This page contains the NECO 2026 Biology Practical (Paper I) questions and answers. The official question paper images are shown first, followed by the full answers for Questions 1, 2 and 3.

NECO 2026 Biology Practical Questions and Answers (Paper I)

NECO 2026 Biology Practical — Official Question Paper

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NECO 2026 Biology Practical — Full Answers

Question 1 – Specimen Identification and Placentation

(1ai) Identification of Specimens

A: Pelvic girdle of rabbit/small mammal
B: Cervical vertebrae of rabbit/small mammal
C: Caudal vertebrae of rabbit/small mammal
D: Transverse section of paw-paw fruit
E: Transverse section of guava fruit

(1aii) Region of the Body for Specimens A–C

A: Hip/pelvic region (posterior region of the trunk)
B: Neck region (between the skull and thoracic vertebrae)
C: Tail region (posterior to the sacral vertebrae)

(1aiii) Parts of Specimen A (Pelvic Girdle)

(i) Ilium
(ii) Ischium
(iii) Pubis

(1aiv) Features of Specimens B and C

Specimen	Features
B – Cervical vertebrae	(i) Has a large, broad neural canal/spine (ii) Has transverse processes with foramina (holes for blood vessels)
C – Caudal vertebrae	(i) Has a small or absent neural canal (ii) Transverse processes are absent or rudimentary

(1av) Functions of Specimen B (Cervical Vertebrae)

(i) Supports and allows movement of the head (nodding and rotation)
(ii) Protects the spinal cord passing through the neural canal

(1bi) Type of Placentation in Specimens D and E

D (Paw-paw): Parietal placentation
E (Guava): Axile placentation

(1bii) Description of Placentation

D (Paw-paw): The ovules/seeds are attached to the wall of the ovary.
E (Guava): The ovules/seeds are attached to the central axis where the septa meet.

Question 2 – Vertebrate Adaptations and Ecological Instruments

(2ai) Identification of Specimens

F: Quill feather
G: Agama lizard
H: Rat/rabbit
I: Quadrat
J: Sweeping net

(2aii) Functions of Specimen F (Quill Feather)

(i) Used for flight/enables the bird to fly.
(ii) Provides insulation/helps to regulate body temperature.
(iii) Provides streamlined body shape to reduce air resistance during flight.

(2aiii) Adaptive Features of Specimen G (Agama Lizard)

(i) Scaly skin to reduce water loss in dry/terrestrial environment.
(ii) Clawed toes for gripping and climbing on rocks and trees.
(iii) Camouflage coloration to blend with surroundings for protection from predators.

(2aiv) Classification of G and H

G (Agama lizard): Class Reptilia
H (Rat/rabbit): Class Mammalia

(2av) Differences between G and H

Feature	G – Agama lizard	H – Rat/rabbit
Body covering	Body covered with dry scales	Body covered with hair/fur
Temperature regulation	Ectothermic (cold-blooded) – no diaphragm	Endothermic (warm-blooded) – has a diaphragm

(2avi) Similarities between G and H

(i) Both have four limbs (tetrapods).
(ii) Both have a tail.
(iii) Both have eyes and ears (sensory organs) used for detecting the environment.

(2bi) Uses of Specimens I and J

I (Quadrat): Used to estimate the population/abundance of organisms in a given habitat.
J (Sweeping net): Used to collect/sample small flying or crawling insects from vegetation.

(2bii) How to Use Specimen I (Quadrat)

(i) The quadrat is thrown/placed randomly on the ground in the study area.
(ii) All organisms (plants or animals) within the quadrat are identified and counted.
(iii) The count is repeated in several quadrats and an average is calculated to estimate population size per unit area.

Question 3 – Invertebrates and Fruit Types

(3a) Identification of Specimens

K: Housefly
L: Pride of Barbados fruit/pod
M: Cashew nut
N: Millipede
O: Crab
P: Sorghum grain

(3aii) Features of Specimen K (Housefly) Related to Feeding

(i) Has sponging/lapping mouthparts (proboscis) for sucking liquid food.
(ii) Has sticky foot pads to enable it land on any surface including food.
(iii) Produces saliva containing digestive enzymes to liquefy solid food before ingestion.

(3aiii) Economic Importance of Specimen K (Housefly)

It is a vector/carrier of diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery, causing economic burden through healthcare costs.

(3bi) Classification of Specimens K, N and O

K (Housefly): Class Insecta
N (Millipede): Class Diplopoda
O (Crab): Class Crustacea

(3bii) Habitats of Specimens K, N and O

K (Housefly): Terrestrial/human settlements/refuse dumps.
N (Millipede): Terrestrial/damp soil, under decaying leaves/logs.
O (Crab): Aquatic/semi-aquatic (freshwater, marine or mangrove swamps).

(3ci) Fruit Types of Specimens L, M and P

L (Pride of Barbados): Legume/pod (dry dehiscent fruit).
M (Cashew nut): Nut (dry indehiscent fruit).
P (Sorghum grain): Caryopsis/grain (dry indehiscent fruit).

(3cii) Features of Specimens N and O

Specimen	Features
N – Millipede	(i) Has many legs (two pairs per segment). (ii) Body is long and cylindrical/worm-like.
O – Crab	(i) Has ten legs (five pairs). (ii) Body is broad, flat and oval/rounded with a hard carapace.

✅ NECO 2026 Biology Practical – All Questions Completed