If you are a teacher or a student preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) biology examination, you might be wondering what the waec biology practical specimen 2023 are and how to use them. The waec biology practical specimen 2023 is samples of living or non-living organisms that are used to test the practical skills and knowledge of candidates. They are carefully selected to cover various aspects of the biology curriculum and provide candidates with hands-on experience.

In this article, we will explore the different specimens for the waec biology practical 2023 and their significance. We will also provide you with the materials, procedures, and answers for each specimen. By understanding the characteristics and practical applications of each specimen, you will be able to better prepare for the examination and enhance your overall performance.

Specimen A: Mature fresh eggs of catfish

Mature fresh eggs of catfish are one of the specimens included in the waec biology practical 2023. These eggs serve as a representative sample to study the reproductive system of fish. They are usually obtained from mature female catfish during their breeding season. The eggs are spherical and have a gel-like outer covering.

Materials – WAEC Biology Practical Specimen 2023

A petri dish
A hand lens or a magnifying lens
A scalpel or a razor blade
A pair of forceps
A spatula
A dropper
Water
Iodine solution
Fehling’s solution A and B

Procedure – WAEC Biology Practical Specimen 2023

Place a few eggs of catfish in a petri dish and add some water to moisten them.
Observe the eggs with a hand lens or a magnifying lens and note their shape, size, color, and texture.
Carefully cut open one egg with a scalpel or a razor blade and use a pair of forceps to remove the embryo.
Place the embryo on a clean slide and observe it with a hand lens or a magnifying lens. Note the features of the embryo, such as the head, eyes, gills, heart, tail, etc.
Use a spatula to transfer some of the yolk from the egg to another slide and add a drop of iodine solution. Observe the color change and note the presence or absence of starch.
Use a dropper to transfer some of the albumen from the egg to another slide and add a few drops of Fehling’s solution A and B. Heat the slide gently and observe the color change and note the presence or absence of reducing sugar.

Answers – waec biology practical specimen 2023

The eggs of catfish are spherical, small, yellowish, and sticky.
The embryo of catfish has a head, eyes, gills, heart, tail, and other organs. It is transparent and has a segmented body.
The yolk of the egg contains starch, as indicated by the blue-black color produced by iodine solution.
The albumen of the egg contains reducing sugar, as indicated by the brick-red color produced by Fehling’s solution.

Practical Applications

Studying the mature fresh eggs of catfish allows candidates to:

Identify the different stages of embryonic development.
Understand the process of fertilization and embryogenesis.
Learn about the adaptations and reproductive strategies of fish.

Summary of Specimen A – waec biology practical specimen 2023

Class: Pisces Type of fertilization: External Reproductive method: Oviparity

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