Life Sciences Grade 10 P1 November Mock Exam 2 2026 QP (Eng)

Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 10 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 10 LIFE SCIENCES P1 NOVEMBER EXAMINATION 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 150 TIME: 2½ hours This question paper consists of 15 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 2 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions. 1. Answer ALL the questions. 2. Write ALL the answers in the 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. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink. 7. Draw diagrams, tables 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, where necessary. 11. Round off ALL calculations to TWO decimal places, where necessary. 12. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 3 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 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 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D. 1.1.1 Which ONE of the following is a disaccharide? A Glucose B Starch C Sucrose D Cellulose 1.1.2 Enzymes are described as specific because … A they are made of protein. B each enzyme acts on only one type of substrate. C they are denatured at high temperatures. D they are not used up in the reaction. 1.1.3 Consider the following statements: (i) It is a solvent in which chemical reactions take place. (ii) It is a medium for the transport of substances. (iii) It is the main source of energy for cells. (iv) It helps to regulate body temperature. Which of the statements above are functions of water in living organisms? A (i), (ii) and (iv) only B (i) and (iii) only C (ii), (iii) and (iv) only D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) 1.1.4 The organelle on which proteins are synthesised is the … A Golgi body. B centriole. C vacuole. D ribosome. 1.1.5 A body cell of an animal contains 12 chromosomes. How many chromatids will be present in this cell at the start of prophase? A 6 B 12 C 24 D 48 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.6 Which ONE of the following plant tissues is made up of cells that are dead at maturity and have walls thickened with lignin? A Parenchyma B Collenchyma C Sclerenchyma D Meristematic tissue 1.1.7 Guard cells control the opening of stomata. Stomata open when … A the guard cells lose water by osmosis. B the guard cells take in water and become turgid. C the guard cells become flaccid. D the cell walls of the guard cells become thinner. 1.1.8 Consider the following tissues: (i) Blood (ii) Cartilage (iii) Bone (iv) Ciliated epithelium Which of the tissues above are connective tissues? A (i) and (iv) only B (ii) and (iii) only C (ii), (iii) and (iv) only D (i), (ii) and (iii) only 1.1.9 Which ONE of the following bones forms part of the appendicular skeleton? A Sternum B Scapula C Rib D Vertebra 1.1.10 Osteoporosis is a condition in which … A the bones become porous and brittle because of a loss of minerals. B the articular cartilage at the joints wears away. C the bones of children become soft because of a lack of vitamin D. D the vertebral column curves sideways. (10 x 2) (20) 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 1.2.6) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 The mineral element that forms part of the chlorophyll molecule 1.2.2 The type of bond that joins amino acids to each other in a protein Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.2.3 The organelle that contains digestive enzymes which break down worn-out organelles 1.2.4 The treatment of cancer in which high-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells 1.2.5 Small pores in the bark of woody stems through which gaseous exchange takes place 1.2.6 The waxy, waterproof layer that covers the epidermis of a leaf (6 x 1) (6) 1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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 numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK. COLUMN I COLUMN II 1.3.1 A deficiency causes rickets in A: Vitamin D children B: Calcium 1.3.2 The phase of mitosis during A: Metaphase which the chromatids separate B: Telophase and move to opposite poles 1.3.3 Plant tissue made up of living A: Parenchyma cells at maturity B: Xylem vessels (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 The diagram below represents a type of cell found in animal tissue. The arrows X and Y show the two ends of the cell. C A D F X Y E B 1.4.1 Name the type of animal tissue that is made up of the cells shown in the diagram. (1) 1.4.2 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) D (1) (c) E (1) 1.4.3 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Receives impulses from other cells (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock (b) Controls all the activities of this cell (1) 1.4.4 State whether an impulse travels through this cell from X to Y or from Y to X. (1) 1.4.5 Explain the importance of part D. (2) (9) 1.5 The diagram below represents a longitudinal section through a long bone of a human. A D periosteum B C 1.5.1 The bone in the diagram is found in the thigh. Name this bone. (1) 1.5.2 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) C (1) (c) D (1) 1.5.3 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Contains red bone marrow in which blood cells are produced (1) (b) Reduces friction between bones at a joint (1) 1.5.4 Name the mineral element that makes bone hard. (1) 1.5.5 Explain why it is an advantage that the shaft of a long bone is a hollow tube rather than solid bone. (2) (9) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 Learners investigated the effect of pH on the activity of the enzyme amylase. Amylase breaks down starch into maltose. The procedure was as follows: • Five test tubes were each filled with 5 mℓ of a 1% starch solution and 2 mℓ of a buffer solution. The buffers kept the solutions in the five test tubes at pH 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 respectively. • All the test tubes were placed in a water bath at 37 °C for 5 minutes. • 1 mℓ of amylase solution was then added to each test tube. • Every 30 seconds one drop of the mixture from each test tube was placed on a spotting tile and tested with iodine solution. • The time taken until the iodine solution no longer turned blue-black was recorded. The results are shown in the table below. pH TIME UNTIL IODINE NO LONGER TURNED BLUE-BLACK (min) 3 17,0 5 6,5 7 3,0 9 9,5 11 15,5 [Data: examiner’s own] 2.1.1 Identify the: (a) Independent variable (1) (b) Dependent variable (1) 2.1.2 State TWO variables that were kept constant in this investigation. (2) 2.1.3 Explain why the test tubes were kept in a water bath at 37 °C. (2) 2.1.4 State the optimum pH for this amylase. (1) 2.1.5 Explain why the starch took the longest time to be broken down at pH 3. (2) 2.1.6 Draw a bar graph to show the results of this investigation. (6) (15) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2 Read the extract below. SUGARY DRINKS AND TEENAGE HEALTH Many soft drinks contain large amounts of sucrose. A 500 mℓ bottle of a sweetened fizzy drink may contain as much as 50 g of sugar. When a person takes in more carbohydrates than the body needs, the excess glucose is first stored in the liver and muscles, and the rest is converted into fat. Drinking sugary drinks regularly is linked to tooth decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes. In 2018 South Africa introduced a tax on sugary drinks, called the Health Promotion Levy, which makes drinks with a high sugar content more expensive. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 2.2.1 Name the TWO monosaccharides that make up a molecule of sucrose. (2) 2.2.2 Name the chemical element, other than carbon and hydrogen, that is present in all carbohydrates. (1) 2.2.3 Name ONE disease, other than obesity, that is linked to drinking sugary drinks regularly. (1) 2.2.4 Explain how the Health Promotion Levy could help to improve the health of South Africans. (2) 2.2.5 Suggest TWO ways in which a teenager could reduce the risk of becoming obese. (2) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.3 The diagram below represents a cell as seen under an electron microscope. B D A F G E C 2.3.1 Give TWO visible reasons why this is an animal cell. (2) 2.3.2 Identify organelle: (a) C (1) (b) D (1) 2.3.3 Give the LETTER of the part that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell. (1) 2.3.4 Cells of the pancreas produce and secrete large amounts of enzymes. Explain why these cells contain many of the organelles labelled C and D. (2) 2.3.5 The diagram is magnified 5 000 times. The length of the cell in the diagram is 90 mm. Calculate the actual length of the cell in micrometres (µm). Show ALL your working. (3) (10) 2.4 Onion epidermal cells were placed in distilled water and in a concentrated salt solution. After 20 minutes the cells were observed under a light microscope. The diagrams below show cell 1 from the distilled water and cell 2 from the salt solution. vacuole cell wall Cell 1 Cell 2 X 2.4.1 Name the condition of cell 2. (1) 2.4.2 Explain the appearance of cell 2. (3) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.4.3 Name the solution that fills space X. (1) 2.4.4 Explain why a red blood cell placed in distilled water will burst, while cell 1 does not burst. (2) (7) 2.5 Learners examined a prepared slide of cells from an onion root tip under a microscope. They counted the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle. The results are shown in the table below. STAGE OF THE CELL CYCLE NUMBER OF CELLS Interphase 164 Prophase 18 Metaphase 8 Anaphase 4 Telophase 6 Total 200 [Data: examiner’s own] 2.5.1 Name the type of plant tissue at the root tip in which cells divide by mitosis. (1) 2.5.2 Calculate the percentage of the cells that were in prophase. Show ALL your working. (2) 2.5.3 The time spent in each stage is in proportion to the number of cells counted in that stage. One complete cell cycle of these cells takes 24 hours. Calculate the time (in hours) that a cell spends in interphase. Show ALL your working. (3) 2.5.4 Describe the events that take place during metaphase. (2) 2.5.5 Explain ONE way in which cytokinesis in these onion cells differs from cytokinesis in an animal cell. (2) (10) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock QUESTION 3 3.1 The diagram below represents a transverse section through a young stem of a dicotyledonous plant. A B C D E F 3.1.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) D (1) (c) F (1) 3.1.2 Give the LETTER of the tissue that transports: (a) Water and mineral salts (1) (b) Organic substances such as sucrose (1) 3.1.3 Give ONE visible reason why this is the stem of a dicotyledonous plant. (1) 3.1.4 Explain how tissue D causes the stem to become thicker as the plant grows older. (2) 3.1.5 State ONE function of part F. (1) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.2 An investigation was carried out to determine on which surface of a leaf most water is lost by transpiration. The procedure was as follows: • Four leaves of the same size were picked from the same plant and labelled P, Q, R and S. • Petroleum jelly (Vaseline), which is waterproof, was applied to the leaves as shown in the table below. • Each leaf was weighed and then hung on a string in the same room for three days. • The leaves were weighed again after three days. The results are shown in the table below. LEAF TREATMENT INITIAL FINAL MASS MASS (g) MASS (g) LOST (%) P No petroleum jelly 2,50 1,85 26,00 Q Petroleum jelly on the 2,48 1,93 X upper surface only R Petroleum jelly on the 2,52 2,38 5,56 lower surface only S Petroleum jelly on both 2,50 2,46 1,60 surfaces [Data: examiner’s own] 3.2.1 Identify the dependent variable. (1) 3.2.2 Calculate the percentage mass lost by leaf Q (X). Show ALL your working. (3) 3.2.3 Explain why leaf R lost less mass than leaf Q. (3) 3.2.4 Suggest TWO reasons why leaf S still lost a small amount of mass. (2) 3.2.5 State ONE way in which the reliability of this investigation could be improved. (1) 3.2.6 Explain how the loss of mass by leaf P would be affected if the leaves were hung in a very humid room. (2) (12) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.3 The diagrams below represent longitudinal sections through two plant tissues, 1 and 2, that are found in the vascular bundles. lignified thickening B C Tissue 1 Tissue 2 3.3.1 Identify tissue: (a) 1 (1) (b) 2 (1) 3.3.2 Identify part: (a) B (1) (b) C (1) 3.3.3 Explain TWO ways in which tissue 1 is structurally suited for the transport of water. (4) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 14 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.4 The diagrams below represent three types of epithelial tissue, P, Q and R. Z Y P Q R 3.4.1 Identify epithelial tissue: (a) P (1) (b) R (1) 3.4.2 Name ONE place in the human body where tissue P is found. (1) 3.4.3 Explain how the structure of tissue P suits it for the diffusion of gases. (2) 3.4.4 Explain how parts Y and Z work together to keep the air passages clean. (2) 3.4.5 State ONE general function of epithelial tissue. (1) (8) 3.5 Researchers surveyed 500 Grade 10 learners to find out whether the mass of the school bag that a learner carries is related to back pain. The mass of each learner’s school bag was expressed as a percentage of the learner’s body mass. The results are shown in the table below. MASS OF SCHOOL BAG AS A LEARNERS WHO REPORTED PERCENTAGE OF BODY BACK PAIN (%) MASS (%) Less than 10 18 10 to 14,9 32 15 to 19,9 47 20 or more 63 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.5.1 Identify the independent variable. (1) 3.5.2 Describe the relationship between the mass of the school bag and back pain. (2) 3.5.3 A learner with a body mass of 60 kg carries a school bag of 11 kg. Calculate the mass of the school bag as a percentage of the learner’s body mass. Show ALL your working. (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 15 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.5.4 Explain why carrying a heavy school bag on ONE shoulder every day may lead to an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column. (2) (7) 3.6 Describe how the muscles of the upper arm bring about the bending and straightening of the arm at the elbow. (6) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved