General Practical Biology I — 2025 Past Questions

University of Ilorin BIO107: 86 questions.

Topics: Common laboratory hazards., Measurements in biology, Use of common laboratory apparatus, Uses and care of microscope, Biological drawings and illustration, scaling, accuracy and proportion, Prevention and first aid, Compound and dissecting microscope.

1. When you mistakenly break a mercury in glass thermometer, what should you do?
   1. Leave the scene immediately and call for help.
   2. Sweep the mercury into a dustpan.
   3. Pick up the pieces with your bare hands.
   4. Pour water over the spill.
2. What is the function of wearing goggles in the lab?
   1. To prevent eyestrain.
   2. To improve visibility.
   3. To protect against chemical splashes.
   4. To look more professional.
3. When a lab experiment is concluded, what should you do?
   1. Leave the materials on the bench.
   2. Talk about it to your lab instructor.
   3. Throw away all the chemicals.
   4. Store all the equipment in the right place.
4. When using color, what should be considered when drawing a biological diagram?
   1. Make sure the colors are bright.
   2. Make sure the colors match the specimen.
   3. Use as many colors as possible.
   4. Avoid using colors altogether.
5. Another name for the eyepiece is what?
   1. Objective lens
   2. Ocular lens
   3. Condenser
   4. Stage
6. What is the function of the condenser in a microscope?
   1. To magnify the specimen.
   2. To focus the light onto the specimen.
   3. To hold the slide.
   4. To adjust the brightness.
7. What is the function of a centrifuge?
   1. To heat liquids.
   2. To mix solutions.
   3. To separate liquid components based on density.
   4. To measure the volume of a liquid.
8. Why is it important to calibrate before using lab apparatus?
   1. To make them look new.
   2. To ensure the accuracy of the measurements.
   3. To clean them.
   4. To prolong their lifespan.
9. What is used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid?
   1. A beaker
   2. A flask
   3. A measuring cylinder
   4. A test tube
10. What is the last thing to be done before leaving the lab?
    1. Pack your bag.
    2. Wash your hands.
    3. Turn off the lights.
    4. Lock the door.
11. No chemical or equipment should be removed from the lab, no matter what. Is this statement true or false?
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only with permission
    4. Only small items
12. What is the total magnification given an objective lens of 40x and an eyepiece of 10x?
    1. 40x
    2. 50x
    3. 400x
    4. 4000x
13. Why is a thick line avoided when drawing a biological diagram?
    1. To enable correction when needed.
    2. To make the drawing look bigger.
    3. To save ink.
    4. To make the drawing stand out.
14. Find the mean of 2.44, 2.325, and 2.05 to the correct significant figures.
    1. 2.27
    2. 2.272
    3. 2.2717
    4. 2.3
15. What's used for drawing transparent structures?
    1. Cross-hatching
    2. Stippling
    3. Shading
    4. Outlining
16. Which of the following should be added when drawing a microscope?
    1. Scale, labels, and other standard elements.
    2. Name of the biologist.
    3. Date of discovery.
    4. All of the above.
17. Who invented the compound microscope?
    1. Zacharias Jansen
    2. Anton van Leeuwenhoek
    3. Robert Hooke
    4. Louis Pasteur
18. What is the function of a legend in a biological diagram?
    1. To provide a title for the diagram.
    2. To represent symbols and abbreviations used in the diagram.
    3. To indicate the scale of the drawing.
    4. To list the materials used in the experiment.
19. The expression milli means what?
    1. 10⁻⁶
    2. 10³
    3. 10⁻³
    4. 10⁻²
20. What is used to measure electric conductivity?
    1. A multimeter
    2. An ammeter
    3. A conductivity meter
    4. A voltmeter
21. You should be able to access the laboratory and get any chemical you need at any time.
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only on weekdays
    4. Only with a supervisor
22. All chemicals in the lab should be considered dangerous.
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only flammable ones
    4. Only corrosive ones
23. What should be used to clean the lens of a microscope?
    1. A cotton swab and water
    2. A paper towel and alcohol
    3. 70% ethanol and lens paper
    4. A handkerchief
24. How many significant figures are in 0.0025?
    1. 1
    2. 2
    3. 3
    4. 4
25. How should combustible chemicals be stored in a lab?
    1. Store in a well-ventilated area.
    2. Store in a heat-resistant cabinet.
    3. Store near an open flame.
    4. Store in a refrigerator.
26. What is used to show texture in a drawing?
    1. Cross-hatching
    2. Stippling
    3. Outlining
    4. Shading
27. What is an advantage of a compound microscope over an electron microscope?
    1. Better magnification.
    2. Can be used to view dynamic life processes of a living cell.
    3. Higher resolution.
    4. All of the above.
28. If your friend gets hurt in a laboratory, what will you shout?
    1. Red alert red alert!
    2. Help! Help!
    3. Fire! Fire!
    4. Code Red!
29. If you are working with a flammable substance like alcohol, what should you do?
    1. Don't work close to a lit Bunsen burner.
    2. Turn the direction to your lab partner.
    3. Work in a closed, unventilated area.
    4. Store it in an open container.
30. 3000 milliliters make how many liters?
    1. 0.3 L
    2. 3 L
    3. 30 L
    4. 300 L
31. Magnification is calculated as:
    1. Actual size * image size
    2. Actual size / drawing size
    3. Drawing size / actual size
    4. Actual size + drawing size
32. Under what conditions does an autoclave work?
    1. High temperature and low pressure.
    2. Low temperature and high pressure.
    3. High temperature and high pressure.
    4. Low temperature and low pressure.
33. When should you take off your protective glasses in a laboratory?
    1. When you feel tired.
    2. When you leave the lab.
    3. When you are told to do so.
    4. At any time you like.
34. When are you allowed to taste or smell a chemical?
    1. When you are explicitly told to do so by your instructor.
    2. When you are curious.
    3. Never taste or smell chemicals.
    4. Only if it is a common household chemical.
35. What type of microscope is best for analyzing the internal structure of a cell?
    1. Compound microscope
    2. Transmission electron microscope
    3. Scanning electron microscope
    4. Dissecting microscope
36. When should you remove your gloves in the lab?
    1. After you wash your hands.
    2. Your friend will remove it for you.
    3. Don't remove gloves while still in the laboratory.
    4. You can remove them when you are not handling chemicals.
37. In a microscope, the objective lens has a magnification of 40x and the eyepiece lens magnification is 10x. What is the total magnification of the microscope?
    1. 4x
    2. 40x
    3. 400x
    4. 4000x
38. What is the answer to 2.320 + 0.2 + 2.04 rounded to the appropriate number of significant figures?
    1. 4.56
    2. 4.6
    3. 4.5
    4. 4.560
39. Fertilizers applied to crops are measured in...
    1. Liters
    2. Grams
    3. Kilograms
    4. Centiliters
40. Which of the following is a derived unit for volume?
    1. Square meter (m²)
    2. Liter (L)
    3. Decimeter (dm)
    4. None of the above
41. Which unit is for measuring temperature in the metric system?
    1. Celsius (°C)
    2. Kelvin (K)
    3. Fahrenheit (°F)
    4. Rankine (°R)
42. Which of the following is equivalent to 1000 mL?
    1. 1 L
    2. 0.1 L
    3. 10 L
    4. 0.01 L
43. The area of the floor of a room is measured in what unit?
    1. Cubic meter (m³)
    2. Liter (L)
    3. Square meter (m²)
    4. Gram (g)
44. Which unit is for measuring mass in the metric system?
    1. Milligram (mg)
    2. Kilogram (kg)
    3. Centimeter (cm)
    4. Gram (g)
45. Which of the following ways can be used in the sterilization of a petri dish?
    1. Wipe with alcohol and leave it open.
    2. Dust with a broom.
    3. Put in an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes or in an oven for 2 hours.
    4. Wipe with cotton wool.
46. Which of the following procedures represents the method of mixing water and acid?
    1. Add water to a large amount of acid.
    2. Add water to acid, cool and swirl.
    3. Add acid to water, cool and swirl.
    4. Add acid to a large amount of water.
47. Are all chemicals in the laboratory to be considered dangerous?
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only those labeled 'hazardous'
    4. Only in large quantities
48. What's used for measuring the length of objects in a laboratory?
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Meter rule
    3. Micrometer screw gauge
    4. All of the above
49. Which unit is not a metric system unit used in a lab?
    1. Kilogram (kg)
    2. Candela (cd)
    3. Newton (N)
    4. All of the above are metric units
50. 1 L equals the following except:
    1. 1 dm³
    2. 1 kg
    3. 1000 cm³
    4. 1000 mL
51. What should you do when you find a chemical with no label on it?
    1. Use it and see if it gives the result of your experiment.
    2. Ask your lab mate if he knows the content.
    3. Ask your lab instructor to know what the chemical contains.
    4. Dispose of it immediately.
52. PPE stands for what?
    1. Personal Protective Equipment
    2. Public Protection Equipment
    3. Personal Preparation Equipment
    4. Professional Personal Equipment
53. Oven makes use of which of the following for sterilization?
    1. Dry heat
    2. Wet heating
    3. Moist heat
    4. Radiation
54. It is still okay to use cracked glassware in the laboratory.
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only if it's a small crack.
    4. Only if you handle it carefully.
55. Which microscope can be used to view a specimen without staining?
    1. Scanning Electron microscope
    2. Phase-contrast microscope
    3. Fluorescence microscope
    4. Compound light microscope
56. What are the sterilizing temperature and pressure of an autoclave?
    1. 100°C and 10 psi
    2. 121°C and 15 psi
    3. 150°C and 20 psi
    4. 180°C and 25 psi
57. Which of these instruments can you use to measure the length of a specimen?
    1. Ruler
    2. Measuring tape
    3. Both A and B
    4. None of the above
58. What should you do if a chemical is spilled on your cloth or skin?
    1. Wipe it with a cloth.
    2. Wash the affected area with water for 30 seconds.
    3. Apply a neutralizing agent immediately.
    4. Cover the spill with paper towels.
59. What is the use of the wash area in the lab?
    1. For general washing of glassware.
    2. For emergency rinsing and washing off of chemicals.
    3. For washing hands only.
    4. For disposing of chemical waste.
60. Which of these do you require for outlining your drawing?
    1. Brush pen
    2. Crayon
    3. Charcoal
    4. Technical pencil
61. Which part of the microscope determines the magnification of a biological drawing?
    1. Eyepiece
    2. Objective lens
    3. Stage
    4. Slide
62. How many significant figures are in 0.0025?
    1. 1
    2. 2
    3. 3
    4. 4
63. Which microscope gives a 3D view of a specimen's surface features?
    1. Compound light microscope
    2. Scanning electron microscope
    3. Photo contrast microscope
    4. Transmission electron microscope
64. What should you do if there's a fire outbreak in the lab?
    1. Try to extinguish the fire yourself.
    2. Evacuate the area through the nearest exit.
    3. Run and hide in a corner.
    4. Call a friend for help.
65. Convert 500 g to kilograms.
    1. 5 kg
    2. 50 kg
    3. 0.5 kg
    4. 0.05 kg
66. Convert 2.5 km to meters.
    1. 2500 m
    2. 250 m
    3. 25 m
    4. 25000 m
67. Can you enter the chemical storage room anytime you want to get chemicals?
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only with permission
    4. Only during the day
68. Pipette is only used to measure a small quantity of liquid. It is sucked using the mouth. True or false?
    1. True
    2. False
    3. Only for water
    4. Depends on the liquid
69. While boiling something in a test tube, you should:
    1. Move it towards yourself.
    2. Move it towards other people.
    3. Move it away from everyone.
    4. Hold it still.
70. _______ is used for holding and heating liquids.
    1. Beaker
    2. Measuring cylinder
    3. Test tube
    4. Flask
71. Which of the following is NOT considered a common lab hazard?
    1. Chemical spills
    2. Electrical hazards
    3. Listening to music
    4. Fire hazards
72. Which safety symbol indicates a risk of fire?
    1. A skull and crossbones
    2. A flame
    3. A test tube pouring liquid on a hand
    4. A radiation sign
73. What is the best way to prevent chemical burns in the lab?
    1. Avoid working with chemicals
    2. Always wear protective gloves and lab coats
    3. Wash hands frequently
    4. Use only small amounts of chemicals
74. What should you do first if a chemical splashes into your eye?
    1. Rub your eye
    2. Blink rapidly
    3. Flush your eye with water for at least 15 minutes
    4. Wait and see if irritation occurs
75. How should you treat a minor burn in the lab?
    1. Apply ice directly to the burn
    2. Rinse the burn with cold water and cover it with a clean bandage
    3. Apply butter or oil to the burn
    4. Ignore it unless it gets worse
76. Which instrument is used to measure the mass of a substance in a biology lab?
    1. Graduated cylinder
    2. Triple beam balance
    3. Thermometer
    4. Bunsen burner
77. Which unit of measurement is commonly used to measure liquid volume in biology?
    1. Gram
    2. Liter
    3. Meter
    4. Joule
78. What is the function of a micropipette?
    1. To transfer very small volumes of liquid
    2. To heat substances
    3. To observe microscopic organisms
    4. To measure temperature
79. Which part of the microscope controls the amount of light passing through the specimen?
    1. Objective lens
    2. Coarse adjustment knob
    3. Iris diaphragm
    4. Stage clip
80. Which of these practices helps maintain a microscope?
    1. Carrying it with one hand
    2. Using lens paper to clean the lenses
    3. Leaving the power on overnight
    4. Storing it with the highest magnification lens in place
81. How does a compound microscope differ from a dissecting microscope?
    1. A compound microscope provides a 3D image
    2. A dissecting microscope has higher magnification
    3. A compound microscope has multiple objective lenses and higher magnification
    4. A dissecting microscope is used to view bacteria and cells
82. What is the total magnification when using a 10× eyepiece with a 40× objective lens?
    1. 10×
    2. 40×
    3. 400×
    4. 4000×
83. What is the most important rule when making biological drawings?
    1. Use multiple colors for better visualization
    2. Make freehand sketches quickly
    3. Use clear, labeled diagrams with accurate proportions
    4. Draw only what you think should be there
84. Which of the following is NOT an important factor in biological illustrations?
    1. Accuracy
    2. Proportion
    3. Artistic style
    4. Labeling
85. Which lab equipment is used to heat substances?
    1. Petri dish
    2. Bunsen burner
    3. Graduated cylinder
    4. Microscope
86. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
    1. To introduce new variables
    2. To compare results with a baseline condition
    3. To ensure that the experiment is biased
    4. To make the experiment more complex

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