Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q851.
The process by which a cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells is called:
A
Meiosis
B
Mitosis
C
Cytokinesis
D
Binary fission
Correct Answer: B
Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells; meiosis produces gametes.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q852.
In a chemical reaction, the substances that undergo change are called:
A
Reactants
B
Products
C
Catalysts
D
Inhibitors
Correct Answer: A
Reactants are the starting materials that transform into products.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q853.
Which gas is most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: B
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q854.
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth’s weather system?
A
Solar radiation
B
Earth's core heat
C
Moon's gravity
D
Ocean currents
Correct Answer: A
Solar energy drives atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q855.
Which organelle is known as the “powerhouse of the cell”?
A
Nucleus
B
Ribosome
C
Mitochondria
D
Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Mitochondria produce ATP through cellular respiration.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q856.
A solution that contains a higher concentration of solute than the surrounding environment is called:
A
Hypertonic
B
Hypotonic
C
Isotonic
D
Neutral
Correct Answer: A
Hypertonic solutions have a higher solute concentration than the cell’s interior.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q857.
Which of the following is a non-covalent bond?
A
Ionic bond
B
Covalent bond
C
Hydrogen bond
D
Metallic bond
Correct Answer: C
Hydrogen bonds are weak interactions between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q858.
In the water cycle, precipitation falls from the atmosphere to the earth as:
A
Evaporation
B
Condensation
C
Sublimation
D
Rain, snow, sleet, or hail
Correct Answer: D
Precipitation includes all forms of water that reach the ground.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q859.
The unit of electric current is called:
A
Volt
B
Ampere
C
Watt
D
Ohm
Correct Answer: B
Current is measured in amperes, the flow of electrons.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q860.
Which of the following best describes a catalyst in a chemical reaction?
A
Substance that is consumed during the reaction
B
Substance that speeds up the reaction without being consumed
C
Substance that slows down the reaction
D
Substance that changes the products
Correct Answer: B
Catalysts lower activation energy and are not consumed.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q861.
What is the primary function of the human respiratory system?
A
To digest food
B
To transport blood
C
To exchange gases between air and blood
D
To produce hormones
Correct Answer: C
The respiratory system brings oxygen into the blood and removes carbon dioxide.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q862.
Which layer of the Earth is the thickest?
A
Crust
B
Mantle
C
Outer core
D
Inner core
Correct Answer: B
The mantle is the thickest layer, extending about 2,900 km below the surface.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q863.
Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?
A
Coal
B
Oil
C
Solar energy
D
Natural gas
Correct Answer: C
Solar energy can be replenished continuously by the sun.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q864.
The process by which plants lose water vapor through their stomata is known as:
A
Transpiration
B
Photosynthesis
C
Respiration
D
Germination
Correct Answer: A
Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plant leaves.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q865.
In the periodic table, elements in the same vertical column are called:
A
Groups
B
Periods
C
Families
D
Sequences
Correct Answer: A
Elements in the same group share similar chemical properties.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q866.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a chemical change?
A
Color change
B
Formation of a precipitate
C
Temperature change
D
Physical deformation of the substance
Correct Answer: D
Physical deformation is a physical change, not a chemical change.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q867.
What is the main component of plant cell walls?
A
Cellulose
B
Starch
C
Protein
D
Lipid
Correct Answer: A
Cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q868.
Which organ is responsible for filtering blood and producing urine?
A
Heart
B
Liver
C
Kidney
D
Lungs
Correct Answer: C
Kidneys filter waste from the bloodstream to form urine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q869.
The force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun is called:
A
Magnetism
B
Gravity
C
Friction
D
Electromagnetism
Correct Answer: B
Gravitational attraction between the sun and planets maintains their orbits.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q870.
Which of the following is a non-metal?
A
Iron
B
Carbon
C
Calcium
D
Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Carbon is a non-metal; iron, calcium, and sodium are metals.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q871.
In which organelle does protein synthesis occur?
A
Golgi apparatus
B
Lysosome
C
Ribosome
D
Nucleus
Correct Answer: C
Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q872.
The measure of how much heat is required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius is called its:
A
Specific heat capacity
B
Thermal conductivity
C
Latent heat
D
Enthalpy
Correct Answer: A
Specific heat capacity indicates a material’s heat absorption ability.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q873.
Which of the following is an example of a simple machine?
A
Wheel and axle
B
Lever
C
Pulley
D
All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Wheels, levers, and pulleys are all simple machines.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q874.
Which of the following best describes the law of conservation of mass?
A
Mass can be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction
B
Mass is conserved only in physical changes
C
Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction
D
Mass increases during chemical reactions
Correct Answer: C
The total mass before and after a reaction remains constant.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q875.
What is the main function of the blood’s red cells?
A
Fight infection
B
Carry oxygen
C
Clot blood
D
Transport nutrients
Correct Answer: B
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q876.
What is the main function of the chlorophyll in plants?
A
To absorb water from the soil
B
To produce oxygen for the plant
C
To capture light energy for photosynthesis
D
To transport nutrients through the stem
Correct Answer: C
Chlorophyll captures light energy and uses it to convert CO₂ and water into glucose and oxygen.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q877.
Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
A
Solar energy
B
Wind energy
C
Fossil fuels
D
Biomass
Correct Answer: C
Fossil fuels are finite and take millions of years to form, unlike renewable sources.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q878.
What is the primary gas involved in photosynthesis?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: C
Plants take in CO₂ and release O₂ during photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q879.
Which organelle is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP in eukaryotic cells?
A
Nucleus
B
Ribosome
C
Mitochondrion
D
Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating ATP through cellular respiration.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q880.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a chemical change?
A
The substance changes color
B
The substance can be seen with the naked eye
C
The substance is broken into smaller parts that can recombine
D
The substance is a solid
Correct Answer: C
Chemical changes involve breaking and forming of chemical bonds, producing new substances.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q881.
What is the function of the human heart?
A
To filter blood
B
To pump blood through the body
C
To produce hormones
D
To store calcium
Correct Answer: B
The heart pumps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood throughout the circulatory system.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q882.
Which of the following is an example of a physical change?
A
Rusting of iron
B
Burning of wood
C
Melting of ice
D
Baking a cake
Correct Answer: C
Melting ice changes state but remains H₂O; no new substance is formed.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q883.
What is the main purpose of the skin in humans?
A
To produce hormones
B
To protect the body from external hazards
C
To store food
D
To regulate body temperature only
Correct Answer: B
Skin acts as a barrier against microbes, chemicals, and physical injury.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q884.
Which of the following is a natural source of light?
A
Bulb
B
Sun
C
LED
D
Fluorescent lamp
Correct Answer: B
The sun emits natural light; bulbs and LEDs are artificial sources.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q885.
What type of bond is formed when two atoms share electrons?
A
Ionic bond
B
Covalent bond
C
Metallic bond
D
Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: B
Covalent bonds involve sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q886.
Which of the following best describes the water cycle?
A
Water evaporates, condenses, and precipitates back to the earth
B
Water is only found in oceans
C
Water never evaporates
D
Water is only used for drinking
Correct Answer: A
The cycle involves evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q887.
Which part of the plant conducts water and minerals from the roots to the leaves?
A
Stamen
B
Pollen
C
Xylem
D
Phloem
Correct Answer: C
Xylem vessels transport water and minerals upward through the plant.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q888.
Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
A
Coal
B
Natural gas
C
Solar power
D
Petroleum
Correct Answer: C
Solar power can be harnessed repeatedly from sunlight, unlike fossil fuels.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q889.
What is the main component of the Earth's atmosphere?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: B
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere, the most abundant gas.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q890.
Which of the following is a type of simple machine?
A
Wheel and axle
B
Computer
C
Television
D
Refrigerator
Correct Answer: A
A wheel and axle is a basic mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of force.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q891.
What is the function of the lungs in humans?
A
To filter blood
B
To absorb nutrients
C
To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
D
To produce insulin
Correct Answer: C
Lungs facilitate gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the blood and removing CO₂.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q892.
Which of the following is a type of plant tissue that transports sugars?
A
Xylem
B
Phloem
C
Cambium
D
Epidermis
Correct Answer: B
Phloem carries sugars produced in leaves to other parts of the plant.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q893.
What is the main reason for using a microscope?
A
To see larger objects
B
To magnify small structures
C
To measure distance
D
To record sound
Correct Answer: B
Microscopes enlarge tiny objects, making them visible to the eye.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q894.
Which of the following is a non-metallic element?
A
Iron
B
Copper
C
Carbon
D
Zinc
Correct Answer: C
Carbon is a non-metal; the others are metals.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q895.
Which of the following is an example of a natural disaster?
A
Earthquake
B
Flood
C
Drought
D
All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Earthquakes, floods, and droughts are all natural disasters.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q896.
What is the main source of energy for the Earth's ecosystems?
A
Wind
B
Sunlight
C
Fossil fuels
D
Electricity
Correct Answer: B
Sunlight drives photosynthesis, the foundation of most ecosystems.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q897.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a living organism?
A
It can move on its own
B
It can only reproduce sexually
C
It can grow, reproduce, and respond to stimuli
D
It is always warm-blooded
Correct Answer: C
Growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli are key characteristics of life.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q898.
What is the unit of electric current?
A
Volt
B
Watt
C
Ampere
D
Ohm
Correct Answer: C
Current is measured in amperes (A), representing flow of electric charge.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q899.
Which of the following is a type of energy that can be stored in a battery?
A
Kinetic energy
B
Potential energy
C
Thermal energy
D
Sound energy
Correct Answer: B
Batteries store chemical potential energy which can be converted into electrical energy.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q900.
What is the main role of the digestive system?
A
To filter waste
B
To produce hormones
C
To break down food and absorb nutrients
D
To circulate blood
Correct Answer: C
The digestive system breaks food into nutrients that the body can use.