# Life Sciences Grade 10 North West June 2017 Question Paper

> Grade 10 Life Sciences question paper from the North West June 2017, 17 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, memo linked when available.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10-life-sciences-2017-north-west-june-question-paper/bee98b77-2d8e-4269-a9b7-a33bcd6d136e
- Updated: 2026-10-29
- Subject: Life Sciences
- Grade: Grade 10
- Document type: Question paper
- Year: 2017
- Exam period: North West June
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 17

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## About this document

Life Sciences · Grade 10 · North West June · 2017. Question paper, 17 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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## Document text

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### Page 1

Life Sciences Grade 10 (Version 1)           1                       June Examination 2017
                                            NSC

                                          NATIONAL
                                     SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                                        GRADE 10

                                       LIFE SCIENCES

                                 JUNE EXAMINATION 2017

MARKS: 150

TIME: 2½ hours

                         This question paper consists of 17 pages.

Copyright reserved

### Page 2

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.

1.       Answer ALL the questions.

2.       Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.

3.       Start the answers to 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.       ALL drawings should be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.

7.       Draw diagrams or flow charts 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 may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass.

11.      Write neatly and legibly.

### Page 3

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1   Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
      Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
      question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example
      1.1.11 D.

      1.1.1    A deficiency disease as a result of a shortage of Vitamin B.

               A    night blindness
               B    rickets
               C    beri-beri
               D    pellagra

      1.1.2    The following diagram is made of a dividing cell under a microscope.

               What is your observation and conclusion about this cell?

               A   The cell wall is still intact, the cell is not ready for mitosis.
               B   The nuclear membrane has disappeared, it is in the telophase
               C   stage of mitosis.
               D   There are 4 daughter chromosomes, they are all female.
                   Chromosomes are clear, the nuclear membrane has disappeared,
                   it is during prophase of mitosis.

      1.1.3    Carcinogens such as cigarette smoke and UV-rays cause …

               A   epilepsy
               B   tuberculosis
               C   goitre
               D   cancer

### Page 4

1.1.4     Which one of the following is responsible for preventing water loss

                  A   epidermis cells
                  B   xylem
                  C   palisade cell
                  D   cuticle

1.1.5    The following tissue is an example of:

                  A   cardiac
                  B   skeletal muscle
                  C   smooth muscle
                  D   involuntary muscle

        1.1.6     The foramen of magnum is found in the….

                  A   lower limb
                  B   skull
                  C   spinal column
                  D   upper limb

        1.1.7     The more active the cell is, the more -------------------------- it
                  contains.

                  A   vacuoles
                  B   chloroplasts
                  C   mitochondria
                  D   chromosomes

### Page 5

1.1.8    The pectoral girdle consist of bone(s) numbered….

             A   12 only
             B   3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
             C   4 and 10 only
             D   4, 5 and 10 only

1.1.9    When using a light microscope, magnification of the structure being
         observed can be increased by a variation in the…

         A   light intensity
         B   stage position
         C   objective lens power
         D   iris diaphragm setting

1.1.10   Which of the following is not an example of connective tissue?

### Page 6

A    blood
                B    bone
                C    epithelium
                D    cartilage                                                               (20)

1.2   Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
      only the term next to the question number (1.2.1 to 1.2.8) in your ANSWER
      BOOK.

      1.2.1     Two opposite pairs of muscles working together to make one
                skeletal movement possible

      1.2.2     The deficiency disease that results from a lack of protein.

      1.2.3     Simplest form of carbohydrates

      1.2.4     The type of animal tissue which removes mucus and dust
                from the airways.

      1.2.5     An organelle in a cell that is the site for protein synthesis

      1.2.6     A permanent tissue found in all parts of the plants that
                provides mechanical support

      1.2.7     Specialised proteins that speed up the chemical reaction.

      1.2.8     A movement of gas molecules from a high concentration to a
                low concentration.
                                                                                       (8)

### Page 7

1.3   Indicate whether each of the statements in COLUMN I applies to
      A ONLY, B ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in
      COLUMN II. Write A only, B only, both A and B, or none next to the
      question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.

                        COLUMN I                       COLUMN II
      1.3.1   Building blocks (monomers) of   A. Glycerol
              carbohydrates                   B. Fats

      1.3.2   Water                           A. Organic compound
                                              B. Inorganic compound

      1.3.3   The use of chemicals to         A. Radiotherapy
              destroy the cancer cells        B. Surgical removal

      1.3.4   Connects two chromatids to      A: Centromere
              form a chromosome               B: centriole

      1.3.5   The plastids in a plant cell    A. Leucoplast
                                              B. Golgi bodies

      1.3.6   Vascular bundles                A. Xylem
                                              B. Phloem

                                                                           (6 x 2)   (12)

### Page 8

1.4          Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

        1.4.1.   Identify the above apparatus?                                    (1)

        1.4.2.   Provide labels for parts A, C, D and E.                             (4)
                                                                                     (5)

  1.5
                 Study the structure below of an enzyme activity and answer the
                 questions that follow

                 1.5.1. From the diagram which structure(A,B,C,D or E) represents:

### Page 9

a. Products                                             (1)
          b. Substrate                                            (1)
          c. Enzyme                                               (1)
1.5.2. With reference to the diagram above, which theory is used by
   scientists to explain how enzymes work?                        (2)
                                                                  (5)

                                          TOTAL SECTION A        : 50

### Page 10

SECTION B
QUESTION 2

2.1      The following diagram shows a plant cell at the beginning of cell division:

                                                                       A

                                                                       B

                                                                       C

                                                                      D

      2.1.1.   Provide labels for parts A,B,C and D                                    (4)

      2.1.2.   How many chromosomes are shown in the diagram above?                    (1)

      2.1.3.   How many chromosomes would be found in the daughter cells at end of cell
               division of the above cell?                                        (1)

      2.1.4.   Explain TWO ways in which mitosis is biologically significant.          (2)

                                                                                       (8)

### Page 11

2.2           Study the diagrams below representing two cells with their organelles.

                                                A

                                                                                        C

                                                B                                       D
                    Cell X                                          Cell Y

      2.2.1         Which cell, (X or Y) represents a plant cell?                       (1)

      2.2.2         Give ONE visible reason for your answer to 2.1.1.                   (1)

      2.2.3         Provide labels for parts A and B.                                   (2)

      2.2.4         Structure C plays an important role in cell Y. List TWO functions   (2)
                    of this structure.

      2.2.5         Which structure (A, B, C or D) plays a role in energy supply?       (1)

      2.2.6         Tabulate two visible difference between Cell X and Cell Y.          (5)

                                                                                        (12)

### Page 12

2.3 Study the following diagram showing a part of a section through a leaf blade and
   answer the questions below.

         2.3.1    Write down the LETTER and NAME of any one structure representing
                  an adaptation that…
            a)         makes carbon dioxide available for photosynthesis.
            b)         makes water available for photosynthesis.                 (4)
         2.3.2    Name the cells labelled C.                                          (1)
         2.3.3    Describe TWO ways in which the cells named in 3.1.2 above are
                  adapted for photosynthesis.                                         (4)
         2.3.4    Identify the cells labelled D.                                      (1)
         2.3.5    Describe the shape of the cells mentioned in 3.1.4 and explain how
                   this shape is an advantage for processes taking place in the leaf. (3)
         2.3.6    State ONE visible difference between E and F. Discuss the
                  significance of this difference.                                    (4)
         2.3.7    Predict what would happen if tissues B and E were covered with
                  Vaseline.                                                           (3)

                                                                                    (20)
                                                                                    [40]

### Page 13

QUESTION 3

   3.1 The following nutritional information is printed on a box of breakfast cereal. Study
       the table and answer the questions that follow.

             Nutrients present in cereal           30 g of cereal contain:
             Proteins                              4.2 g
             Carbohydrates                         22.4 g
             Fat                                   0.5 mg
             Iron                                  18 mg
             Vitamin B1                            1.5 mg
             Fibre (roughage)                      5.7 g

         3.1.1     Which type of nutrient makes up the largest part of 30g of above
            cereal?                                                                   (1)
         3.1.2     Name the building blocks of the type of nutrient named in question
            1.4.1.                                                                    (1)
         3.1.3     Name THREE functions of protein in the human body.                  (3)
         3.1.4     Draw a simple diagram to show the structure of a lipid, label the parts
            clearly.                                                                  (4)
         3.1.5     Name an inorganic nutrient in this cereal.                         (1)

                                                                                       (10)

 3.2 Study the diagram of the human rib cage and answer the questions that follow.

                                                                       A

                                                                       B

                                                                       C

### Page 14

3.2.1      Give the scientific names of parts labelled A, B and C.        (3)

   3.2.2      To which structure are the ribs attached at the back/rear of the
              rib cage?                                                      (1)

   3.2.3      Which TWO vital organs are protected by the rib cage?          (2)

   3.2.4      Name the disease of the skeletal system in which bones become
              brittle from loss of bone mass.                            (1)

                                                                             (7)
3.3 Study the following diagram of a human knee and answer the questions that
    follow.

                          1

                          2

                          3

                          4

                          5

3.3.1 Complete the following table by only writing down the correct answer to the
      corresponding letters a to e in your answer script.                (5)

   Labelled     Name of connective           Description                Function
     part            tissue
      1              Muscle               Has muscle fibres,         Contract and
                                         are striped, striated,    relaxes to make
                                           can contract and           movement
                                                  relax                possible
       2                  a.             Has white inelastic        Connect ....b...
                                                 fibres
       3                Bone            Has Haversian canals         Give shape,
                                            with osteocytes          support and
                                                                      protection

### Page 15

4                 c.                        d.              Reduces friction
                                                                     between bones
         5                 e.               Has yellow elastic
                                                 fibres

3.3.2 Name the type of synovial joint found in the human knee.                (1)

                                                                              (6)

3.4   Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

      3.4.1 Identify Figure A.                                                  (1)

      3.4.2 Provide TWO visible reasons for your answer in question 3.4.1.      (4)

      3.4.3 Explain how part E is structurally adapted for its function.        (3)

      3.4.4 Is it possible to determine in which year or years the tree
      experienced a relatively dry year?                                        (1)

      3.4.5 Provide a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.4.4.                     (1)

                                                                               [10]

### Page 16

3.5         A group of Grade 10 learners want to make a contribution to the community by
            providing vegetables to the poor people. They would like to breed their own
            plants. They decide to perform a scientific investigation before they start with
            their project.

            They conduct the following biotechnological process to determine if they can
            use embryonic cells (stem cells) to breed bean plants on a growth medium.
            They repeat the method more than 5 times to ensure reliable results.

      2.2.1 3.5.1.   Formulate a hypothesis for this scientific investigation.           (2)
            3.5.2.   Name the biotechnological process illustrated by this scientific
                     method.                                                            (1)
            3.5.3.   Identify TWO variables that must be kept constant to ensure validity
                     when this experiment is repeated.                                   (2)
            3.5.4.   What do we call the cell division process whereby new plants are
                      Formed?                                                            (1)

            3.5.5.   Supply ONE reason why people are against the use of this
                     biotechnological process.                                          (1)
                                                                                         (7)

                                                                                        [40]

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION B: 80

### Page 17

SECTION C
QUESTION 4

4.1
Multicellular organisms are made up of millions of cells and therefore need some form of
organisation to perform various functions when carrying out life processes. To do this,
cells become specialised by developing a specific shape, having chemical changes taking
place in the cytoplasm and losing the ability to divide. These changes allow cells to
become adapted to perform a specific function.

Using the foot as an example of how cells become specialised to become adapted to
perform a specific function, write an essay discussing the different tissues that assist in
moving the organism.

                                                                  Content             (17)
                                                                  Synthesis           (3)
                                                                                      (20)

  NOTE:      NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow
             charts or diagrams.
                                                            TOTAL SECTION C:          20
                                                                GRAND TOTAL:          150

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