Life Sciences Grade 12 P1 NSC November Mock 2026 QP (Eng)

Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 12 NSC Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 LIFE SCIENCES P1 MOCK EXAMINATION 2026 MARKS: 150 TIME: 2½ hours This question paper consists of 15 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 must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass, where necessary. 11. 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 part of the brain that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres is the … A cerebellum. B medulla oblongata. C corpus callosum. D hypothalamus. 1.1.2 Which ONE of the following shows the CORRECT sequence of the development of a human zygote? A Zygote → morula → blastocyst → embryo B Zygote → blastocyst → morula → embryo C Morula → zygote → blastocyst → embryo D Zygote → embryo → morula → blastocyst 1.1.3 The table below shows some reproductive features of four vertebrate animals. ANIMAL FERTILISATION WHERE THE MAIN EMBRYO SOURCE OF DEVELOPS NUTRITION W External In an egg in water Yolk X Internal In the uterus Placenta Y Internal In an egg laid in a Yolk nest Z Internal In an egg Yolk retained inside the female’s body Which ONE of the animals is ovoviviparous? A W B X C Y D Z Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.4 Which ONE of the following is CORRECT for the pupillary mechanism when a person moves from a dark room into bright sunlight? RADIAL CIRCULAR PUPIL MUSCLES MUSCLES A Contract Relax Dilates B Relax Contract Constricts C Contract Contract Constricts D Relax Relax Dilates QUESTIONS 1.1.5 AND 1.1.6 ARE BASED ON THE DIAGRAM BELOW, WHICH SHOWS A HUMAN FOETUS INSIDE THE UTERUS. R P Q S 1.1.5 Which part protects the foetus against mechanical injury? A P B Q C R D S 1.1.6 Which ONE of the following is CORRECT for the blood vessels found in part Q? UMBILICAL ARTERY UMBILICAL VEIN A Carries deoxygenated blood Carries oxygenated blood to away from the foetus the foetus B Carries oxygenated blood Carries deoxygenated blood away from the foetus to the foetus C Carries oxygenated blood to Carries deoxygenated blood the foetus away from the foetus D Carries deoxygenated blood Carries oxygenated blood to the foetus away from the foetus Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.7 The following are changes that may take place in the human body: (i) Increased heart rate (ii) Dilation of the pupils (iii) Increased peristalsis (iv) Dilation of the bronchioles Which ONE of the following combinations is caused by the sympathetic nervous system? A (i) and (iii) only B (ii) and (iii) only C (i), (ii) and (iii) only D (i), (ii) and (iv) only 1.1.8 When a seedling is placed horizontally, auxins accumulate on the lower side of the root. This causes the root to bend downwards because the auxins … A inhibit cell elongation on the lower side of the root. B stimulate cell elongation on the lower side of the root. C inhibit cell elongation on the upper side of the root. D stimulate cell division on the lower side of the root. 1.1.9 The blood glucose level of a person increases to 160 mg/dℓ shortly after a meal. Which ONE of the following will take place? A Glucagon is secreted and glycogen is converted to glucose. B Glucagon is secreted and glucose is converted to glycogen. C Insulin is secreted and glucose is converted to glycogen. D Insulin is secreted and glycogen is converted to glucose. 1.1.10 Which ONE of the following shows the CORRECT pathway of sound from the outside to the inner ear? A Pinna → tympanic membrane → oval window → ossicles → cochlea B Auditory canal → tympanic membrane → ossicles → oval window → cochlea C Auditory canal → ossicles → tympanic membrane → round window → cochlea D Tympanic membrane → auditory canal → ossicles → oval window → semicircular canals (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 1.2.8) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 The hormone that stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk 1.2.2 The structure in the cochlea that converts pressure waves into nerve impulses Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.2.3 The fusion of a haploid sperm with a haploid ovum to form a diploid zygote 1.2.4 The type of development in birds where the hatchlings are well developed and can move about and feed themselves soon after hatching 1.2.5 The protective membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord 1.2.6 The growth movement of a plant part in response to unilateral light 1.2.7 The eye defect in which the image of a distant object is focused in front of the retina 1.2.8 The hormone that regulates the salt balance in the blood (8 x 1) (8) 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 Hormone(s) secreted by the A: TSH pituitary gland B: FSH 1.3.2 Transmits impulses away from A: Sensory neuron the central nervous system B: Motor neuron 1.3.3 A plant hormone that promotes A: Gibberellins apical dominance B: Abscisic acid (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 The diagram below represents a section through the human eye. D C B A E optic nerve G F 1.4.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock (b) B (1) (c) C (1) 1.4.2 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Contains the photoreceptors (1) (b) Regulates the amount of light entering the eye (1) (c) Absorbs excess light to prevent reflection inside the eye (1) 1.4.3 Explain why an image that falls on part F will NOT be seen. (2) (8) 1.5 The diagram below represents events that take place in a human ovary. B C A D 1.5.1 Identify structure: (a) B (1) (b) D (1) 1.5.2 Name the process taking place at C. (1) 1.5.3 Name the hormone that stimulates the process named in QUESTION 1.5.2. (1) 1.5.4 Name the hormone that stimulates the development of A into B. (1) 1.5.5 Name the hormone secreted by D. (1) 1.5.6 State what will happen to D if fertilisation does NOT take place. (1) 1.5.7 Give the LETTER of the structure that secretes oestrogen. (1) (8) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 Read the extract below. The southern foam nest frog is found in the warm north-eastern parts of South Africa. During the rainy season a female climbs onto a branch that hangs over a pool of water. She releases a fluid which she and one or more males beat with their hind legs into a white foam nest. The female lays several hundred eggs into the foam and the males release sperm over the eggs. The outer layer of the foam hardens into a crust, while the inside stays moist. A few days later the tadpoles wriggle out of the bottom of the nest and drop into the water below, where they complete their development. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 2.1.1 Name the type of fertilisation in the southern foam nest frog. (1) 2.1.2 Give ONE reason from the extract for your answer to QUESTION 2.1.1. (1) 2.1.3 Name the reproductive strategy in which the eggs develop outside the body of the female. (1) 2.1.4 Explain how the foam nest increases the chances of survival of the offspring. (2) 2.1.5 Explain why it is necessary for the frog to produce such a large number of eggs. (2) (7) 2.2 The diagram below represents a human sperm cell. A B C D 2.2.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) 2.2.2 Explain how EACH of the following parts is suited for the function of the sperm: (a) A (2) (b) C (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2.3 Describe the path followed by the sperm from where it is produced in the testis to where it leaves the body of the male. (4) (10) 2.3 The graph below shows the levels of two ovarian hormones, X and Y, in the blood of a woman during one menstrual cycle. Levels of ovarian hormones during the menstrual cycle 10 Hormone level (arbitrary units) X Y 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 Day of the menstrual cycle 2.3.1 On which day did ovulation most likely take place? (1) 2.3.2 Identify hormone: (a) X (1) (b) Y (1) 2.3.3 Explain the high level of hormone Y between day 18 and day 24. (2) 2.3.4 Explain the effect of the high level of hormone Y on the secretion of FSH, and the significance of this effect. (3) 2.3.5 Explain how the information in the graph shows that the woman did NOT become pregnant during this cycle. (2) (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.4 An investigation was done to determine the effect of the environmental temperature on the volume of sweat produced during exercise. The procedure was as follows: • Ten healthy male athletes, all 18 years old and of similar body mass, took part. • Each athlete cycled at the same intensity for 30 minutes in a room where the temperature was kept at 20 °C. • Each athlete was weighed before and after cycling and the volume of sweat lost was calculated from the loss in body mass. • The athletes were not allowed to drink any liquids during the 30 minutes. • The procedure was repeated on different days at 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C and 40 °C. • The average volume of sweat lost by the athletes was calculated for each temperature. The results are shown in the table below. TEMPERATURE (°C) AVERAGE VOLUME OF SWEAT LOST (mℓ) 20 250 25 380 30 560 35 740 40 900 [Data: examiner’s own] 2.4.1 Identify the: (a) Independent variable (1) (b) Dependent variable (1) 2.4.2 State TWO variables that were kept constant in this investigation. (2) 2.4.3 Explain why the investigators used ten athletes instead of only one. (1) 2.4.4 Draw a line graph to show the results of this investigation. (6) 2.4.5 Explain how the increase in the volume of sweat helps to regulate the body temperature of the athletes. (3) (14) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.5 The diagram below represents the structure of an amniotic egg. C A E B F D 2.5.1 Identify part: (a) C (1) (b) D (1) (c) F (1) 2.5.2 Give the LETTER of the part that stores nitrogenous waste. (1) 2.5.3 State the function of part B. (1) 2.5.4 Explain how part A is suited for the development of the embryo on land. (2) 2.5.5 Name TWO groups of vertebrates that produce amniotic eggs. (2) (9) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock QUESTION 3 3.1 The diagram below represents the structures involved in a reflex arc. B A C F D E 3.1.1 Identify part: (a) B (1) (b) C (1) (c) F (1) 3.1.2 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Converts a stimulus into an impulse (1) (b) Carries impulses to the effector (1) 3.1.3 Explain the importance of a reflex action. (2) 3.1.4 A person’s neuron D was damaged in an accident. Explain why this person would feel pain when touching a hot object, but would NOT be able to pull the hand away. (3) (10) 3.2 Read the extract below. MIDDLE EAR INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN Middle ear infections are common in young children. During an infection the Eustachian tube may become blocked and fluid builds up in the middle ear. The pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane is no longer equal. If a child has repeated infections, a doctor may insert a grommet. A grommet is a very small tube that is placed through the tympanic membrane. It allows air to enter the middle ear and fluid to drain out. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.2.1 State the function of the Eustachian tube. (1) 3.2.2 Explain how a build-up of fluid in the middle ear may lead to a loss of hearing. (3) 3.2.3 Explain how a grommet helps to restore hearing. (2) 3.2.4 Describe how the stimulation of the cochlea results in hearing. (4) (10) 3.3 An investigation was done to determine the effect of drinking water on the volume of urine produced. Five volunteers (Group 1) each drank 1 litre of water and five other volunteers (Group 2) each drank 1 litre of an isotonic sports drink. The volume of urine produced by each volunteer was measured every 30 minutes for 3 hours. The results are shown in the graph below. Average volume of urine produced after drinking 350 Average volume of urine (mℓ) Group 1 (water) 300 Group 2 (sports drink) 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 Time after drinking (minutes) [Data: examiner’s own] 3.3.1 At what time was the volume of urine produced by Group 1 the highest? (1) 3.3.2 Calculate how many times more urine Group 1 produced than Group 2 at 60 minutes. Show ALL your working. (2) 3.3.3 Explain the change in the volume of urine produced by Group 1 between 0 and 60 minutes. (4) 3.3.4 Name the gland that secretes the hormone that regulates the water balance in the body. (1) 3.3.5 State the purpose of Group 2 in this investigation. (1) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 14 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.4 The diagram below shows how light rays from a distant object pass through the eye of a person with an eye defect. light from a retina distant object point where the image is formed 3.4.1 Name the eye defect shown in the diagram. (1) 3.4.2 Give ONE visible reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.4.1. (1) 3.4.3 Name the type of lens that is used to correct this defect. (1) 3.4.4 Describe how the eye accommodates to see an object that is close to the eye. (5) (8) 3.5 An investigation was done to determine the effect of different concentrations of gibberellic acid (a gibberellin) on the growth of the stems of dwarf pea plants. The procedure was as follows: • Fifty dwarf pea seedlings of the same height were divided into five groups of ten. • The seedlings were planted in pots containing the same type and amount of soil. • Each group was sprayed once a day with 5 mℓ of gibberellic acid solution of a different concentration. One group was sprayed with distilled water only (0 mg/ℓ). • All the plants were kept in the same greenhouse and were given the same amount of water. • After 21 days the length of the stem of each plant was measured and the average stem length was calculated for each group. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 15 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock The results are shown in the table below. CONCENTRATION OF AVERAGE STEM GIBBERELLIC ACID (mg/ℓ) LENGTH (cm) 0 8,2 10 12,6 20 17,4 40 23,1 80 23,4 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.5.1 Identify the independent variable. (1) 3.5.2 State TWO variables that were kept constant in this investigation. (2) 3.5.3 Explain the purpose of the group that was sprayed with distilled water only. (2) 3.5.4 Calculate the percentage increase in the average stem length when the concentration increased from 0 mg/ℓ to 40 mg/ℓ. Show ALL your working. (3) 3.5.5 Explain why dwarf pea plants, rather than tall pea plants, were used in this investigation. (1) 3.5.6 State a conclusion for this investigation. (2) 3.5.7 State TWO other functions of gibberellins in plants. (2) (13) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved