Life Sciences Grade 11 P2 November Mock Exam 2 2026 Memo

Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 11 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 11 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. SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1 1.1.1 B✓✓ 1.1.2 C✓✓ 1.1.3 A✓✓ 1.1.4 D✓✓ 1.1.5 B✓✓ 1.1.6 A✓✓ 1.1.7 C✓✓ 1.1.8 D✓✓ 1.1.9 B✓✓ 1.1.10 D✓✓ (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 1.2.1 Active immunity✓ 1.2.2 Hyphae✓ 1.2.3 Prothallus✓ 1.2.4 Mesoglea✓ 1.2.5 Commensalism✓ 1.2.6 Density-independent factors✓ 1.2.7 Deforestation✓ 1.2.8 Carbon footprint✓ (8 x 1) (8) 1.3 1.3.1 A only✓✓ 1.3.2 None✓✓ 1.3.3 Both A and B✓✓ (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 1.4.1 Coelom✓/true body cavity/through gut/complete gut (with mouth and anus) (1) 1.4.2 - The animal has a front (anterior) end that meets the environment first✓ - which allows cephalisation✓/sense organs to be concentrated at the front - Allows streamlined movement in one direction✓ - The mesoderm forms muscles✓that allow active movement Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.4.3 (a) Porifera✓ (1) (b) Annelida✓/Arthropoda (1) 1.4.4 (a) B✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines (b) C✓ (1) (c) B✓and C✓ (2) (8) 1.5 1.5.1 Interspecific competition✓ (1) 1.5.2 400 plants✓ (1) 1.5.3 280 plants✓ (accept 275–285) (1) 1.5.4 - The population of Q increased until day 8✓/up to about 100 plants - and then decreased until it almost died out✓/reached 2 plants on day 20 (2) 1.5.5 Competitive exclusion principle✓ (1) 1.5.6 - Light✓ - Space/water surface area✓ - Nutrients/minerals/nitrates/phosphates✓ - Carbon dioxide✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (8) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 2.1.1 (a) Temperature✓ (1) (b) Volume of carbon dioxide produced/collected (in 30 minutes)✓ (1) 2.1.2 - Volume of sugar solution (100 cm3 )✓ - Concentration of sugar solution (10%)✓ - Mass of yeast (5 g)✓ - Time allowed (30 minutes)✓ - Type of yeast/type of sugar✓ - Size/type of flask and measuring cylinder✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 2.1.3 - It is the control✓ - to show that the carbon dioxide is produced by the yeast and not by the sugar solution alone✓ (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.1.4 Volume of carbon dioxide produced by yeast at different temperatures 30 Volume of CO2 (cm3 ) 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 that includes both variables (C) 1 Correct scale for X-axis and Y-axis (S) 1 Correct labels and units for X-axis and Y-axis (L) 1 Plotting of points (P): 1–4 points plotted correctly 1 All 5 points plotted correctly 2 NOTE: If a bar graph or histogram is drawn: marks lost for T; P can still be awarded. If the axes are swapped: marks can be awarded for C, S and P, but not for L. If the points are not joined, or are joined to the origin/flask 6: lose the mark for T. (6) 2.1.5 - The high temperature/55 °C denatured the enzymes✓/killed the yeast cells - so (anaerobic) respiration/fermentation could not take place✓/the yeast could not break down the sugar (2) (14) 2.2 2.2.1 Bacteria✓ (1) 2.2.2 - When an infected person coughs/sneezes/talks, droplets containing the bacteria are released into the air✓ - A healthy person breathes in/inhales the droplets✓ - Spread is faster in crowded/poorly ventilated places✓ Any 2 (2) 2.2.3 Decrease = 1 250 – 400 = 850 cases✓ 850 Percentage decrease = × 100✓ 1 250 = 68%✓ (1 mark for the correct answer only if no working is shown) (3) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.2.4 - The vaccine contains a dead/weakened form or part of the pathogen✓/antigens - which stimulates the lymphocytes to produce antibodies✓ - Memory cells are formed✓ - When the person is later infected, the antibodies are produced quickly✓/in large amounts - and the pathogen is destroyed before the person becomes ill✓ Any 3 (3) (9) 2.3 2.3.1 (a) Bryophytes✓ (1) (b) Gymnosperms✓ (1) 2.3.2 R✓ (1) 2.3.3 GROUP P GROUP S No vascular tissue Vascular tissue present Reproduce by spores Reproduce by seeds (in fruit) No flowers Flowers present Gametophyte is the dominant Sporophyte is the dominant generation generation Depend on water for Do not depend on water for fertilisation fertilisation Rhizoids True roots ✓✓ for each difference (Any 2 x 2) + table ✓ = 5 (Mark first TWO only) (5) 2.3.4 Sori✓/sorus (1) (9) 2.4 2.4.1 - Pumpkins have separate male and female flowers, so the female flowers depend on insects/bees to carry pollen to them✓ - The bees could not reach the flowers✓ - so no/very little pollination took place✓ - and therefore no fertilisation✓/very few fruit formed - The few fruits may be due to small insects/wind getting pollen through the mesh✓ Any 2 (2) 2.4.2 - The mesh bags themselves did not prevent fruit set✓ - The low fruit set in group B was due to a lack of pollination✓ - When pollen reaches the stigma, fruit can develop✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.4.3 - The bee is attracted to the flowers by their colour/scent/nectar✓ - Pollen sticks to its hairy body when it touches the anthers of a male flower✓ - It then visits a female flower of another pumpkin plant✓ - and the pollen is rubbed onto the sticky stigma✓ Any 3 (3) 2.4.4 - Fewer flowers will be pollinated✓ - so fewer fruits/seeds will be produced✓ - Less food will be available✓/food prices will increase Any 2 (2) (9) 2.5 2.5.1 OPEN BLOOD SYSTEM CLOSED BLOOD SYSTEM Blood leaves the vessels and Blood always stays inside flows into the body blood vessels cavity/haemocoel Blood bathes the Substances are exchanged organs/tissues directly through the walls of capillaries Blood flows slowly under low Blood flows quickly under pressure high pressure No capillaries Capillaries present ✓✓ for each difference (Any 2 x 2) (A table is not required. Mark the first TWO differences only; each difference must compare both systems.) (Mark first TWO only) (4) 2.5.2 - Annelida✓ - Chordata✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.5.3 Earthworms: - Their burrows aerate the soil✓/improve drainage - They mix the soil layers✓ - They break down dead plant material✓and add nutrients/humus to the soil✓ Any 2 Dung beetles: - They bury dung✓and return nutrients to the soil✓ - They loosen/aerate the soil✓ - They reduce the breeding places of flies and parasites✓that affect livestock Any 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 X✓ (1) 3.1.2 - Wide/broad base✓– a large percentage of young people/high birth rate - Narrow top✓– few old people/low life expectancy - Rapid decrease in the size of the bars from the bottom to the top✓/triangular shape Any 2 (2) 3.1.3 14%✓ (1) 6 3.1.4 6% of 12 000 000 = × 12 000 000✓ 100 = 720 000✓ (2) 3.1.5 Females✓ (1) 3.1.6 - There is a large percentage of people in the middle age groups (40–59 years)✓ - who will soon become old/retire✓ - Older people need more health care and need pensions✓ - There are fewer young people who will become workers/taxpayers✓to support them Any 2 (2) 3.1.7 - Little access to family planning/contraceptives✓ - Poor education✓, especially of girls/women - Cultural or religious beliefs✓ - High infant mortality, so parents have more children✓ - Children are needed to work/support parents in old age✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (11) 3.2 3.2.1 Quadrat method✓/sampling with quadrats (1) 3.2.2 Total number of aloes in the quadrats = 18✓ Total area sampled = 10 × 9 m2 = 90 m2 ✓ Number of aloes per m2 = 18 ÷ 90 = 0,2✓ Population size = 0,2 × 4 500 = 900 aloes✓ OR Total = 18✓; average per quadrat = 18 ÷ 10 = 1,8✓; number of quadrats that fit on the hillside = 4 500 ÷ 9 = 500✓; population = 1,8 × 500 = 900 aloes✓ (4) 3.2.3 - So that the samples are representative of the whole hillside✓ - To avoid bias✓ - The aloes are not evenly distributed✓ Any 2 (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.2.4 - Springhares move around✓/are mobile - Springhares hide in burrows/run away when people approach✓ - Springhares are active at night✓/nocturnal Any 1 (Mark first ONE only) (1) (8) 3.3 3.3.1 (a) Parasitism✓ (1) (b) Predation✓/predator–prey relationship (1) (c) Mutualism✓ (1) 3.3.2 - The guard warns the group when a predator approaches✓ - so that the meerkats can escape to their burrows✓/fewer meerkats are killed - The others can feed without having to watch out for predators✓ Any 2 (2) 3.3.3 - There will be less predation✓/fewer meerkats will be eaten - so the meerkat population will increase✓ - until food/space becomes limiting✓/intraspecific competition increases Any 2 (2) (7) 3.4 3.4.1 - The natural greenhouse effect: greenhouse gases trap some of the heat✓to keep the Earth warm enough for life - The enhanced greenhouse effect: the increased amount of greenhouse gases released by human activities✓traps more heat, which increases the temperature of the Earth (2) 3.4.2 - Burning of fossil fuels/coal/oil/petrol✓/coal-fired power stations - Deforestation/burning of forests✓ - Transport/vehicles✓ - Industries/factories✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.4.3 As the average maximum summer temperature increased✓, the maize yield decreased✓ OR An inverse/negative relationship (1 mark only if no description) (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.4.4 - Higher temperatures increase evaporation from the soil✓ - so less water is available to the maize plants✓ - The plants lose more water by transpiration✓and wilt - The stomata close✓/less carbon dioxide enters the leaves - so less photosynthesis takes place✓/plants grow less - Heat stress damages the flowers/reduces pollination✓so fewer cobs/grains form - Higher temperatures are linked to lower rainfall/droughts✓(as shown in the table) - Pests and diseases of maize may increase✓ Any 4 (4) 3.4.5 - Plant drought-resistant/heat-tolerant crop varieties✓ - Use irrigation/drip irrigation✓ - Harvest and store rainwater✓ - Plant at a different time of the year✓ - Use mulching/conservation tillage to keep moisture in the soil✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (12) 3.5 3.5.1 Thermal pollution✓ (1) 3.5.2 - The water at Q is warmer/31 °C✓ - Warm water holds/dissolves less oxygen✓ (2) 3.5.3 - Sewage containing organic matter/nutrients enters the river at S✓ - Bacteria/decomposers break down the organic matter✓ - and use up the oxygen✓in the water - The nutrients may cause an algal bloom/eutrophication✓; when the algae die, their decomposition uses up more oxygen Any 3 (3) 3.5.4 P✓and R✓ (2) 3.5.5 - Alien trees use more water than indigenous plants✓/have deep roots and lose large amounts of water by transpiration - When they are removed, more water runs off into the river✓/more water is available (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.5.6 Mechanical: - Cutting down/felling the trees✓ - Pulling out/uprooting young plants✓ - Ring-barking✓ - Controlled burning✓ Any 1 Chemical: - Spraying with herbicides/weed killers✓ - Painting herbicide onto the cut stumps✓ Any 1 (Mark first ONE of each only) (2) (12) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved