NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES P2
SEPTEMBER 2021
QUESTION PAPER
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ HOURS
This question paper consists of 14 pages
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 2 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL answers in the ANSWER BOOK
3. Start the answers the each question at the top of a NEW page.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in
this question paper.
5. Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.
6. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams, flow charts or tables only when asked to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper are not necessarily drawn to scale.
9. Do NOT use graph paper.
10. You must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and compass
where necessary.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 3 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1. Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question
numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 Below is a list of fossils discovered in South Africa:
1 Taung child
2 Little foot
3 Karabo
4 Mrs Ples
Which of the fossils above are classified as the species
Australopithecus africanus?
A 1, 2 and 3
B 1, 2 and 4
C 2, 3 and 4
D 1, 3 and 4
1.1.2 Dikeledi has a child who has blood group B. There are three men who
are claiming paternity of the child. Kagiso has blood group O, Thabo
has blood group AB and Pule has blood group O.
Dikeledi’s blood group is A.
Who is the possible father of Dikeledi’s child?
A Pule
B Thabo
C Kagiso
D None of the above
1.1.3 According to Charles Darwin’s theory, natural selection states that.....
A all life forms developed from a single spermatozoon.
B all quadrupeds got rid of inherited ancestral parts which were not
used.
C advantageous characteristics enabled individuals to survive
over weaker ones.
D new characteristics are obtained by use and disuse.
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 4 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
1.1.4 The genus Australopithecus means …
A Australian man.
B southern ape.
C ape that used tools.
D upright ape.
1.1.5 The allele for black fur (B) is dominant over the allele for brown fur (b).
Which one of the following crosses will result in a ratio of 50%
homozygous black to 50% heterozygous black?
A Bb X bb
B BB X bb
C BB X Bb
D Bb X Bb
1.1.6 The difference between a nucleic acid and a nucleotide is that …
A nucleotides are building blocks of nucleic acids.
B nucleic acids are building blocks of nucleotides
C nucleic acids are in the nucleus and nucleotides are in
the cytoplasm.
D nucleotides are larger than nucleic acids.
1.1.7 Meiosis is a process during which ...
A two daughter cells identical to the parent cell are formed.
B four daughter cells identical to the parent cell are formed.
C the diploid number of the chromosomes is reduced to the
haploid number.
D the haploid number of the chromosomes is changed to the
diploid number.
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 5 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
1.1.8 Study the diagrams of hominid skulls below.
1 2 3
The correct sequence of evolution, from oldest to youngest, of the
Hominid species shown is
A 2, 3, 1
B 3, 1, 2
C 1, 3, 2
D 2, 1, 3
1.1.9 Which of the following are true of fossilisation?
i) Organisms tend to decay before becoming fossils
ii) Organisms were preserved as fossils
iii) Animals with hard parts are preserved more easily
iv) Geological processes may destroy fossils
A (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
B (ii), (iii) and (iv)
C (i), (iii) and (iv)
D (ii) and (iv)
1.1.10 Study the table below, showing various amino acids codded for by
various mRNA codons.
mRNA codons Corresponding amino acids
GCG Alanine
AUG Methionine
AUA Isoleucine
AGG Arginine
Which amino acid is coded by the DNA triplet of nitrogenous bases
TAC?
A Alanine
B Arginine
C Isoleucine
D Methionine
(10x2) (20)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 6 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions.
Write only the term next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.8) in the
ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 The explanation that species experience long periods without
physical change, followed by short periods of rapid physical change.
1.2.2 Similar structures on different organisms that suggest they have a
common ancestor.
1.2.3 The distribution of species in different parts of the world.
1.2.4 Intermediate fossils showing features of both more primitive and
more advanced organisms
1.2.5 The natural shape of a DNA molecule
1.2.6 A genetic cross in which the offspring express an intermediate
phenotype of the two parents’ characteristics
1.2.7 All the different alleles of genes in a particular population
1.2.8 A large opening in the skull through which the spinal cord passes
1.2.9 Type of variation where a range of different phenotypes for a particular
characteristic is observed (9 x 1) (9)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statement in COLUMN I applies to A ONLY, B
ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN II (1.3.1 to 1.3.4)
in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 A visual representation of an A: Karyotype
organism’s chromosomes B: Phenotype
1.3.2 Inheritance of the disorder linked to aA: Sickle cell anaemia
sex chromosome B: Colour blindness
1.3.3 Provides genetic evidence for the A: Mitochondrial DNA
‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis B: DNA from X chromosomes
1.3.4 A nitrogenous base only found in DNA A: Uracil
B: Adenine
1.3.5 A genetic cross in which both alleles A: Co-dominance
are equally expressed in the phenotype B: Complete dominance
(5x2) (10)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 7 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
1.4 Read the following case study and use the forensic evidence to solve the
crime.
Inspector Ndlovu and Sergeant van Wyk were investigating a murder case.
The victim was a 34 year-old man. He had been stabbed and left to die. There
was skin under his nails, which he could have got from the murderer during
the fight.
Three possible suspects were arrested. All three of them were required to
give a blood sample and a sample was also taken from the victim.
DNA profiles of the four samples were compared with the DNA profiles of the
two samples taken from the crime scene. The diagram below shows the DNA
genetic profile of :
➢ Blood sample of a murdered male victim
➢ Blood sample of three male suspects
➢ Skin found under the nails of the victim
Skin
1.4.1 Which of the three suspects is most likely the murderer? (2)
1.4.2 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 1.4.1. (2)
1.4.3 Give TWO reasons why this evidence cannot be considered 100%
VALID/ RELAIBLE in a court of law. (2)
1.4.4 Name THREE benefits of DNA profiling other than for solving crimes.
(3)
1.4.5 Define DNA profiling (2)
(11)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 8 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Study the diagram below that show an experiment conducted by Diane Dodd
in the laboratory. She used fruit flies to demonstrate an evolutionary process
that occurs when new species are formed.
2.1.1 Which evolutionary process is illustrated in the diagram above? (1)
2.1.2 Describe the process named in QUESTION 2.1.1 as it occurred in the
laboratory shown above. (6)
2.1.3 Tabulate two differences between Lamarck `s theory and Darwin`s
theory of natural selection. (5)
(12)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 9 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
2.2 Study the diagrams below and answer the questions that follow
Molecule E forming
Process A
Organelle B
Molecule C
Process F
Structure D
2.2.1 Identify Process A and Organelle B respectively. (2)
2.2.2 Name and describe the stage of protein synthesis that takes place
during Process F. (5)
2.2.3 A mutation occurred on the mRNA codon, and it read CGG instead of
GGG.
(a) What type of mutation has occurred? (1)
(b) Give TWO effects of such a mutation on formation of
Molecule E (4)
(12)
2.3
In Croton plants, green leaves are dominant over variegated leaves
(leaves with white and green spots).
A plant which is heterozygous for green leaves is crossed with one with
variegated leaves.
Use the symbol G for green leaves and g for variegated leaves and answer
the questions that follow.
2.3.1 Give the percentage of the F1 generation that will have variegated
leaves. (2)
2.3.2 The plant with the green leaves is self-pollinated and 128 seedlings
were obtained. Draw a genetic cross to indicate the genotypes of the
F2 generation. (6)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 10 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
2.3.3 According to the genetic cross in QUESTION 2.3.2, how many plants:
(a) have variegated leaves? (1)
(b) are heterozygous for green leaves? (1)
(c) are homozygous dominant? (1)
2.3.4 State Mendel’s Principle of Independent Assortment (2)
(13)
2.4 Study the diagrams below and answer the questions that follow.
2.4.1 Name the process taking place at A (1)
2.4.2 Identify structure D (1)
2.4.3 State ONE function of structure F (2)
2.4.4 State ONE visible reason in Diagram 2 which indicates that meiosis is
taking place. (2)
2.4.5 Name ONE organ in the human female body where the process of
meiosis will occur. (1)
2.4.6 Identify the phase in Diagram 3. (1)
2.4.7 Describe how meiosis contributes to genetic variation in a species. (5)
(13)
TOTAL QUESTION 2: 50
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 11 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
QUESTION 3
3.1 Polydactyly (extra finger/toe) is a dominant trait in humans controlled by a
single pair of alleles. The pedigree diagram below shows a family in which this
trait has occurred. Answer the questions below, using F to represent the allele
for polydactyly and f to represent the unaffected recessive allele.
3.1.1 How many of the male offspring in this pedigree diagram are
polydactyl? (1)
3.1.2 Is this condition sex-linked? Use the information provided to justify
your answer. (3)
3.1.3 Give the genotypes of individuals:
(a) 2
(b) 10 (2)
3.1.4 Give the phenotypes of individuals:
(a) 14
(b) 18 (2)
3.1.5 How many generations are indicated in the pedigree diagram above?
(1)
3.1.6 Can any of the affected offspring in this pedigree diagram be
homozygous for polydactyly? Explain your answer. (2)
(11)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 12 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
3.2 A learner wanted to investigate the relationship between the number of babies
born with Down Syndrome and the age of their mothers. He obtained
information by visiting the local hospitals.
Study the table below which shows the results he obtained and answer the
questions that follow.
Age of mother Number of babies born with Down’s
giving birth syndrome per 100 births
21 - 25 3
26 - 30 5
31 - 35 11
36 - 40 25
41 - 45 50
3.2.1 Use the results above to draw a histogram. (6)
3.2.2 From the results obtained in this survey, what conclusion can be
drawn? (2)
3.2.3 From your understanding of Meiosis, explain how this condition of
Down syndrome happens, and the specific name given to the location
at which it occurs. (4)
3.2.4 If you were a genetic counsellor, what advice would you give to a
woman over the age of 40 who desires to have a biological child? (3)
(15)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 13 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
3.3 Diagrams A and B below illustrate the skulls of Homo erectus and Homo
sapiens. Study them and answer the questions that follow. Diagrams are
drawn to scale.
Diagram A Diagram B
3.3.1 Which diagram (A or B) represents Homo sapiens? (1)
3.3.2 Tabulate THREE visible differences between diagrams A and B (7)
3.3.3 Describe the significance of Homo erectus to the "out of Africa"
hypothesis. (2)
3.3.4 Give the names of TWO hominin genera that were ONLY found in
Africa. (2)
(12)
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NSC Life Sciences/ P2 14 Limpopo PED/ September 2021
Question Paper
3.4 During his journey in the South Pacific Darwin discovered that there were
different species of tortoises on each of the two different islands in the
Galapagos. One had a domed shell and short neck and the other one had a
longer neck. The two islands had different vegetation. One of the islands
(Island X) was rather dry. It had no grass, but rather short tree like cactus
plants. On the other island (Island Y), there were no cactus plants, but it had a
good supply of water and grass grew across the island
A
B
3.4.1 Which tortoise (A or B) would have been found on island X?
Give a reason for your answer based on the text and diagrams. (3)
3.4.2 Darwin suggested that these two species on the different islands might
have evolved from a common ancestor from the mainland.
Explain how this could have occurred. (9)
(12)
TOTAL QUESTION 3: 50
TOTAL SECTION B: 100
GRAND TOTAL:150
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