# Life Sciences Grade 10 P1 November Mock 2026 Memo (English) > Grade 10 Life Sciences Paper 1 memorandum from the November Mock Exam 2026 (English), 12 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10-life-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1/7cd01b5e-09b4-433c-9125-b004c26811cd - Updated: 2026-10-29 - Subject: Life Sciences - Grade: Grade 10 - Language: English - Document type: Memorandum - Year: 2026 - Exam period: November Mock Exam - Paper: 1 - Publisher: Hlayiso - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 12 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 10](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10) › [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10/life-sciences) › [Life Sciences Grade 10 P1 November Mock 2026 Memo (English)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10-life-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1/7cd01b5e-09b4-433c-9125-b004c26811cd) ## About this document Life Sciences · Grade 10 · November Mock Exam · 2026 · English. Memorandum, 12 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Matching paper and memo - [Grade 10 Life Sciences P1 November 2026 Mock](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-10-life-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-1/0c82afe6-0b61-4685-9c62-7a67740800e0) — QP · 2026 · Eng ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 10 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 10 LIFE SCIENCES P1 NOVEMBER EXAMINATION 2026 (MOCK) MARKING GUIDELINES MARKS: 150 These marking guidelines consist of 12 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Life Sciences/P1 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 ### Page 3 Life Sciences/P1 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 ### Page 4 Life Sciences/P1 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1 1.1.1 B✓✓ 1.1.2 C✓✓ 1.1.3 C✓✓ 1.1.4 A✓✓ 1.1.5 D✓✓ 1.1.6 B✓✓ 1.1.7 A✓✓ 1.1.8 B✓✓ 1.1.9 A✓✓ 1.1.10 D✓✓ (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 1.2.1 Lipids✓/fats and oils 1.2.2 Golgi body✓/Golgi apparatus/Golgi complex 1.2.3 Interphase✓ 1.2.4 Meristematic tissue✓/meristem/apical meristem 1.2.5 Axial skeleton✓ 1.2.6 Translocation✓ (6 x 1) (6) 1.3 1.3.1 A only✓✓ 1.3.2 Both A and B✓✓ 1.3.3 None✓✓ (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 1.4.1 (a) Cell membrane✓/plasma membrane/plasmalemma (1) (b) Vacuole✓ (1) (c) Mitochondrion✓ (1) 1.4.2 (a) E✓ (1) (b) D✓ (1) 1.4.3 - It has a cell wall✓ - It has chloroplasts✓ - It has a large (central) vacuole✓ - It has a regular/rectangular shape✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.4.4 84 mm = 84 000 µm✓ Magnification = drawing size ÷ actual size = 84 000 ÷ 42✓ = × 2 000✓ (3) (9) 1.5 1.5.1 Synovial joint✓/freely movable joint (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Life Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 1.5.2 (a) (Articular) cartilage✓ (1) (b) Synovial membrane✓/synovial capsule (1) (c) Synovial fluid✓ (1) (d) Ligament✓ (1) 1.5.3 - It lubricates the joint✓ - and reduces friction✓between the bones/cartilages - It acts as a shock absorber✓ - It supplies nutrients to the cartilage✓ Any 2 (2) 1.5.4 Arthritis✓/osteoarthritis (1) 1.5.5 Shoulder✓/hip (1) (9) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Life Sciences/P1 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 2.1.1 (a) Temperature✓ (1) (b) Activity of catalase✓/volume of oxygen released (in 2 minutes) (1) 2.1.2 - Mass of liver/5 g✓ - Volume of hydrogen peroxide/5 mℓ✓ - Concentration of hydrogen peroxide✓ - Time allowed in the water bath/10 minutes✓ - Time over which oxygen was collected/2 minutes✓ - Type of liver/freshness of liver✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 2.1.3 40 °C✓ (1) 2.1.4 - The high temperature denatured✓/destroyed the enzyme (catalase) - so very little hydrogen peroxide was broken down✓/the enzyme could no longer work (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Life Sciences/P1 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.1.5 The effect of temperature on the activity of catalase Volume of oxygen released (cm3 ) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Temperature (°C) Criteria Mark Correct type of graph: line graph (T) 1 Caption includes both variables (C) 1 Correct label and unit for X-axis and 1 Y-axis (L) Appropriate scale for X-axis and Y-axis 1 (S) Plotting of points (P): 1–5 points plotted correctly 1 All 6 points plotted correctly 2 If a bar graph or histogram 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) (13) 2.2 2.2.1 (a) P✓ (1) (b) Q✓ (1) (c) R✓✓ (2) 2.2.2 - Point the mouth of the test tube away from yourself and others✓ - Heat the test tube in a water bath✓/do not heat directly over a flame - Use a test-tube holder✓ - Wear safety goggles✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) 2.2.3 Glycogen✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Life Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.2.4 - Proteins are needed for growth✓ - to build new cells/tissues✓/muscles - to repair damaged tissues✓ - to make enzymes/hormones/antibodies✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 2.3 2.3.1 The movement of water molecules from a region of high water potential/dilute solution to a region of low water potential/concentrated solution✓across a selectively/differentially permeable membrane✓ (2) 2.3.2 Concentration of the sugar solution✓ (1) 2.3.3 (4,5 – 5,0)✓÷ 5,0 × 100✓ = –10%✓ (a decrease of 10%) (3) 2.3.4 - Distilled water has a higher water potential than the potato cells✓ - so water moved into the cells by osmosis✓ - and the mass of the strip increased✓ Any 2 (2) 2.3.5 Approximately 8%✓ (Accept any value between 6% and 9%) (1) 2.3.6 To remove the solution on the surface of the strips so that only the change in mass due to osmosis is measured✓/to obtain an accurate mass (1) (10) 2.4 PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL Has a cell wall Has no cell wall Has chloroplasts/plastids Has no chloroplasts/plastids Has a large, central vacuole Has small vacuoles/no vacuole Has no centrioles Has centrioles Regular/fixed shape Irregular shape ✓✓ for each difference (Any 2 x 2) + table ✓ = 5 (Mark first TWO only) (5) 2.5 2.5.1 (a) Anaphase✓ (1) (b) Telophase✓ (1) 2.5.2 B, D, A, C✓ (1) 2.5.3 Spindle fibre✓/spindle (1) 2.5.4 4✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Life Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.5.5 - The spindle fibres contract/shorten✓ - The centromere of each chromosome splits✓ - The chromatids (now daughter chromosomes) are pulled to opposite poles✓of the cell (3) 2.5.6 - Growth✓ - Repair of damaged/worn-out tissues✓/replacement of cells - Asexual reproduction✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) (9) 2.6 2.6.1 - UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells✓ - The damaged cells divide by mitosis in an uncontrolled way✓ - and form a tumour✓ Any 2 (2) 2.6.2 - People with fair skin✓ - People who use sunbeds✓ - Outdoor workers who do not protect their skin✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) 2.6.3 - Use sunscreen✓with a high SPF - Wear a hat✓/protective clothing/sunglasses - Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day✓(10:00–15:00)/stay in the shade - Do not use sunbeds✓ - Check the skin regularly for changes in moles✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (5) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Life Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines QUESTION 3 3.1 3.1.1 (a) Upper epidermis✓ (1) (b) Spongy mesophyll✓/spongy parenchyma (1) (c) Vascular bundle✓/vein (1) 3.1.2 (a) A✓ (1) (b) F✓ (1) 3.1.3 Xylem✓ (1) 3.1.4 - The cells contain many chloroplasts✓to absorb the maximum amount of light✓ - The cells are columnar/elongated and closely packed✓so that many cells can absorb light✓ - The tissue lies just below the transparent upper epidermis✓where it receives the most light✓ - The chloroplasts can move within the cells✓to the position of best light✓ Any 2 x 2 (4) (10) 3.2 3.2.1 The rate of water uptake✓by the shoot (which is approximately equal to the rate of transpiration) (1) 3.2.2 54 mm ÷ 10 min✓ = 5,4 mm/min✓ (2) 3.2.3 - Moving air removes the water vapour from around the stomata✓ - which increases the water vapour concentration gradient✓between the leaf and the air - so more water evaporates/diffuses out of the leaf✓and more water is taken up Any 2 (2) 3.2.4 - The stomata close in the dark✓ - so very little water is lost by transpiration✓/less water is taken up (2) 3.2.5 - To prevent air from entering the xylem vessels✓ - which would block the movement of water✓/break the water column (2) 3.2.6 - Repeat the investigation✓and calculate an average - Use more shoots✓/a larger sample Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) (10) 3.3 3.3.1 (a) Epidermis✓/piliferous layer (1) (b) Cortex✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Life Sciences/P1 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines (c) Endodermis✓ (1) 3.3.2 E✓ (1) 3.3.3 - It is long and thin/narrow✓which increases the surface area for absorption✓ - It has a thin cell wall✓which allows water to move in easily/short distance for osmosis✓ - It has a large vacuole with concentrated cell sap✓which keeps a low water potential/maintains a concentration gradient so that water enters by osmosis✓ - It has no cuticle✓which allows water to enter freely✓ Any 2 x 2 (4) (8) 3.4 3.4.1 (a) Skeletal muscle✓/striated/striped/voluntary muscle (1) (b) Smooth muscle✓/unstriated/involuntary/visceral muscle (1) (c) Cardiac muscle✓/heart muscle (1) 3.4.2 Y✓ (1) 3.4.3 X✓ (1) 3.4.4 - Cardiac muscle forms the wall of the heart✓ - which must contract continuously/rhythmically throughout life✓ - to pump blood✓carrying oxygen and nutrients to all body cells - If it stopped, the person would die✓ Any 2 (2) (7) 3.5 3.5.1 Average daily calcium intake✓ (1) 3.5.2 As the daily calcium intake increases✓, the bone density increases✓ (2) 3.5.3 (1,02 – 0,82)✓÷ 0,82 × 100✓ = 24,39%✓ (3) 3.5.4 - Milk/amasi (maas)✓ - Cheese/yoghurt✓ - Green leafy vegetables✓/spinach/morogo - Tinned fish with bones/sardines/pilchards✓ - Eggs✓/beans/nuts Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.5.5 Vitamin D✓ (1) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 12 Life Sciences/P1 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.6 - The cell sap of the root hair has a lower water potential than the soil water✓ - so water enters the root hair by osmosis✓ - Water moves from cell to cell across the cortex✓by osmosis/along the cell walls - It passes through the endodermis/passage cells✓ - into the xylem✓of the root - Root pressure✓pushes the water upwards - Water moves up the xylem of the stem by capillarity✓ - and by cohesion and adhesion✓of the water molecules - Transpiration pull✓draws the column of water upwards - The water reaches the xylem in the veins of the leaf✓ - and moves into the mesophyll cells by osmosis✓ Any 6 (6) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - 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