JUPEB Biology
Past Questions
16+ verified Biology past questions for JUPEB. Step-by-step worked answers in 5 Nigerian languages.
Biology topics (2)
Sample Biology past questions
1. Photosynthesis happens in the:
- A. Mitochondrion
- B. Chloroplast
- C. Nucleus
- D. Vacuole
Answer: B
2. Mendel's first law is the law of:
- A. Independence
- B. Segregation
- C. Dominance
- D. Heredity
Answer: B
AI Explanation
**The reasoning** Gregor Mendel discovered several fundamental laws of inheritance. His **First Law** (also called the Law of Segregation) states that: *During gamete formation (making sperm or egg cells), the two alleles (gene variants) for each trait separate, so each gamete carries only ONE allele for each gene.* Think of it this way: If you're heterozygous Tt (tall), your body doesn't pass "Tt" to your child. Instead, the T and t **segregate** (separate) during meiosis, so each sperm/egg gets either T *or* t — never both. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Independence** is Mendel's *Second* Law (different genes assort independently) - **Dominance** describes how one allele masks another (Tt looks tall), but it's not called Mendel's First Law - **Heredity** is the general concept of traits passing down, too broad to be a specific law **Quick takeaway** Remember: **"FIRST = SEGREGATION"** — allele pairs split up during gamete formation, one allele per sex cell. This is the foundation of everything else in genetics!
3. Genes are located on:
- A. Ribosomes
- B. Chromosomes
- C. Mitochondria
- D. Vacuoles
Answer: B
4. The site of protein synthesis is the:
- A. Nucleus
- B. Ribosome
- C. Golgi body
- D. Lysosome
Answer: B
AI Explanation
**The reasoning** Think of protein synthesis like building a house. The **nucleus** holds the blueprints (DNA), but the actual construction happens elsewhere. The blueprints are copied into mRNA (messenger RNA), which then travels out of the nucleus to the **ribosome** — the cellular factory where proteins are assembled. Ribosomes read the mRNA code and link amino acids together in the correct sequence to form proteins. This process is called **translation**. So ribosomes are literally the workbenches where proteins are built, piece by piece. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Nucleus (A)** — You might pick this because DNA is here, and DNA contains genetic information for making proteins. But the nucleus only *stores* instructions; it doesn't build proteins. - **Golgi body (C)** — This one modifies and packages proteins *after* they're made, like a post-office sorting parcels. - **Lysosome (D)** — This actually *breaks down* proteins and waste materials — the opposite of building them! **Quick takeaway** Nucleus = blueprint storage; Ribosome = construction site where proteins are actually assembled from amino acids.
5. Which process produces gametes?
- A. Mitosis
- B. Meiosis
- C. Binary fission
- D. Budding
Answer: B
6. Insulin regulates the level of ___ in blood.
- A. Protein
- B. Glucose
- C. Fat
- D. Water
Answer: B
7. Natural selection was proposed by:
- A. Mendel
- B. Darwin
- C. Pasteur
- D. Watson
Answer: B
8. The basic unit of heredity is the:
- A. Cell
- B. Nucleus
- C. Gene
- D. Chromosome
Answer: C
AI Explanation
A gene is a unit of DNA that codes for a specific trait — the basic unit of heredity.
9. DNA is found mainly in the:
- A. Cell wall
- B. Mitochondria only
- C. Nucleus
- D. Cytoplasm
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Most DNA is in the nucleus. Mitochondria also contain a small amount of their own DNA.
10. Photosynthesis takes place in the:
- A. Mitochondria
- B. Chloroplast
- C. Nucleus
- D. Ribosome
Answer: B
AI Explanation
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis in plants and algae.
11. Which blood cell fights infection?
- A. Red blood cell
- B. Platelet
- C. White blood cell
- D. Plasma cell only
Answer: C
AI Explanation
White blood cells (leucocytes) are the primary defenders of the immune system.
12. The process by which water moves from an area of high to low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane is:
- A. Diffusion
- B. Osmosis
- C. Active transport
- D. Filtration
Answer: B
AI Explanation
Osmosis is specifically the diffusion of WATER across a semi-permeable membrane.
13. Which kingdom do mushrooms belong to?
- A. Plantae
- B. Animalia
- C. Fungi
- D. Protista
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Mushrooms are fungi — they lack chlorophyll and feed on decaying organic matter.
14. How many chromosomes do human somatic cells normally have?
- A. 23
- B. 44
- C. 46
- D. 92
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in each somatic cell. Gametes have 23.
15. Which vitamin is produced in the human skin from sunlight?
- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin B
- C. Vitamin C
- D. Vitamin D
Answer: D
AI Explanation
UV light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to vitamin D₃.
16. The hormone insulin is produced in the:
- A. Liver
- B. Kidneys
- C. Pancreas
- D. Lungs
Answer: C
AI Explanation
Beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas secrete insulin to regulate blood glucose.
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