WAEC Biology Syllabus 2025 covers key topics for the exam. Learn about cell biology, ecology, human body, and more. Check exam format and study tips.
WAEC Biology Syllabus 2025
Biology is the study of living things. It explains how plants, animals, and humans grow and survive. The WAEC Biology syllabus helps students understand important topics for their exams. It includes lessons on small organisms, human body systems, and nature.
This syllabus is designed to help students learn key ideas, improve their thinking skills, and understand how biology applies to real life. Some topics covered are cells, genes, the environment, and the human body.
In this article, we will explain the WAEC Biology syllabus step by step. Learning these topics will help students do well in science, think better, and understand nature more. Biology is important for careers in medicine, farming, and environmental studies. Read carefully to understand the syllabus.
WAEC Biology Exam Structure
The WAEC Biology exam has three papers: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. All students must take all three papers. Papers 1 and 2 are done in one session.
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice)
- Contains 50 questions.
- Based on topics that are common to all countries.
- Total marks: 50.
- Time allowed: 50 minutes.
Paper 2 (Essay Questions)
- Contains six questions divided into three sections.
- Section A: Four questions for all students.
- Section B: For Ghanaian students only.
- Section C: For students from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
- Students must answer two questions from Section A and all questions from either Section B or Section C.
- Each question in Section A is worth 20 marks.
- Section B and Section C are worth 30 marks each.
- Total marks: 70.
- Time allowed: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Paper 3 (Practical Work)
- School students will take a practical test.
- Private students will be assessed based on practical work.
- Section A: Two compulsory questions (25 marks each).
- Section B: One question for Ghanaian students (30 marks).
- Section C: One question for students from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia (30 marks).
- Students must answer all Section A questions and one question from Section B or Section C.
- Total marks: 80.
- Time allowed: 2 hours.
WAEC Biology Syllabus – Detailed Topics
Section A: General Biology
Living and Non-Living Things
- Difference between living and non-living things.
- Classification of living things into five kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
- Main differences between plants and animals.
Structure of Living Things
- Levels of organization:
- Cell – Example: Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium.
- Tissue – Example: Hydra.
- Organ – Example: Heart, storage organs like bulbs.
- Organ System – Example: Digestive and reproductive systems.
- Advantages and disadvantages of complex organisms.
Types of Living Cells
- Single-celled organisms: Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium.
- Colony-forming organisms: Volvox.
- Filamentous organisms: Spirogyra.
- Cells in larger organisms: Cheek cells, onion root tip cells.
Cell Parts and Functions
- Comparison of plant and animal cells.
Cell Interaction with the Environment
- How substances move in and out of cells:
- Diffusion – Movement of particles from high to low concentration.
- Osmosis – Movement of water through membranes.
- Active transport – Movement of substances using energy.
Functions of Living Cells
- Nutrition:
- Autotrophic – Plants make food through photosynthesis.
- Heterotrophic – Animals eat food.
- Respiration:
- Aerobic – Uses oxygen.
- Anaerobic – Does not use oxygen.
- Excretion: Removal of waste in simple organisms.
- Growth: Cell division and enlargement, role of growth hormones.
- Movement: Use of cilia and flagella.
- Reproduction:
- Asexual – Fission, budding, vegetative propagation.
- Sexual – Gamete formation, fertilization.
Tissues and Body Support
- Skeletal system in animals:
- Types: Exoskeleton, endoskeleton, hydrostatic skeleton.
- Materials: Bones, cartilage, chitin.
- Functions: Protection, movement, support.
- Support in plants: Strength, flexibility, rigidity.
Transport System
- Importance of transport in organisms.
- Circulatory system in animals:
- Parts: Heart, arteries, veins, capillaries.
- Blood and lymph functions.
- Transport in plants:
- Water and nutrient movement, transpiration.
Breathing and Excretion
- How living things exchange gases:
- Skin, gills, lungs, stomata in plants.
- Excretion organs:
- Kidneys, stomata, lenticels.
Internal Body Balance (Homeostasis)
- Role of kidneys, liver, and skin.
Hormonal Control
- In Animals: Hormones and their functions.
- In Plants: Growth hormones like auxins.
Nervous System
- Brain parts and functions: Cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata.
- Spinal cord and reflex actions.
Sense Organs
- Structure and function of the eye and ear.
Reproduction in Animals and Plants
- In mammals: Male and female reproductive systems, fertilization, embryo growth, birth control.
- In insects: Metamorphosis in butterflies and cockroaches.
- Pollination and fertilization in plants.
- Seed and fruit dispersal.
Nutrition
- Plants: How photosynthesis works.
- Animals: Balanced diet, digestion, enzymes.
Ecology
- How living things interact in an ecosystem.
- Food chains, food webs, and energy flow.
- Population growth and changes in the environment.
Environmental Biology
- Pollution: Causes, effects, and ways to control it.
- How organisms adapt to their surroundings.
Microorganisms and Health
- Helpful and harmful microorganisms.
- How diseases spread.
- Methods of food preservation and pest control.
WAEC Biology Syllabus – Country-Specific Topics
Section B: Plant and Animal Nutrition (For Ghana Only)
Plant Nutrition
- Photosynthesis: How plants make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
- Mineral Needs: Essential nutrients for plant growth.
Animal Nutrition
- Food and Digestion: Types of nutrients, their functions, and digestive enzymes.
- Nutrition Types: How different animals get food (autotrophic and heterotrophic).
- Digestive System: Structure and function of the digestive tract in animals.
- Teeth Structure: Types and arrangement of teeth in mammals.
- Feeding in Organisms: How simple and complex organisms take in food.
Section C: Basic Ecology (For Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia Only)
Ecosystem
- Parts of an Ecosystem: Living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.
- Roles in the Ecosystem: Producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Ecological Factors
- Effects of Environment: Light, temperature, moisture, and how they affect organisms.
Measuring Environmental Factors
- Physical Conditions: Measuring temperature, light, and humidity.
- Soil Factors: Testing soil pH, texture, and minerals.
Food Chains and Energy Flow
- Types of Organisms:
- Autotrophs – Make their own food.
- Heterotrophs – Depend on others for food.
- Trophic Levels: Food chain hierarchy and how energy moves.
- Decomposers: Break down waste and dead organisms.
Ecosystem Balance
- Relationships Between Organisms: Mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.
- Adaptations: How plants and animals adjust to their environment.
- Pollution: Causes, effects, and prevention of air, water, and land pollution.
Population and Environmental Health
- Ecological Changes: How populations grow and change over time.
- Factors Affecting Population: How living and non-living factors influence numbers.
- Food Storage: Ways to prevent food spoilage.
- Pest Control: Life cycle of insects and ways to manage pests.
Microorganisms and Human Health
- Disease Carriers: Vectors that spread diseases.
- Uses of Microorganisms: Helpful and harmful roles (e.g., fermentation, infections).
- Controlling Germs: Sterilization, disinfection, and antibiotics.
- Public Health: Ways to prevent disease and improve health in communities.
This syllabus gives students a clear understanding of biology topics for their WAEC exams. Use this guide to prepare well and succeed in your exam.
For more details on the WAEC Syllabus 2025, visit Blawg.org for helpful study guides and updates.
(Note: This is not the official WAEC website.)
FAQs on WAEC Biology Syllabus
- What topics are covered in the WAEC Biology syllabus?
- The syllabus includes cell biology, genetics, ecology, human anatomy, physiology, and environmental biology.
- How many papers are in the WAEC Biology exam?
- There are three papers: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), Paper 2 (Essay), and Paper 3 (Practical).
- Is the WAEC Biology syllabus the same for all countries?
- No, Section B is for Ghana, and Section C is for Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
- How long does the Biology exam last?
- Paper 1 lasts 50 minutes, Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 40 minutes, and Paper 3 lasts 2 hours.
- What is the best way to prepare for the WAEC Biology exam?
- Study the syllabus, practice past questions, and understand key concepts in biology.
