Life Sciences Grade 10 P2 November Mock 2026 Memo (English)

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 12 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 C✓✓ 1.1.2 A✓✓ 1.1.3 B✓✓ 1.1.4 C✓✓ 1.1.5 D✓✓ 1.1.6 B✓✓ 1.1.7 C✓✓ 1.1.8 D✓✓ 1.1.9 A✓✓ 1.1.10 C✓✓ (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 1.2.1 Arteries✓ 1.2.2 Plasma✓/blood plasma 1.2.3 Community✓ 1.2.4 Trophic level✓ 1.2.5 Endemic species✓ 1.2.6 Palaeontology✓ 1.2.7 Species✓ (7 x 1) (7) 1.3 1.3.1 Both A and B✓✓ 1.3.2 A only✓✓ 1.3.3 A only✓✓ 1.3.4 Both A and B✓✓ (4 x 2) (8) 1.4 1.4.1 Grass and acacia tree✓ (Both required) (1) 1.4.2 Impala✓ (1) 1.4.3 Lizard✓/bird/lion/snake/eagle (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.4.4 - Grass → grasshopper → lizard → snake - Grass → grasshopper → bird → eagle - Grass → mouse → snake → eagle Any ONE: correct organisms in the correct order✓; arrows pointing in the direction of energy flow✓ (2) 1.4.5 - The lizard population will decrease✓ - because there will be less food✓/grasshoppers are the only food of the lizards - The lizards may also be poisoned by eating poisoned grasshoppers✓ Any 2 (2) 1.4.6 Decomposers✓/bacteria and fungi (1) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 1.5 1.5.1 Giraffa camelopardalis✓ (1) 1.5.2 Crocodylus✓ (1) 1.5.3 - Body NOT covered with feathers✓ - Body covered with fur/hair✓ - Black and white stripes on the body✓ Any 2 (2) 1.5.4 Carl Linnaeus✓ (1) 1.5.5 - Scientific names are used by scientists all over the world/are universal✓ - One organism may have different common names in different languages/areas✓, which causes confusion - Different organisms may have the same common name✓ - Scientific names show how organisms are related✓/organisms in the same genus share the first name 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) Aorta✓ (1) (b) Left atrium✓ (1) (c) Superior vena cava✓/vena cava (1) 2.1.2 F✓ (1) 2.1.3 - Chamber E/the left ventricle pumps blood to all parts of the body✓/over a long distance - which requires a greater force/higher pressure✓ - Chamber F/the right ventricle pumps blood only to the lungs✓/over a short distance Any 2 (2) 2.1.4 - It prevents the backflow of blood✓ - from the left ventricle into the left atrium✓when the ventricle contracts - so that blood flows in one direction only✓ Any 2 (2) 2.1.5 - Deoxygenated blood from the venae cavae enters the right atrium✓ - The right atrium contracts and blood passes through the tricuspid valve✓ - into the right ventricle✓ - The right ventricle contracts and blood passes through the (pulmonary) semilunar valve✓ - into the pulmonary artery✓which carries it to the lungs Any 4 (4) (12) 2.2 2.2.1 (a) Artery✓ (1) (b) Vein✓ (1) (c) Capillary✓ (1) 2.2.2 R✓ (1) 2.2.3 - The thick, muscular wall can withstand the high pressure✓of blood pumped from the heart - The elastic wall stretches and recoils✓which helps to push the blood forward/maintain the pressure✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.2.4 - Blood in the veins flows at a low pressure✓ - The valves prevent the backflow of blood✓ - and make sure that blood flows towards the heart✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 2.3 2.3.1 (a) Type of activity✓ (1) (b) Heart rate✓/number of heartbeats per minute (1) 2.3.2 - Learners were of the same age✓ - and the same gender✓ - Each activity was done for the same time/3 minutes✓ - The heart rate was measured immediately after each activity✓ - The learners rested for 15 minutes between activities✓/heart rate returned to normal Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 2.3.3 - The muscles need more energy✓ - so the rate of cellular respiration increases✓ - More oxygen and glucose must be delivered to the muscles✓ - and more carbon dioxide must be removed✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.3.4 Average heart rate (beats per minute) The effect of different activities on the heart rate 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Sitting Walking Jogging Sprinting Activity Criteria Mark Correct type of graph: bar graph (T) 1 Caption includes both variables (C) 1 Correct label for X-axis and Y-axis, 1 including unit (L) Appropriate scale for Y-axis and equal 1 width/spacing of bars (S) Plotting of bars (P): 1–3 bars plotted correctly 1 All 4 bars plotted correctly 2 If a line 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) (12) 2.4 2.4.1 The sun✓/sunlight/solar energy (1) 2.4.2 1 620 ÷ 18 000 × 100✓ = 9%✓ (2) 2.4.3 9/100 × 1 620✓ = 145,8 kJ✓ (Accept 145,80 kJ / 146 kJ) (2) 2.4.4 - As heat during cellular respiration✓ - Used for movement/life processes✓ - In undigested food/faeces✓ - In excretory products/urine✓ - Parts of organisms that are not eaten✓(e.g. roots, bones) Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.4.5 - About 90% of the energy is lost at each trophic level✓ - so after four or five levels there is too little energy left✓to support another level of consumers (2) (9) 2.5 2.5.1 June✓ (1) 2.5.2 July to December: 85 + 75 + 50 + 35 + 25 + 18 = 288 mm✓ Total = 257 + 288 = 545 mm✓ (2) 2.5.3 Winter✓ (1) 2.5.4 Fynbos✓ (1) 2.5.5 - Small/narrow/needle-like leaves✓which reduce the surface area for water loss✓ - Hard, leathery leaves with a thick cuticle✓which reduce transpiration✓ - Rolled leaves/hairs on the leaves✓which trap moist air/reduce water loss✓ - Deep or widespread root systems✓to absorb as much water as possible✓ - Some plants store water in their leaves/stems✓(succulents) to use during the dry season✓ Any 2 x 2 (4) (9) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines QUESTION 3 3.1 3.1.1 (a) Photosynthesis✓ (1) (b) Decomposition✓/decay (1) (c) Combustion✓/burning (1) 3.1.2 3✓ (1) 3.1.3 Bacteria✓/fungi/decomposers (1) 3.1.4 - During photosynthesis oxygen is released into the atmosphere✓ - This oxygen is used by plants and animals for cellular respiration✓ (2) 3.1.5 - Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide✓into the atmosphere - Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat✓ - so the average temperature of the Earth increases✓ Any 2 (2) (9) 3.2 3.2.1 Panthera pardus Genus with a capital letter and species with a small letter✓ Written in italics/underlined separately✓ (2) 3.2.2 Lion and leopard✓ (1) 3.2.3 - They belong to the same genus✓/Panthera - so they share more characteristics✓ - The cheetah belongs to a different genus✓/Acinonyx Any 2 (2) 3.2.4 Family✓/Felidae (1) 3.2.5 Fungi✓ (1) 3.2.6 - Plants are autotrophic/make their own food✓, while animals are heterotrophic✓ - Plant cells have cell walls (of cellulose)✓, while animal cells have no cell walls✓ - Plants contain chlorophyll/chloroplasts✓, while animals do not✓ - Plants are fixed in one place✓, while most animals can move from place to place✓ Any 1 x 2 (Mark first ONE only) (2) (9) 3.3 3.3.1 The time taken for half✓of the radioactive atoms (carbon-14) in a sample to decay✓ (2) 3.3.2 5 730 years✓ (Accept 5 700–5 750 years) (1) 3.3.3 11 460 years✓ (Accept 11 400–11 500 years) (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.3.4 100% → 50% → 25% → 12,5% = 3 half-lives✓ 3 × 5 730✓ = 17 190 years✓ (3) 3.3.5 - After about 50 000 years there is too little carbon-14 left✓ - to be measured accurately✓ - Other radioactive elements (e.g. potassium/uranium) in the rocks must be used✓ Any 2 (2) (9) 3.4 3.4.1 The extinction of a large number of species✓over a relatively short period of geological time✓ (2) 3.4.2 Permian✓ (1) 3.4.3 252 – 66✓ = 186 million years✓ (2) 3.4.4 - A large meteorite/asteroid struck the Earth✓ - Large-scale volcanic eruptions✓ - Dust in the atmosphere blocked sunlight✓/climate change/a drop in temperature Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.4.5 Cenozoic✓ (1) 3.4.6 - Destruction of habitats✓/deforestation/urbanisation/farming - Poaching/overhunting/overfishing✓ - Pollution✓ - Climate change/global warming caused by burning fossil fuels✓ - Introduction of alien invasive species✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (10) 3.5 3.5.1 - It is a living organism✓ - that is very similar to its fossil ancestors✓/has changed very little over millions of years - and was known only from fossils✓/was thought to be extinct Any 2 (2) 3.5.2 The youngest fossils were about 66 million years old✓/no younger fossils had been found (1) 3.5.3 The preserved remains or traces✓of organisms that lived long ago✓ (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.5.4 - Sterkfontein✓/Cradle of Humankind - Taung✓ - Swartkrans✓ - Rising Star Cave✓ - Makapansgat✓ - Karoo✓ - West Coast Fossil Park/Langebaanweg✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (7) 3.6 - The animal dies and its body falls into water/mud✓ - The soft parts decompose/are eaten✓ - The hard parts (bones, teeth, shells) remain✓ - The remains are quickly covered by sediment✓(sand, mud) - which protects them from scavengers and decomposition✓ - Over a long time more layers of sediment are deposited✓ - The pressure of the layers compacts the sediment into sedimentary rock✓ - Minerals in the water seep into the bones✓ - and gradually replace the original material/harden into rock✓ - The fossil may be exposed by erosion✓/uplift of the rock Any 6 (6) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved