WAEC Syllabus for Biology 2025

Biology is the study of life and living organisms, covering everything from tiny microorganisms to complex human systems. The WAEC Syllabus for Biology serves as a roadmap for students preparing for their examinations, outlining key topics they need to master. This syllabus is carefully structured to help students develop a solid understanding of biological concepts, practical applications, and scientific reasoning. It covers areas such as cell biology, genetics, ecology, human anatomy, and physiology, ensuring students grasp both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

In this article, we will show you all you need to know about the WAEC Syllabus for Biology. By following the WAEC Biology syllabus, students can build a strong foundation in science, improve their analytical skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Whether you are pursuing a career in medicine, agriculture, or environmental science, a good grasp of biology is essential. Ensure you read this article carefully.

Table of Contents

WAEC Syllabus for Biology

The Biology examination will consist of three papers: Papers 1, 2, and 3. Candidates are required to take all three papers. Papers 1 and 2 will be combined and taken in one session.

Paper 1:

This will contain fifty multiple-choice questions based on Section A of the syllabus, which covers topics common to all participating countries. This section will be worth 50 marks and will last for 50 minutes.

Paper 2:

This will consist of six essay questions drawn from the entire syllabus, divided into three sections:

Section A: Includes four questions from Section A of the syllabus.
Section B: Exclusive to candidates in Ghana, covering topics unique to the country, presented as short-structured questions.
Section C: Designed for candidates from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia, focusing on country-specific content, also in short-structured question format.

Candidates must answer two questions from Section A and all questions from either Section B or Section C. Each question in Section A carries 20 marks, while Sections B and C carry 30 marks, making a total of 70 marks. This paper will last 1 hour 40 minutes.

Paper 3:

This will be a practical test for school candidates or an assessment of practical work for private candidates. It will last 2 hours and have three sections:

Section A: Contains two compulsory questions from Section A of the syllabus, each worth 25 marks.
Section B: For Ghanaian candidates only, with one question worth 30 marks.
Section C: For candidates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia, containing one question worth 30 marks.

All questions in Section A must be answered, along with one question from either Section B or Section C. This paper carries 80 marks in total.

Detailed Syllabus

Section A: General Biology Topics

Concept of Living Organisms

Classification of living and non-living things.
Grouping of organisms into kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Key differences between plants and animals.

Organization of Life

Levels of organization: Cell (e.g., Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium), Tissue (e.g., Hydra), Organ (e.g., heart, storage organs like bulbs and rhizomes), and Organ System (e.g., reproductive, excretory systems in mammals and flowering plants).
Complexity in higher organisms, along with its advantages and disadvantages.

Forms of Living Cells

Unicellular organisms: Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium, Chlamydomonas.
Colony-forming organisms: Volvox.
Filamentous organisms: Spirogyra.
Cells as part of a larger organism: Cheek cells, onion root tip cells, epidermis of fleshy leaves.

Cell Structure and Functions

Comparison of plant and animal cells, including their similarities and differences.

Cell Interaction with the Environment

Processes like diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Properties and Functions of Living Cells

Nutrition:

Autotrophic (photosynthesis).
Heterotrophic (holozoic feeding).

Respiration:

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including energy release.

Excretion:

Waste removal in unicellular organisms.

Growth:

Cell division, enlargement, and differentiation.
Role of growth hormones like auxins.

Movement:

Organelles like cilia and flagella.

Reproduction:

Asexual (fission, budding, vegetative propagation).
Sexual (gamete formation, fertilization).

Tissues and Support Systems

Skeletal systems in animals: Exoskeleton, endoskeleton, and hydrostatic skeleton.
Skeletal materials like bones, cartilage, and chitin.
Functions of the skeleton: Protection, support, movement.
Supporting tissues in plants and their functions, including strength, flexibility, and rigidity.

Transport System

Importance of transport in organisms (surface area to volume ratio).
Circulatory system in animals: Structure of the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, and functions of blood and lymph.
Transport in plants: Water and nutrient uptake, translocation, transpiration.

Respiratory System

Methods of gaseous exchange: Skin, gills, lungs, and stomata in plants.

Excretory Systems

Organs involved: Kidneys, stomata, and lenticels.

Homeostasis (Internal Regulation)

Functions of the kidney, liver, and skin in maintaining internal balance.

Hormonal Coordination

Animal hormones: Sites of secretion, functions, and effects of imbalances.
Plant hormones and their roles in growth.

Nervous Coordination

Structure and function of the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus).
Spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.
Reflex and voluntary actions.

Sense Organs

Structure and function of the eye and ear.

Reproduction in Animals and Plants

Male and female reproductive systems in mammals.
Fertilization, embryo development, and birth control.
Metamorphosis in insects (e.g., butterfly, cockroach).
Comparison of reproduction in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Pollination and fertilization in plants.
Seed and fruit dispersal.

Nutrition

Plants: Photosynthesis, light and dark reactions, mineral nutrition.
Animals: Balanced diet, food digestion, digestive enzymes, feeding adaptations.

Ecology

Ecosystem components and interactions.
Food chains, food webs, and energy flow.
Population dynamics and ecological succession.

Environmental Biology

Pollution: Causes, effects, and control.
Adaptations of organisms to their habitats.

Microorganisms and Health

Harmful and beneficial microorganisms.
Disease-causing organisms and their transmission.
Food preservation and pest control.

Section B (For Ghana Only) & Section C (For Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia Only)

These sections cover country-specific topics and practical applications of biology relevant to each nation’s syllabus. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Biology syllabus is organized into several sections, with Sections B and C covering specific topics. Section B focuses on “Plant and Animal Nutrition,” while Section C addresses “Basic Ecological Concepts.” Below are the topics covered in these sections:

Section B: Plant and Animal Nutrition

Plant Nutrition

Photosynthesis: understanding the process by which plants synthesize food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Mineral requirements of plants: essential nutrients and their roles in plant growth and development.

Animal Nutrition

Food substances, balanced diet, and digestive enzymes: types of nutrients, their functions, and the role of enzymes in digestion.
Modes of nutrition: various nutritional strategies among animals, including autotrophic and heterotrophic modes.
Alimentary system: structure and function of the digestive tract in different animals.
Dental formula: understanding the arrangement and types of teeth in mammals.
Feeding in protozoa and mammals: mechanisms of nutrient intake and processing in simple and complex organisms.

Section C: Basic Ecological Concepts

Ecosystem

Ecological components: understanding biotic and abiotic factors and their interactions within ecosystems.
Components of the ecosystem: producers, consumers, decomposers, and their roles.

Ecological Factors

Ecological factors in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: factors such as light, temperature, and moisture that influence living organisms.

Simple Measurement of Ecological Factors

Physical factors: methods to measure environmental parameters like temperature, light intensity, and humidity.
Edaphic factors: assessment of soil properties, including pH, texture, and mineral content.

Food Webs and Trophic Levels

Autotrophs and heterotrophs: organisms that produce their food versus those that consume others.
Trophic levels and energy flow: understanding the hierarchical levels in food chains and the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
Decomposition in nature: the role of decomposers in nutrient cycling.

Ecological Management

Biological associations: interactions among organisms, such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Adaptation of organisms to habitats: how organisms evolve features to survive in specific environments.
Pollution of the atmosphere, water, and soil: sources, effects, and control measures.

Ecology of Population

Ecological succession: the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.
Factors affecting population size: biotic and abiotic factors that influence population dynamics.
Preservation and storage of foods: methods to prevent food spoilage and wastage.
The life of selected insects and control of pests: understanding insect life cycles and pest management strategies.

Microorganisms: Man and Health

Carriers of microorganisms: vectors that transmit pathogens.
Microorganisms in action: beneficial and harmful roles of microorganisms in processes like fermentation and disease causation.
Methods of controlling harmful microorganisms: sterilization, disinfection, and use of antibiotics.
Public health: measures to prevent disease and promote health in communities.

The topics included in the WAEC Syllabus for Biology provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrition in plants and animals, as well as fundamental ecological principles essential for the WAEC Biology examination. Ensure you read this article carefully to be guided as you prepare for your exams. We believe you found this article helpful and by following this guide, you will excel in your exams.

WAEC Syllabus for Biology 2025