Living organisms

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Living organisms, the JAMB Biology syllabus expects you to study:

• 1. Living organisms: a. Characteristics b. Cell structure and functions of cell components c. Level of organization i. Cell e.g. euglena and paramecium, ii. Tissue e.g. epithelial tissues and hydra iii. Organ e.g. onion bulb iv. Systems e.g. reproductive, digestive and excretory v. Organisms e.g. Chlamydomonas

Study notes & guidance

Study Living organisms using a recommended Biology textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Biology, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Living organisms, you should be able to:

1. Differentiate between the characteristics of living and non-living things.
2. Identify the structures of plant and animal cells.
3. Analyse the functions of the components of plant and animal cells.
4. Compare and contrast the structure of plant and animal cells.
5. Trace the levels of organization among organisms in their logical sequence in relation to the five levels of organization of living organisms.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Biology syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.