sketch a curve to illustrate the growth
pattern observed in the phylum arthropoda. (2mks)
Length
(mm)
Time (Days)
b) Explain the growth pattern observed in arthropods (3mks)
20. Below are components of a simple reflex pathway:

• Interneurone
• Muscle
• Motor neurone
• sensory neurone
• pain receptor
• central nervous system
List the components in their proper sequence during the transimission of a

nerve impulse (3mks)
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BIOLOGY
K.C.S.E PAPER 231/1 2016
QUESTIONS
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.
1. (a) State two ways in which the muscles of the mammalian heart are special. (2 mks)
b) Name the type of muscles found in the following organs (2mks)
2. Why are plants able to accumulate most of their waste products for long? (2mks)
3. St ate the importance of tactic responses among members of Kingdom Protista (2mks)
4. a)Name one defect of the circulatory system in humans (1 mk)

b)St ate three functions of blood other than transport (3 mks)
5. St ate the Economic importance of anaerobic respiration in plant (1 mk)

6. Explain continental drift as evidence of evolution (3mks)
7. Explain how the following prevent self pollination

i)Protandry (1 mk)
ii)Self sterility (1 mk)
8. State three functions of Golgi apparatus (3 mks)
9. a) Name two structures of gaseous exchange in aquatic plants (2 mks)

b)What is the effect of contraction of the diaphragm muscles during breathing
in mammals (3mks)
10. a)State two advantages of sexual reproduction in animals (2mks)

b)State two functions of a placenta (2 mks)
11. Name two benefits that a parasite derives from its host. (2 mks)
12. Other than using a quadrat give two methods that can be used to estimate the
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1
population of grass (2 mks)
13. a) State two factors that affect enzymatic activities (2 mks)

b) Explain how one of the factor s stated in (a) above affects enzymatic activities (1mk)
14. Give three factors that determine the amount of energy a human being requires
in a day (3 mks)
15.a)What is seed dormancy? (1mk)

b)Name a growth inhibitor in seeds (1mk)
16. State one use of each of the following excretory products of plants (2mks)
i) Colchicine
ii) Papain
17. State the name given to the study of

i)The cell (1 mk)
ii)Micro-organism (1mk)
18. Distinguish between haemolysis and plsmolysis ( 2mks)
19. Explain why it is not advisable to be in a poorly ventilated room with a burning
charcoal stove (3 mks)
20. State three factors that contribute to the deceleration phase in the population
curve of an organism (3 mks)
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21. The figure below illustrates a food web in a certain ecosystem
From the food web

a)Draw the shortest food chain (1 mk)
b) Identify the organism with the highest

i)Number of predators (1 mk)
ii)Biomass ( 1 mk)
22. State three characteristics of the class Crustacea (3mks)
23a) Name one salivary gland in humans (1 mk)

b)State two functions of saliva (2 mks)
24. How does nutrition as a characteristic of living organisms differ in plants

and animals (2 mks)
25. Distinguish between diffusion and osmosis. (2 mks)
26. State the functions of the following parts of a microscope (2 mks)
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a)Objective lens
b)Diaphragm
27.a)What is single circulatory system? (1mk)

b) Name an organism which has a single circulatory system (1mk)
c) Name the opening to the chamber of the heart of an insect (1mk)
28. The diagram below shows a transverse section of a plant organ
a)Name the plant organ form which the section was obtained (1 mk)
b) i)Name the class to which the organism form which section as obtained belongs (1 mk)
ii)Give a reason for your answer in b(i) above (1 mk)
29. a) State a characteristic that is common to all cervical vertebrae (1 mk)

b) Name two tissue s in plants that provide mechanical support (2 mks)
30. State two advantages of hybrid vigour (2 mks)
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BIOLOGY PP1 QUESTIONS

FOR A VARIETY OF REVISION KITS

SECTION A (20 MARKS)

5. State the role of light photosynthesis ( 2 mks)

6. The diagram below represents a fern

7. Complete the table below on mineral nutrition in plants ( 3 mks)

Mineral element Function Deficiency symptoms

8. Explain why Larmacks theory of evolution is not accepted by biologists today

9. name a is disorder of human blood that is caused by mutation ( 1 mk)

SECTION B (40 MARKS)

(a) Suggest the identify of substances K and L ( 2 mks)

(c) Explain how substance L slowed down the reaction ( 2 mks)

11. The diagram below represents a transverse section of a young stem

(a) Name the parts labeled A and B ( 2 mks)

12. The diagram below shows an experimental soil up to investigate an aspect

Germinatin bean seeds

(b) Why is moist cotton wool used in this experiment? (1 mk)

13. The chart below shows a feeding relationship in a certain ecosystem

Grasshopper → Lizards → Snakes

Green plants Hawks

Mice Domestic cats

(c) Name secondary consumers in food web (2 mks)

(ii) Account for your answer in (a) (i) above ( 3 mks)

SECTION C (40 Marks)

17. Describe how excretion takes place in

1. State the function of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule ( 1mk)

2. State two ways by which acquired Immune deficiency syndrome (A.I.D.S)

4. Name the disease in humans that is caused by lack of vitamin C ( 1 mk)

5. An organ is with an exoskeleton, segmented body, two pairs of legs

7. (a) state the role of light in the process of photosynthesis ( 1 mk)

9. State three characteristics that ensure cross – pollination takes place in

10. A student set up an experiment as shown in the diagrams below

Seeds Wet cotton wool

The set up was at room temperature for a week

(c) What was the use of oil in the experiment? ( 1 mk)

(d) What observation would be made in test tube B at the end of

(e) Suggest a control for this experiment ( 1mk)

Where N = Total population of crabs in the lagoon

(c) What is the name given to this method of estimating the

17. (a) How may excessive bleeding results in death? ( 4 mks)

(a) Work out the genotypes of the F1 generation ( 4 mks)

Firm of water around

(a) Name the structures labeled K and L. ( 2 mks)

(b) Account for the shape of the graph between

(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (d) (i) above

(e) Give three reasons why it is important to control human population

1. State the functions of the following cell organelles

2. A student caught an animal which had the following characteristics:

3. What are the three end products of anaerobic respiration in plants

5. In an accident a victim suffered brain injury. Consequently he had loss of

7. State three structural differences between biceps muscles of the gut.

9. state three pieces of evidence that support the theory of evolution

SECTION B (40 MARKS)

11. The following below represents a feeding relationship in an ecosystem

(a) State the detect the person suffered from?

Time (in minutes)

(a) Suggest possible environment conditions under which the experiment

(b) Account for the results obtained for plant C

14. The diagram below represents a simplified nitrogen cycle.