Life Sciences Grade 10 P2 November Mock Exam 2 2026 Memo

Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 10 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 10 LIFE SCIENCES P2 NOVEMBER EXAMINATION 2026 (MOCK) MARKING GUIDELINES MARKS: 150 These marking guidelines consist of 13 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 2 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES 1. If more information than marks allocated is given Stop marking when the maximum marks are reached; draw a wavy line and write ‘max’ in the right-hand margin. 2. If, for example, three reasons are required and five are given Mark the first three only, irrespective of whether they are correct or incorrect. 3. If a whole process is given when only a part of it is required Read all of it and credit the relevant part. 4. If comparisons are asked for but descriptions are given Accept if the differences/similarities are clear. 5. If tabulation is required but paragraphs are given Candidates lose the mark for the table. 6. If diagrams with annotations are given when descriptions are required Candidates lose marks. 7. If flow charts are given instead of descriptions Candidates lose marks. 8. If the sequence is muddled and links do not make sense Credit where the sequence and links are correct. Where they are incorrect, do not credit. If they become correct again, resume crediting. 9. Non-recognised abbreviations Accept if first defined in the answer; otherwise do not credit the abbreviation but credit the rest of the answer if correct. 10. Wrong numbering If the answer fits into the correct sequence of questions but the wrong number is given, it is acceptable. 11. If the language used changes the intended meaning Do not accept. 12. Spelling errors Accept if recognisable, provided it does not mean something else in Life Sciences and is not out of context. 13. If only the letter is asked for but only the name is given (and vice versa) Do not credit. 14. If units are not given in measurements Candidates lose marks; the marking guidelines allocate marks for units separately. 15. Be sensitive to the sense of an answer, which may be stated in a different way. 16. Caption All illustrations (diagrams, graphs, tables, etc.) must have a caption. 17. Code-switching of official languages (terms and concepts) A single word or two in another official language should be credited if it is correct. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 3 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 18. Symbols used in these marking guidelines ✓ = one mark; / = alternative answer; * = compulsory mark; (Mark first … only) = mark only the stated number of answers in the order given. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1 1.1.1 B✓✓ 1.1.2 C✓✓ 1.1.3 A✓✓ 1.1.4 C✓✓ 1.1.5 C✓✓ 1.1.6 B✓✓ 1.1.7 B✓✓ 1.1.8 C✓✓ 1.1.9 D✓✓ 1.1.10 B✓✓ (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 1.2.1 Pericardium✓ 1.2.2 Pulmonary circulation✓ 1.2.3 Altitude✓ 1.2.4 Xerophytes✓ 1.2.5 Biogeography✓ 1.2.6 Transitional fossil✓/missing link 1.2.7 Taxonomy✓ (7 x 1) (7) 1.3 1.3.1 A only✓✓ 1.3.2 A only✓✓ 1.3.3 B only✓✓ 1.3.4 Both A and B✓✓ (4 x 2) (8) 1.4 1.4.1 (a) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria✓ (1) (b) Nitrifying bacteria✓ (1) (c) Denitrifying bacteria✓ (1) 1.4.2 Lightning✓ (1) 1.4.3 Absorption✓/uptake of nitrates by the roots/assimilation (1) 1.4.4 To make proteins✓/amino acids/nucleic acids/DNA/chlorophyll (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.4.5 - Beans/legumes have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules✓ - which convert nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds/nitrates✓ - This replaces the nitrates in the soil that were used up by the maize✓/increases soil fertility - so less fertiliser is needed✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 1.5 1.5.1 (a) P✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines (b) R✓ (1) 1.5.2 (a) Fungi✓ (1) (b) Protista✓ (1) 1.5.3 S has a (true) nucleus, while P has no nucleus✓ OR S has no cell wall, while P has a cell wall✓ (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.5.4 - Both are multicellular✓ - Both have a nucleus✓/are eukaryotic - Both have a cell wall✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (7) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 2.1.1 (a) Pulmonary artery✓ (1) (b) Pulmonary vein✓ (1) (c) Vena cava✓/inferior vena cava/venae cavae (1) 2.1.2 (a) A✓ (1) (b) E✓ (1) 2.1.3 Systemic circulation✓ (1) 2.1.4 - Blood passes through the heart twice✓ - during one complete circuit of the body✓ - once in the pulmonary circulation (heart–lungs–heart) and once in the systemic circulation (heart–body–heart)✓ Any 2 (2) 2.1.5 - The ventricles contract✓while the atria relax - The pressure in the ventricles increases✓ - The bicuspid and tricuspid (atrioventricular) valves close✓to prevent backflow into the atria - The semilunar valves open✓ - The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery✓ - The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta✓ Any 4 (4) 2.1.6 Coronary arteries✓ (1) (13) 2.2 2.2.1 Atherosclerosis✓ (1) 2.2.2 - A blocked coronary artery reduces/stops the flow of blood✓ - to part of the heart muscle✓ - That part of the heart muscle receives too little oxygen and glucose✓ - so it cannot release enough energy (cellular respiration)✓ - and the heart muscle cells are damaged/die✓, so the heart cannot pump properly Any 3 (3) 2.2.3 - Age✓/getting older - Family history✓/parents had heart disease/heredity (Mark first TWO only) (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.2.4 - The piece of vein creates a new route for the blood✓around the blocked part of the artery - so that blood/oxygen can again reach the heart muscle✓ - This reduces chest pain/the risk of a heart attack✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 2.3 2.3.1 (a) Aspect✓/direction the slope faces (north- or south-facing) (1) (b) Soil temperature✓ (1) 2.3.2 - Both slopes were at the same altitude✓ - The temperature was measured at the same depth (5 cm)✓ - The measurements were taken at the same times✓/on the same day - Both slopes were on the same hill✓/same weather conditions Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.3.3 Soil temperature on a north- and south-facing slope 22 20 Soil temperature (◦ C) 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 North-facing slope 2 South-facing slope 0 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 Time Criteria Mark Correct type of graph: line graph (T) 1 Caption includes both variables (C) 1 Correct label for X-axis and Y-axis, including 1 unit (°C) (L) Appropriate scale for X-axis and Y-axis (S) 1 Plotting of points (P): 1–9 points plotted correctly 1 All 10 points plotted correctly 2 Lines must be identified (key/legend or labels); if not, award a maximum of 1 mark for plotting. If a bar graph is drawn: marks will be lost for type of graph (T) and scale (S). If the axes are transposed: marks will be lost for labels (L) and scale (S). (6) 2.3.4 - In South Africa (southern hemisphere) the sun is in the north✓ - so the north-facing slope receives more direct sunlight✓/the sun’s rays strike it at a larger angle - and for a longer time✓, so it receives more heat energy Any 2 (2) (12) 2.4 2.4.1 Prawns✓ (1) 2.4.2 - When it eats mullet (primary consumers/herbivores), it is a secondary consumer✓ - When it eats kob, which feed on primary consumers/are secondary consumers, it is a tertiary consumer✓ - Accept: when it eats kob that fed on prawns, it is a tertiary/quaternary consumer✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.4.3 - The prawn population will increase✓ - because fewer kob will feed on the prawns✓/fewer predators - The increase may be limited because kingfishers still eat prawns✓/food (eelgrass and zooplankton) may run out Any 2 OR - The prawn population may decrease✓ - because fewer kob eat mullet, so the mullet population increases and competes with the prawns for eelgrass✓ Accept either direction if correctly explained (max 2) (2) 2.4.4 Mullet: 10% × 45 000 = 4 500 kJ✓ Kob: 10% × 4 500 = 450 kJ✓ OR 45 000 × 0,1 × 0,1✓= 450 kJ✓ (2) 2.4.5 - They are breeding/nursery areas for many fish and prawns✓ - They provide food and shelter/habitats for many organisms✓/high biodiversity - They filter/purify water✓/trap sediments - They protect the coastline against floods and erosion✓ - They provide food (fish) and income (tourism, fishing) for people✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (9) 2.5 2.5.1 (a) Nama Karoo✓(do NOT accept ‘Karoo’ only) (1) (b) Grassland✓ (1) 2.5.2 (a) P✓ (1) (b) T✓ (1) 2.5.3 - Low rainfall✓(about 100–500 mm per year) - mostly in summer✓/rainfall is unreliable - Very hot summers✓ - and cold winters with frost✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.5.4 - Alien plants grow fast and spread quickly✓ - They compete with indigenous plants for water, light, nutrients and space✓ - They use large amounts of water✓ - They have no natural enemies (pests/diseases) in South Africa✓ - They shade out/replace the indigenous plants✓, which reduces biodiversity - They make fires hotter, which destroys indigenous plants and seeds✓ Any 2 (2) (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines QUESTION 3 3.1 3.1.1 (a) Evaporation✓ (1) (b) Transpiration✓/evapotranspiration (1) (c) Precipitation✓/rain (1) 3.1.2 The sun✓/solar energy (1) 3.1.3 - They store water✓and release it slowly into rivers - They reduce flooding✓ - They purify/filter water✓ - They recharge groundwater✓ - They provide habitats for many organisms✓ - They reduce soil erosion✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.1.4 - Less transpiration✓ - so less water vapour enters the atmosphere✓and fewer clouds/less rain forms - More run-off✓and less water soaks into the soil/less groundwater - which may cause floods and soil erosion✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 3.2 3.2.1 - The genus name should start with a capital letter✓(Spheniscus) - The species name should start with a small letter✓(demersus) - When handwritten, the genus and species names should each be underlined separately✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.2.2 The Humboldt penguin✓ (1) 3.2.3 - It belongs to the same genus✓(Spheniscus) as the African penguin - The emperor penguin belongs to a different genus✓(Aptenodytes) - Organisms in the same genus share more characteristics✓ Any 2 (2) 3.2.4 - To organise the large number of organisms into groups✓so they are easier to study - To identify organisms✓ - To show how organisms are related✓/evolutionary relationships - So that scientists all over the world use the same system/names✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (7) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.3 3.3.1 Gondwana✓/Gondwanaland (1) 3.3.2 - The same fossils are found on both continents✓ - Because Mesosaurus could not cross the ocean, the two continents must have been joined✓when it was alive (2) 3.3.3 - Antarctica was once much warmer✓ - and had large areas of plants/forests✓(coal forms from plant material) - Antarctica was once closer to the equator✓/in a different position Any 2 (2) 3.3.4 - The Earth’s crust is divided into large plates✓ - which float on the semi-molten (plastic) rock of the mantle✓ - Convection currents in the mantle move the plates✓slowly Any 2 (2) 3.3.5 - Populations of a species were separated✓/isolated on different continents - The continents had different environmental conditions✓ - Over millions of years each population changed/evolved separately✓ - into different species✓ Any 2 (2) (9) 3.4 3.4.1 Mesozoic✓ (1) 3.4.2 201 – 145✓ = 56 million years✓ (2) 3.4.3 - A rapid increase in the number and variety of organisms✓/most of the major animal groups appeared - over a short period of geological time✓(about 541 million years ago) - Many animals developed hard parts/shells✓, so many fossils formed Any 2 (2) 3.4.4 - The impact threw large amounts of dust and debris into the atmosphere✓ - which blocked sunlight✓ - Less photosynthesis took place✓and many plants died - Food chains collapsed✓, so herbivores and then carnivores died of starvation - The temperature on Earth dropped✓/climate changed - Organisms could not adapt quickly enough✓ - The impact also caused fires, tsunamis and acid rain✓ Any 4 (4) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.5 3.5.1 Sedimentary rock✓ (1) 3.5.2 Layer 1✓ It is the lowest layer✓/it was deposited first and the layers above it were deposited later (2) 3.5.3 Relative dating✓ (1) 3.5.4 100% → 50% → 25% → 12,5% = 3 half-lives✓ 3 × 25 million years✓ = 75 million years✓ (3) 3.5.5 Younger✓ Layer 4 lies above the volcanic ash layer (75 million years old)✓, so it was deposited later (Mark CA from QUESTION 3.5.4) (2) (9) 3.6 3.6.1 Australopithecus✓ (1) 3.6.2 - It was the first early hominid (australopithecine) fossil found in Africa✓ - It supported the idea that humans originated/evolved in Africa✓ - It showed that early hominids walked upright (bipedal)✓before they had large brains Any 2 (2) 3.6.3 Gauteng✓ (1) 3.6.4 - Jobs are created✓(e.g. guides, hotels, restaurants) - Local people earn income by selling goods/crafts to tourists✓ - Better infrastructure (roads, services) is built✓ - Educational opportunities✓/learners learn about their heritage Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.6.5 - Fossils form only under special conditions✓/most bodies are not buried quickly - Soft parts decay✓ - Bones were scattered/eaten by scavengers✓or moved by water - Fossils may be destroyed by erosion/movements of the Earth’s crust✓ - Many fossils have not yet been discovered✓ - Early hominid populations were small✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (8) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved