NECO Biology Practical Answers [26th June] 2026/2027

NECO Biology Practical Answers [26th June] 2026/2027: The NECO Biology Practical paper is a hands-on exam where you identify specimens, draw biological diagrams, and perform basic experiments. You will observe plants, animals, and slides, write down their features, and answer questions about their habits, classes, and uses.

NECO Biology Practical SPecimen 2026/2027

NECO BIOLOGY PRACTICAL (PAPER I)
COMPLETE ANSWERS – QUESTIONS 1, 2 & 3

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QUESTION 1 (Specimens A, B, C, D, E)

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(a)(i) Identify specimens A, B, C, D and E (5 marks)

A – Pelvic girdle of rabbit/small mammal

B – Cervical vertebra of rabbit/small mammal

C – Caudal vertebra of rabbit/small mammal

D – Transverse section of pawpaw fruit

E – Transverse section of guava fruit

(a)(ii) State the location of A, B and C in the body of the animal (3 marks)

A – Located in the pelvic region (hind limb region) of the animal.

B – Located in the neck region (cervical region) of the vertebral column.

C – Located in the tail region (caudal region) of the vertebral column.

(a)(iii) Name the three bones that make up A (pelvic girdle) (3 marks)

Ilium
Ischium
Pubis

(a)(iv) State two structural differences between B (cervical vertebra) and C (caudal vertebra) (4 marks)

B (Cervical vertebra) C (Caudal vertebra)

Has a transverse foramen (foramen transversarium) 1. Does NOT have a transverse foramen
Has a prominent neural spine 2. Neural spine is reduced or absent
Has a large centrum 3. Centrum is small or reduced
Articulates with ribs (in some cases) 4. Does not articulate with ribs

(a)(v) Give two functions of B (cervical vertebra) to the organism (2 marks)

It supports the head and allows movement of the head in different directions.
It protects the spinal cord passing through the vertebral canal.

(b)(i) State the type of placentation observed in D and E (2 marks)

D (Pawpaw) – Parietal placentation

E (Guava) – Axile placentation

(b)(ii) Give one reason for each answer (2 marks)

D – The ovules are attached to the inner wall of the ovary (pericarp) on ridges.

E – The ovules are attached to a central axis (column) in the centre of the ovary.

In your answer booklet, draw the transverse section of guava fruit showing:

· Outer skin (epicarp)
· Fleshy mesocarp
· Central cavity with numerous seeds attached to the central axis
· Axile placentation with seeds embedded in the pulp
· Label: epicarp, mesocarp, seeds, central axis, placental tissue

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QUESTION 2 (Specimens F, G, H, I, J)

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(a)(i) Identify specimens F, G, H, I and J (5 marks)

F – Quill feather

G – Agama lizard

H – Rat/Rabbit (small mammal)

I – Quadrat

J – Sweeping net

(a)(ii) State three importance of F (quill feather) to the organism that possesses it (3 marks)

It is used for flight (in birds that fly).
It provides insulation to keep the bird warm.
It is used for display and camouflage.

(a)(iii) Mention three adaptive features of G (Agama lizard) to its habitat (3 marks)

It has scaly skin which prevents water loss, adapting it to dry environments.
It has claws on its toes for climbing and gripping surfaces.
It can change colour (camouflage) to blend with its surroundings and escape predators.

(a)(iv) State the class each to which G and H belong (2 marks)

G (Agama lizard) – Reptilia

H (Rat/Rabbit) – Mammalia

(a)(v) Give two structural differences between G and H (4 marks)

G (Agama lizard) H (Rat/Rabbit)

Body is covered with dry, scaly skin 1. Body is covered with fur/hair
Has claws on toes 2. Has nails on toes
Has no external ear (pinna) 3. Has prominent external ear (pinna)

(a)(vi) Give three common features in G and H that serve as evidence of convergent evolution (3 marks)

Both have a vertebral column (backbone) – they are vertebrates.
Both have paired appendages (limbs) for locomotion.
Both have a well-developed head with sensory organs (eyes, nostrils, mouth).

(b)(i) Mention one function each of I and J (2 marks)

I (Quadrat) – Used to estimate the population of plants or slow-moving animals in a given area.

J (Sweeping net) – Used to collect flying or ground-dwelling insects for study.

(b)(ii) Describe in three steps how I (quadrat) is used to perform its function (3 marks)

Place the quadrat randomly on the ground in the study area.
Count the number of individuals of the target species within the quadrat.
Repeat the process at several randomly selected points and calculate the average number per quadrat, then multiply by the total area to estimate the population.

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QUESTION 3 (Specimens K, L, M, N, O, P)

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(a)(i) Identify specimens K, L, M, N, O and P (6 marks)

K – Housefly

L – Pride of Barbados fruit/pod

M – Cashew nut

N – Millipede

O – Crab

P – Sorghum grain

(a)(ii) Give three adaptive features of K (housefly) to its mode of feeding (3 marks)

It has sponging mouthparts (labella) for sucking liquid food.
It has compound eyes that help it locate food sources.
It has sensory hairs on its legs to taste and detect food.

(a)(iii) Mention one economic importance of K (housefly) (1 mark)

It transmits disease-causing organisms (pathogens) such as those causing typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.

(a)(iv) Name the class each to which K, N and O belong (3 marks)

K (Housefly) – Insecta

N (Millipede) – Diplopoda

O (Crab) – Crustacea

(a)(v) State the habitat of K, N and O (3 marks)

K (Housefly) – Terrestrial habitat (around human settlements, refuse dumps)

N (Millipede) – Terrestrial habitat (under leaves, logs, and in moist soil)

O (Crab) – Aquatic (marine) and terrestrial (estuarine, mangrove swamps)

(a)(vi) Classify L, M and P into their fruit type (3 marks)

L (Pride of Barbados fruit/pod) – Dehiscent fruit (legume/pod)

M (Cashew nut) – Indehiscent fruit (nut)

P (Sorghum grain) – Indehiscent fruit (caryopsis/grain)

(a)(vii) State the mode of dispersal of L and M (2 marks)

L (Pride of Barbados) – Dispersed by explosive mechanism (ballistic dispersal) and by wind.

M (Cashew nut) – Dispersed by animals (zoochory) and water.

(a)(viii) Mention two observable differences between N (millipede) and O (crab) (4 marks)

N (Millipede) O (Crab)

Body is elongated and cylindrical 1. Body is flattened and broad
Has two pairs of legs per body segment 2. Has five pairs of legs (including chelipeds)
Has a distinct head with short antennae 3. Has a distinct head with long antennae
Does not have a hard exoskeleton 4. Has a hard, calcified exoskeleton (carapace)

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END OF ANSWERS – QUESTIONS 1, 2 & 3

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