WAEC Biology Syllabus 2025/2026
Studying using this approved WAEC Biology Syllabus 2025/2026 will help you ace the WAEC Biology exam. Quit studying aimlessly.
For anyone studying for the WAEC exam and planning to write a biology paper, this syllabus is a great resource.
It outlines the essential readings for your tests as well as the primary subjects that will be examined, such as the fundamentals of life, evolution and adaptation, animal support systems, and heredity.
You receive a list of suggested textbooks and other study materials to aid in your exam preparation in addition to a list of subjects and their goals.
You receive a list of suggested textbooks and other study materials to aid in your exam preparation in addition to a list of subjects and their goals.
After downloading, reading, and studying this syllabus, test your level of preparation by answering practice questions to determine how well-prepared you are for the tests.
- There are three sections to this exam syllabus:
- All candidates should use Section A.
- Section B is exclusively for Ghanaian candidates.
- Candidates from Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Nigeria are eligible to apply in Section C.
- Additionally, there will be three papers: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3.
- All papers must be taken. We will take Papers 1 and 2 all at once.
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WAEC Biology Syllabus 2025/2026
WAEC Biology SYLLABUS | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| PART A | ||
| 1 | CONCEPT OF LIVING | i. Living and non-living thingsii. Classification of living things into Kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista (Protista), Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.iii. Differences between plants and animals |
| 2 | ORGANIZATION OF LIFE | i. Cell (single-celled organisms): Amoeba, Euglena, Parameciumii. Tissue: Hydraiii. Organ (storage organ) bulb, rhizome and heart.iv. System/Organ System: In mammals, flowering plants – reproductive, excretory systems, etc.v. The complexity of organization in higher organisms: advantages and disadvantages. |
| 3 | FORMS IN WHICH LIVING CELLS EXIST. | i. Single and free-living: Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena, and Chlamydomonasii. Colony: Volvoxiii. Filament: Spirogyraiv. Part of a living organism: Cheek cells, onion root tip cells and epidermis of fleshy leaves. |
| 4 | CELL | i. Cell structure and functions of cell componentsii. Similarities and differences between plant and animal cellsiii. The Cell and its environment: Physical and Biophysical processes; (a) diffusion (b) osmosis (c) active transportiv. Properties and functions of the living cell; (a) Nutrition (i) Autotrophic (photosynthesis) (ii) Heterotrophic (holozoic) |
| 5 | CELLULAR RESPIRATION | Definition and processes of:i. aerobic respirationii. anaerobic respirationiii. energy release |
| 6 | EXCRETION | i. Excretion in single-celled aquatic organisms. Diffusion by body surface and by the contractile vacuole.ii. Waste products of metabolism |
| 7 | GROWTH | i. Basis of growth – cell division (mitosis), enlargement and differentiation.ii. Aspects of growth: Increase in dry weight, irreversible increase in size and length and increase in the number of cellsiii. Regions of the fastest growth in plantsiv. Influence of growth hormones and auxinsv. Growth curvatures (Tropisms)vi. Development: Enlargement and differentiationvii. Movementa) Organelles for movement: cilia and flagellab) Cyclosis |
| 8 | REPRODUCTION | Types of reproduction.i. Asexual: fission, budding and vegetative propagation.ii. Sexual: Conjugation, formation of male and female gametes (gametogenesis), a fusion of gametes fertilization) |
| 9 | SKELETON AND SUPPORTING SYSTEMS IN ANIMALS | Biological significance.i. Skeletal materials, e.g. boneii. Cartilage and chitiniii. Types of skeletoniv. The exoskeleton, endoskeleton and hydrostatic skeleton.v. Bones of the vertebralvi. Column, girdles and long bones of the appendicular skeleton.vii. Mechanism of support in animals.viii. Functions of the skeleton in animals: Protection, support, locomotion and respiratory movement. |
| 10 | DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPPORTING TISSUES IN PLANTS | i. Main features of supporting tissues in plantsii. Functions of supporting tissues in plants: strength, rigidity (resistance against the forces of the wind and water), flexibility and resilience |
| 11 | TRANSPORT SYSTEM | i. Need for transporta) surface area/volume ratiob) substances have to move greater distances.ii. Transport in animalsa) Structure of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries.b) Composition and function of blood and lymph.c) Materials for transport: excretory products, gases, digested food, and other nutrientsiii. Transport in plantsa) Uptake and movement of water and mineral salts in plants.iv. Movement of water to the apex of trees and herbs |
| 12 | RESPIRATORY SYSTEM | i. Body surface: cutaneous, gills and lungsii. Mechanisms of gaseous exchange in fish, toads, mammals and plants. |
| 13 | EXCRETORY SYSTEM | i. Excretory Systems and Mechanismsii. Types of excretory systems: Kidney, stomata and lenticelsiii. Characteristics of excretory organs in these systems should be studied.iv. Candidates should observe, draw and label the excretory organs of a small mammal (e.g. rat)v. Explanation of the concept of excretion in plants. Plant excretory products (water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, alkaloids, tannins, gums, resins and acids) should be mentioned. |
| 14 | REGULATION OF INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT (HOMEOSTASIS) | i. Kidney: Structure and functionsii. Liveriii. Functions of the liveriv. The skin: Structure and function |
| 15 | HORMONAL COORDINATION | i. Animal hormones: Site of secretion, functions and effects of over and under-secretionii. Plant hormones |
| 16 | NERVOUS COORDINATION | i. The central nervous systema) Components of the central nervous systemb) Parts of the brain and their functions; cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus and their functionsc) Structure and function of the Spinal Cord.ii. Peripheral Nervous System.a) Somatic Nervous Systemb) Autonomic nervous systemc) Structure and functions of the neuroned) Classification of neuronesiii. Types of nervous actionsa) The reflex arcb) Reflex and voluntary actionsc) Differences between reflex and voluntary actions.d) Conditioned reflex and its role in the behaviour |
| 17 | SENSE ORGANS | i. Structure and function of thea) Eyeb) Ear |
| 18 | THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF MAMMALS | i. The reproductive system of mammals a) Structure and function of male and female reproductive systems. b) Differences between male and female reproductive organs. c) Structure of the gametes (sperm and ovum) d) Fertilization, development of the embryo and birth. e) Birth controlii. Metamorphosis in insects, life histories of butterfly and cockroachiii. Comparison of reproduction in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammaliv. Reproduction in flowering plants a) Arrangements of floral parts of a named insect-pollinated flower and a named wind-pollinated flower. b) Structure and function of the male and female parts of a flower.v. Pollination in Plants a) Types of pollination b) Features of cross-pollinated and self-pollinated flowers c) Agents of Pollinationvi. Process of development of zygote in flowering plants a) Fertilization b) Types of fruits (classification). c) Structure of fruitsvii. Dispersal of fruits and seeds: Agents of dispersal |
| 19 | PLANT AND ANIMAL NUTRITION | 1. Plant Nutritioni. Photosynthesis:Process of photosynthesis and its chemical equationLight and dark reactionsMaterials and conditions necessary for photosynthesisEvidence of photosynthesisii. Mineral requirement of plantsMineral nutrition: Macro and micro-nutrientsSoil and atmosphere as sources of mineral elements2. Animal Nutritioni. Food substances; classes and sourcesii. A balanced diet and its importanceiii. Digestive enzymes: Classes, characteristics and functionsiv. Modes of Nutritiona) Autotrophic: Photosynthesis,b) Heterotrophic: holozoic, parasitic, symbiotic and saprophyticv. Alimentary System: Alimentary tract of different animalsvi. Dental Formulavii. Feeding in protozoa and mammals |
| 20 | BASIC ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS | i. Ecosystem: Components of the ecosystem and sizes a) Ecological components: environment, biosphere, habitat, population, biotic community and ecosystem b) Components of the ecosystem: Biotic and abioticii. Ecological factors: Ecological factors in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystemsiii. Simple Measurement of Ecological Factors. a) Physical factors: Climatic, topographic and gaseous. b) Edaphic factors: Chemical and physical composition, moisture content and soil textureiv. Food webs and trophic levels a) Autotrophs and Heterotrophs • Producers: autotrophs • Consumers: heterotrophs • Decomposers b) The trophic levels energy relationship • Food chain • Food webv. Energy flow a) Food/Energy relationship in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. b) Pyramid of energy and the Pyramid of numbers.vi. Decomposition in nature a) Decomposers: (micro and macro-decomposers) b) Gaseous products c) Role of decomposersvii. Ecological Management: a) Biological Associations b) Type of associations: Parasitism, symbiosis, commensalism and saprophytism. c) Adaptation of organisms to habitats.viii. Pollution of the atmosphere a) Nature, names, sources and effects of air pollutants b) Effect of noiseix. Water and Soil Pollution a) Type and effects of pollutantsx. Ecology of population a) Ecological succession • Structural changes in species composition, variety or diversity and increase in numbers. • General characteristics and outcomes of succession b) Primary succession c) Succession in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. d) Secondary succession, the climax of the succession: characteristic of a stable ecosystemxi. Factors that affect the population size: natality, mortality, emigration, immigration, food shortage, predation, competition and diseases.xii. Preservation and storage of foodsxiii. The life of selected insects; a) Weevils and cotton strainers b) Control of pestsxiv. Microorganisms: Man and health a) Carriers of microorganisms b) Microorganisms in action • Beneficial effects in nature, medicine and industries. • Harmful effects of micro-organisms, diseases caused by microorganisms: cholera, measles, malaria and ringworm c) Towards Better Health • Methods of .controlling harmful microorganisms: high temperature, antibiotics, antiseptics, high salinity and dehydration. • Ways of controlling the vectors d) Public Health: The importance of the following towards the maintenance of good health practices: • Refuse and sewage disposal. • Immunization, vaccination and inoculation (control of diseases) |
| 21 | CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | i. Resources to be conserved: soil, water, wildlife, forest and minerals. ii. Ways of ensuring conservation |
WAEC Biology Recommended Textbooks 2025/2026
| S/N | Author(s) | Title | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ndu, F.O. C., Ndu, Abun A., and Aina, J.O. | Senior Secondary School Biology: Books 1–3 | 2001 | Longman |
| 2 | Odunfa, S.A. | Essential of Biology | 2001 | Heinemann |
| 3 | Ogunniyi, M.B., Adebisi, A.A., and Okojie, J.A. | Biology for Senior Secondary Schools: Books 1–3 | 2000 | Macmillan |
| 4 | Ramalingam, S.T. | Modern Biology, SS Science Series (New Edition) | 2005 | AFP |
| 5 | STAN (Science Teachers Association of Nigeria) | Biology for Senior Secondary Schools (Revised Edition) | 2004 | Heinemann |
| 6 | Stone, R.H. and Cozens, A.B.C. | Biology for West African Schools | 1982 | Longman |
| 7 | Usua, E.J. | Handbook of Practical Biology (2nd Edition) | 1997 | University Press |
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