2023 - JAMB Biology Past Questions and Answers - page 5

Competition leads to the selection of individuals with favourable traits for survival and reproduction.

In a competitive environment, individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes to the next generation. 

Over time, this process contributes to the adaptation of populations to their specific ecological niches.

Fertilization is the process involved in the reproduction of developing organisms. It is the fusion of male and female gametes (sperm and egg) to form a zygote, initiating the development of a new individual.

Budding, germination, and pollination are processes related to reproduction but are not specifically associated with the fusion of gametes.

Industrial discharge is a primary source of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. It refers to the release of pollutants such as chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants into water bodies from industrial activities. This discharge can have detrimental effects on water quality, aquatic organisms, and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

The alternate form of a gene is called an allele. Alleles are different versions of a gene that occupy the same position (locus) on homologous chromosomes. These alleles can be dominant or recessive, influencing the expression of a particular trait in an organism.

In monohybrid inheritance, if an organism carries two different alleles for a particular gene, it is called heterozygous. Heterozygosity means that the individual has different alleles at a specific gene locus, one inherited from each parent.

Implementing sustainable fishing practices is an example of conserving resources in an ecosystem.

Sustainable fishing aims to manage fish populations to prevent overfishing, ensuring the long-term health of the aquatic ecosystem and maintaining the availability of fish as a resource.

The gland responsible for producing the hormone insulin is the pancreas. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy storage and use.

Viviparity refers to the reproductive strategy in which offspring develop and are nourished inside the female's body. This involves internal fertilization and the provision of nutrients to the developing embryos within the mother's reproductive system.

The primary products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen. During photosynthesis, plants and other photosynthetic organisms use carbon dioxide and water, along with light energy, to produce glucose (a sugar) and release oxygen as a byproduct.

A natural habitat in ecology is an area where organisms naturally live and interact with their surroundings. It refers to the environment where a particular species or community of organisms has evolved and adapted to live, reproduce, and fulfill its ecological role without human intervention.