# Life Sciences Grade 11 P1 November Mock 2026 Memo (English) > Grade 11 Life Sciences Paper 1 memorandum from the November Mock Exam 2026 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11-life-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1/1f3ccf60-6bea-4551-ac18-7bb61bfff3e6 - Updated: 2026-10-29 - Subject: Life Sciences - Grade: Grade 11 - Language: English - Document type: Memorandum - Year: 2026 - Exam period: November Mock Exam - Paper: 1 - Publisher: Hlayiso - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 11 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 11](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11) › [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11/life-sciences) › [Life Sciences Grade 11 P1 November Mock 2026 Memo (English)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11-life-sciences-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1/1f3ccf60-6bea-4551-ac18-7bb61bfff3e6) ## About this document Life Sciences · Grade 11 · November Mock Exam · 2026 · English. Memorandum, 11 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 11 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 11 LIFE SCIENCES P1 NOVEMBER EXAMINATION 2026 (MOCK) MARKING GUIDELINES MARKS: 150 These marking guidelines consist of 11 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 D✓✓ 1.1.4 A✓✓ 1.1.5 D✓✓ 1.1.6 C✓✓ 1.1.7 A✓✓ 1.1.8 B✓✓ 1.1.9 D✓✓ 1.1.10 C✓✓ (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 1.2.1 Chlorophyll✓ 1.2.2 Assimilation✓ 1.2.3 Lacteal✓ 1.2.4 Mitochondrion✓/mitochondria 1.2.5 Epiglottis✓ 1.2.6 Bowman’s capsule✓ 1.2.7 Deamination✓ 1.2.8 Mechanical digestion✓ (8 x 1) (8) 1.3 1.3.1 B only✓✓ 1.3.2 Both A and B✓✓ 1.3.3 None✓✓ (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 1.4.1 (a) Double membrane✓/chloroplast envelope/outer and inner membrane (1) (b) Granum✓/grana (1) (c) Stroma✓ (1) 1.4.2 (a) B✓ (1) (b) C✓ (1) 1.4.3 Starch✓ (1) 1.4.4 - The grana contain chlorophyll✓ - Many grana increase the surface area✓for the absorption of light energy - so that more photosynthesis can take place✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 1.5 1.5.1 (a) Lungs✓ (1) (b) Thoracic wall✓/rib cage/thoracic cavity wall (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Life Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines (c) Diaphragm✓ (1) 1.5.2 - The volume inside the bell jar increases✓ - so the pressure inside the bell jar decreases✓/becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure - Air moves in through the tube✓ - and the balloons/C inflate/expand✓ Any 3 (3) 1.5.3 - The bell jar is rigid and cannot move like the rib cage✓ - There are no intercostal muscles✓ - The balloons are hollow, not spongy/have no alveoli✓ - The rubber sheet is flat, while the diaphragm is dome-shaped at rest✓ - There is no pleural membrane/pleural fluid✓ - The balloons do not take part in gaseous exchange✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (8) 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) Light intensity✓/distance of the lamp from the plant (1) (b) Rate of photosynthesis✓/number of bubbles per minute (1) 2.1.2 - Temperature (of the water)/25 °C✓ - The same plant/type and size of the plant✓ - Amount of sodium hydrogen carbonate✓/carbon dioxide - Time allowed before counting/5 minutes✓ - Time over which bubbles were counted/1 minute✓ - No other light/dark room✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 2.1.3 To provide carbon dioxide✓for photosynthesis (1) 2.1.4 Oxygen✓ (1) 2.1.5 Number of bubbles released at different distances from the lamp Number of bubbles per minute 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 Distance of lamp from the plant (cm) 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): 1–4 points plotted correctly 1 All 5 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) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Life Sciences/P1 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.1.6 As the distance of the lamp from the plant increases✓, the rate of photosynthesis/number of bubbles decreases✓ OR As the light intensity increases✓, the rate of photosynthesis increases✓ (2) (14) 2.2 2.2.1 32 arbitrary units✓ (1) 2.2.2 Light intensity✓ (1) 2.2.3 - The carbon dioxide concentration✓ - has become the limiting factor✓/there is not enough carbon dioxide to use the extra light energy (2) 2.2.4 - Increase the carbon dioxide concentration in the greenhouse✓(e.g. by burning paraffin or releasing carbon dioxide gas) and/or provide more light - to increase the rate of photosynthesis✓ - so that more food/glucose is made and the plants produce more tomatoes✓ Any 2 (2) 2.2.5 - The enzymes that control photosynthesis✓ - are denatured✓at high temperatures - The stomata close✓to reduce water loss, so less carbon dioxide enters the leaf✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 2.3 2.3.1 (a) Glycolysis✓ (1) (b) Pyruvic acid✓/pyruvate (1) (c) Carbon dioxide✓/CO2 (1) 2.3.2 Mitochondrion✓ (1) 2.3.3 - Takes place on the cristae/inner membrane of the mitochondrion✓ - Hydrogen atoms/electrons from glycolysis and the Krebs cycle are passed along a chain of carriers✓ - The energy released is used to form ATP✓ - Oxygen is the final hydrogen acceptor✓ - and water is formed✓ - A large amount of ATP is produced✓ Any 3 (3) 2.3.4 - The muscles need a lot of energy✓ - The blood cannot supply enough oxygen✓to the muscle cells - so the muscle cells respire anaerobically✓ - and pyruvic acid is converted into lactic acid✓ Any 3 (3) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Life Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 2.3.5 - Baking bread✓– carbon dioxide makes the dough rise - Making beer/wine/sorghum beer✓– alcohol/ethanol is produced - Making yoghurt/cheese/amasi (maas)✓– lactic acid is produced Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (12) 2.4 2.4.1 To determine/show whether germinating seeds✓release heat energy during respiration✓ (2) 2.4.2 - To kill the seeds so that they cannot respire✓ - to act as a control✓/for comparison, to show that the heat is released by the living seeds (2) 2.4.3 To kill micro-organisms on the seeds, which would also respire and release heat✓ (1) 2.4.4 To insulate the seeds/to prevent heat loss✓so that the heat released can be measured (1) 2.4.5 (30 – 20) ÷ 20 × 100✓✓ = 50%✓ (3) 2.4.6 - The living/germinating seeds respire✓ - and some of the energy is released as heat✓, which increases the temperature (2) (11) 2.5 AEROBIC RESPIRATION ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION Requires oxygen Does not require oxygen Glucose is completely broken Glucose is partially broken down down End products are carbon End product is lactic acid dioxide and water Releases a large amount of Releases a small amount of energy/ATP energy/ATP Takes place in the cytoplasm Takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria only ✓✓ for each difference (Any 2 x 2) + table ✓ = 5 (Mark first TWO only) (5) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Life Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines QUESTION 3 3.1 3.1.1 (a) Epithelium✓/columnar epithelium (1) (b) Lacteal✓ (1) 3.1.2 (a) B✓ (1) (b) C✓ (1) 3.1.3 - The epithelium is thin/one cell thick✓so the distance for diffusion is short✓ - It has microvilli/is finger-shaped✓which increase the surface area for absorption✓ - It has a dense network of blood capillaries✓to transport the absorbed food away quickly/maintain a concentration gradient✓ - It has a lacteal✓to absorb fatty acids and glycerol✓ Any 2 x 2 (4) (8) 3.2 3.2.1 210 mg/dℓ✓ (1) 3.2.2 Q✓ (1) 3.2.3 - The blood glucose level of Q increases to very high levels✓/above 200 mg/dℓ - and does not return to normal✓/remains high after 2½ hours - Q’s fasting blood glucose level is already higher than normal✓ Any 2 (2) 3.2.4 - The high blood glucose level is detected by the islets of Langerhans✓in the pancreas - Insulin is secreted✓into the blood - Insulin stimulates the liver and muscle cells to convert excess glucose into glycogen✓ - and the body cells to take up more glucose✓from the blood - The blood glucose level decreases✓and returns to normal Any 4 (4) 3.2.5 - Eat less sugar/refined carbohydrates✓ - Exercise regularly✓ - Lose weight/maintain a healthy body mass✓ - Eat regular, balanced meals that are high in fibre✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) (10) 3.3 3.3.1 Kwashiorkor✓ (1) 3.3.2 Protein✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Life Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.3.3 - Swollen feet✓ - Thin arms and legs✓ - Dry, flaky skin✓ - Pale/discoloured hair✓ - Tiredness✓ - Often ill/low resistance to disease✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.3.4 - Beans/lentils/soya✓ - Eggs✓ - Milk/amasi (maas)✓ - Peanuts/peanut butter✓ - Tinned fish/pilchards✓ - Chicken/chicken livers/mopane worms✓ Any 2 (Mark first TWO only) (2) 3.3.5 - Proteins are needed for growth✓ - to build new cells and tissues/repair tissues✓ - to make enzymes/hormones/antibodies✓ Any 2 (2) (8) 3.4 3.4.1 (a) Oxygen✓ (1) (b) Carbon dioxide✓ (1) 3.4.2 Diffusion✓ (1) 3.4.3 As oxyhaemoglobin in the red blood cells✓/dissolved in the plasma (1) 3.4.4 - The increased carbon dioxide level is detected by receptors in the carotid artery✓/medulla oblongata - The breathing centre in the medulla oblongata is stimulated✓ - and sends impulses to the intercostal muscles and diaphragm✓ - which contract faster and more strongly✓ - so the rate and depth of breathing increase✓ - and more carbon dioxide is exhaled✓ Any 4 (4) 3.4.5 - The surface area for gaseous exchange is reduced✓ - so less oxygen diffuses into the blood✓ (2) (10) 3.5 3.5.1 (a) Bowman’s capsule✓ (1) (b) Loop of Henle✓ (1) 3.5.2 (a) C✓ (1) (b) F✓ (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Life Sciences/P1 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC – Marking Guidelines 3.5.3 - Protein molecules are too large✓ - to pass through the pores of the glomerulus/the filtration membrane✓ (2) 3.5.4 2,0 ÷ 0,03✓ = 66,67 times✓ (Accept 66,7 / 67) (2) 3.5.5 - Glucose molecules are small enough to be filtered✓into the Bowman’s capsule during ultrafiltration - but all the glucose is reabsorbed✓(by active transport) in the proximal convoluted tubule (2) 3.5.6 - The low water level is detected by the hypothalamus✓ - which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete more ADH✓ - ADH makes the walls of the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts more permeable to water✓ - More water is reabsorbed✓into the blood - A small volume of concentrated urine is produced✓ - The water level of the blood returns to normal✓ Any 4 (4) (14) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - [LIFE SCIENCES P1 MEMO GR11 NOV 2020 ENG](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11-life-sciences-2020-national-exemplar-november-exam-memorandum-paper-1-english/4be80ba9-620e-4bb0-a164-32a8e4a490f6) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2020 · Eng - [LIFE SCIENCES P1 MEMO GR11 NOV 2020 ENG D](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-11-life-sciences-2020-national-exemplar-november-exam-memorandum-paper-1-english/6cd43276-28e4-442a-b653-a59c059738ca) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2020 · Eng - [LIFE SCIENCES P1 MEMO GR11 NOV 2018 English](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-memo-gr11-nov-2018-english/c0369b9e-1cbf-4b20-aa0e-f5763f7e8b4a) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2018 · Eng - 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