Life Sciences Grade 10 P1 November Mock 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 14 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 The monomers (building blocks) of proteins are … A glucose molecules. B amino acids. C fatty acids and glycerol. D nucleotides. 1.1.2 The organelle in which aerobic cellular respiration takes place is the … A ribosome. B Golgi body. C mitochondrion. D lysosome. 1.1.3 During which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes line up on the equator of the cell? A Prophase B Anaphase C Metaphase D Telophase 1.1.4 A lack of iron in the diet causes … A anaemia. B rickets. C goitre. D scurvy. 1.1.5 The movement of water molecules from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential through a selectively permeable membrane is called … A active transport. B diffusion. C phagocytosis. D osmosis. 1.1.6 The plant tissue with cells that are thickened with cellulose at the corners, giving flexible support to young stems, is … A parenchyma. B collenchyma. C sclerenchyma. D xylem. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.7 The long bone of the human upper arm is the … A humerus. B femur. C radius. D tibia. 1.1.8 The loss of water in the form of water vapour from the aerial parts of a plant, mainly through the stomata, is called … A guttation. B transpiration. C translocation. D osmosis. 1.1.9 Which ONE of the following is the result of mitosis in a body cell? A Two genetically identical diploid cells B Four genetically different haploid cells C Two genetically different haploid cells D Four genetically identical diploid cells 1.1.10 Consider the following environmental conditions: (i) High temperature (ii) High humidity (iii) Wind (iv) High light intensity Which ONE of the following combinations will INCREASE the rate of transpiration? A (ii) and (iii) only B (i), (ii) and (iv) only C (ii) only D (i), (iii) and (iv) only (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 group of organic compounds made up of fatty acids and glycerol 1.2.2 The organelle that modifies, packages and secretes proteins 1.2.3 The phase of the cell cycle during which the DNA replicates 1.2.4 A plant tissue made up of small cells that divide continuously, found at the tips of roots and stems 1.2.5 The part of the skeleton made up of the skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum 1.2.6 The transport of manufactured food (organic substances) through the phloem (6 x 1) (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 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 Contains chlorophyll A: Chloroplast B: Chromoplast 1.3.2 Allows water and dissolved A: Cell membrane substances to pass through B: Cell wall 1.3.3 Bones of the lower leg A: Radius B: Ulna (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 The diagram below represents a cell as seen under an electron microscope. D A C B E F 1.4.1 Identify part: (a) B (1) (b) C (1) (c) F (1) 1.4.2 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Absorbs light energy for photosynthesis (1) (b) Controls all the activities of the cell (1) 1.4.3 Give ONE visible reason why this is a plant cell. (1) 1.4.4 The length of the cell in the diagram is 84 mm. The actual length of the cell is 42 µm. Calculate the magnification of the diagram. Show ALL your working. (3) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.5 The diagram below represents a joint in the human skeleton. bone A C B D 1.5.1 Name the type of joint shown in the diagram. (1) 1.5.2 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) (c) C (1) (d) D (1) 1.5.3 Explain the importance of part C. (2) 1.5.4 Name the disease in which part A wears away, causing pain and stiffness in the joint. (1) 1.5.5 Name ONE place in the human body where a ball-and-socket joint is found. (1) (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 temperature on the activity of the enzyme catalase. Catalase is found in liver cells and breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The procedure was as follows: • Six test tubes, each containing 5 g of fresh, finely chopped liver, were placed in water baths at 10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C respectively. • After 10 minutes, 5 mℓ of hydrogen peroxide solution was added to each test tube. • The volume of oxygen released in 2 minutes was collected and measured. The results are shown in the table below. TEMPERATURE (°C) VOLUME OF OXYGEN RELEASED (cm3 ) 10 8 20 15 30 27 40 34 50 18 60 3 [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 State the optimum temperature for catalase from the results. (1) 2.1.4 Explain why very little oxygen was released at 60 °C. (2) 2.1.5 Draw a line graph to show the results of this investigation. (6) (13) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2 A learner carried out food tests on three food samples, P, Q and R. The results are shown in the table below. TEST SAMPLE P SAMPLE Q SAMPLE R Iodine solution blue-black yellow-brown yellow-brown Benedict’s solution (heated) blue brick-red blue Biuret test blue blue purple Ethanol (emulsion) test clear clear milky-white [Data: examiner’s own] 2.2.1 Give the LETTER of the sample that contains: (a) Starch (1) (b) Glucose (1) (c) Both protein and lipids (2) 2.2.2 State ONE safety precaution that the learner should take when heating the test tubes containing Benedict’s solution. (1) 2.2.3 Name the form in which excess glucose is stored in the liver of humans. (1) 2.2.4 Explain why proteins are important in the diet of a growing teenager. (2) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.3 An investigation was carried out to study osmosis in potato tissue. The procedure was as follows: • Five potato strips of the same size were cut from the same potato and each one was weighed (5,0 g each). • Each strip was placed in a beaker containing 100 mℓ of a sugar solution of a different concentration. • After 3 hours the strips were removed, blotted dry with paper towel and weighed again. The results are shown in the table below. CONCENTRATION INITIAL MASS FINAL MASS CHANGE IN OF SUGAR (g) (g) MASS (%) SOLUTION (%) 0 5,0 5,6 +12 5 5,0 5,2 +4 10 5,0 4,9 –2 15 5,0 4,5 X 20 5,0 4,3 –14 [Data: examiner’s own] 2.3.1 Define osmosis. (2) 2.3.2 Identify the independent variable. (1) 2.3.3 Calculate the percentage change in mass (X) of the potato strip in the 15% sugar solution. Show ALL your working. (3) 2.3.4 Explain the result obtained for the potato strip in the 0% sugar solution (distilled water). (2) 2.3.5 Use the results to estimate the concentration of the sugar solution in which the mass of the potato strip would NOT change. (1) 2.3.6 Explain why the potato strips were blotted dry before they were weighed again. (1) (10) 2.4 Tabulate TWO structural differences between a plant cell and an animal cell. (5) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.5 The diagrams below represent four phases of mitosis in an animal cell. The phases are NOT in the correct order. X A B C D 2.5.1 Identify the phase represented by: (a) A (1) (b) C (1) 2.5.2 Write down the LETTERS of the diagrams in the correct sequence. (1) 2.5.3 Identify structure X. (1) 2.5.4 How many chromosomes will be present in EACH daughter cell at the end of this cell division? (1) 2.5.5 Describe the events that take place during the phase represented by diagram A. (3) 2.5.6 State ONE importance of mitosis in multicellular organisms. (1) (9) 2.6 Read the extract below. SKIN CANCER South Africa has strong sunshine for most of the year. Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage the DNA in skin cells. Damaged cells may then divide by mitosis in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour. People with fair skin, people who use sunbeds and outdoor workers who do not protect their skin have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Doctors advise people to check their skin regularly for moles that change in size, shape or colour. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 2.6.1 Explain how cancer develops, according to the extract. (2) 2.6.2 Name ONE group of people with a higher risk of skin cancer. (1) 2.6.3 State TWO ways in which people can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. (2) (5) [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 part of a leaf of a dicotyledonous plant. A B C D E stoma F 3.1.1 Identify part: (a) B (1) (b) D (1) (c) E (1) 3.1.2 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Reduces water loss from the upper surface of the leaf (1) (b) Controls the opening and closing of the stoma (1) 3.1.3 Name the tissue in part E that transports water to the leaf. (1) 3.1.4 Explain TWO ways in which tissue C is structurally suited for photosynthesis. (4) (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.2 A potometer was used to measure the rate of water uptake by a leafy shoot under four different conditions. The air bubble in the capillary tube moves as water is taken up by the shoot. leafy shoot reservoir air bubble rubber tubing tap scale (mm) beaker of water The distance moved by the air bubble in 10 minutes under each condition is shown in the table below. CONDITION DISTANCE MOVED BY THE AIR BUBBLE IN 10 MINUTES (mm) Still air, light, 25 °C 30 Moving air (fan), light, 25 °C 54 Humid air, light, 25 °C 12 Still air, dark, 25 °C 6 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.2.1 State what is measured by the movement of the air bubble. (1) 3.2.2 Calculate the rate of water uptake (in mm/min) in moving air. Show ALL your working. (2) 3.2.3 Explain why the rate of water uptake was higher in moving air than in still air. (2) 3.2.4 Explain why the rate of water uptake was the lowest in the dark. (2) 3.2.5 Explain why the shoot must be cut and fitted to the potometer under water. (2) 3.2.6 State ONE way in which the reliability of this investigation could be improved. (1) (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.3 The diagram below represents a transverse section through the root of a dicotyledonous plant. root hair B C A E D 3.3.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) (c) C (1) 3.3.2 Give the LETTER of the tissue that transports manufactured food in the root. (1) 3.3.3 Explain TWO ways in which the root hair is structurally suited for the absorption of water. (4) (8) 3.4 The diagrams below represent three types of muscle tissue, X, Y and Z, as seen under a light microscope. X Y Z 3.4.1 Identify muscle tissue: (a) X (1) (b) Y (1) (c) Z (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 14 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.4.2 Give the LETTER of the muscle tissue found in the wall of the alimentary canal. (1) 3.4.3 Give the LETTER of the muscle tissue that is under voluntary control. (1) 3.4.4 Explain why muscle tissue Z must never become tired (fatigued). (2) (7) 3.5 Researchers investigated the relationship between the daily calcium intake and the bone density of teenagers. They measured the bone density of 400 learners, aged 15 to 17 years, who had kept a record of the food they ate for six months. The results are shown in the table below. AVERAGE DAILY CALCIUM AVERAGE BONE DENSITY INTAKE (mg) (g/cm2 ) 300 0,82 600 0,91 900 0,98 1 200 1,02 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.5.1 Identify the independent variable. (1) 3.5.2 State a conclusion for this investigation. (2) 3.5.3 Calculate the percentage increase in the average bone density between learners with a daily intake of 300 mg and those with 1 200 mg of calcium. Show ALL your working. (3) 3.5.4 Name TWO foods that are good sources of calcium. (2) 3.5.5 Name the vitamin that is needed for the absorption of calcium from the food. (1) (9) 3.6 Describe how water moves from the soil, through the root, to the leaves of a plant. (6) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved