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BECE Integrated Science Practice Tests & Test Prep by Exam Edge - Free Test


Our free BECE- Integrated Science Practice Test was created by experienced educators who designed them to align with the official West African Examinations Council content guidelines. They were built to accurately mirror the real exam's structure, coverage of topics, difficulty, and types of questions.

Upon completing your free practice test, it will be instantly reviewed to give you an idea of your score and potential performance on the actual test. Carefully study your feedback to each question to assess whether your responses were correct or incorrect. This is an effective way to highlight your strengths and weaknesses across different content areas, guiding you on where to concentrate your study efforts for improvement on future tests. Our detailed explanations will provide the information you need to enhance your understanding of the exam content and help you build your knowledge base leading you to better test results.

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BECE- Integrated Science - Free Test Sample Questions

What organelle is pointed to in the diagram?

Correct Answer:
contractile vacuole.


the question asks to identify an organelle in a given diagram, and the correct answer among the options provided is the "contractile vacuole." it is essential to understand the function and significance of this particular organelle within a cell.

the contractile vacuole is a specialized cellular structure predominantly found in certain unicellular protozoans and algae. its primary role is not for food or waste storage, as might be mistakenly assumed. instead, the contractile vacuole is crucial for osmoregulation, which is the process of managing the balance of water and ions within the cell. this is particularly important for cells living in freshwater environments where the tendency of water to enter the cell due to osmotic pressure is higher.

in these environments, the interior of the cell has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the external environment, leading to an influx of water into the cell through osmosis. without a mechanism to remove this excess water, the cell would swell and potentially burst. the contractile vacuole collects excess water that enters the cell and periodically expels it back into the environment, thereby preventing the cell from lysing due to over-expansion.

this process of expelling water involves the vacuole contracting, which is why it is termed "contractile." the contraction forces the accumulated water out through specialized pores in the cell membrane. the cycle of filling and contracting is continuous and essential for the survival of the organism in hypotonic environments (where the surrounding water is less concentrated than the cell's internal environment).

thus, while the contractile vacuole may superficially resemble storage vacuoles that contain food or waste products, its function is distinctly different and vital for osmoregulatory balance. misunderstanding this function could lead to confusion about the ways cells interact with and adapt to their environments.