Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 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 P2 MOCK EXAMINATION 2026 MARKS: 150 TIME: 2½ hours This question paper consists of 13 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 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/P2 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 nitrogenous base that is found in RNA but NOT in DNA is … A thymine. B uracil. C adenine. D cytosine. 1.1.2 A human cell has 46 chromosomes. How many chromatids are present in EACH cell during metaphase II of meiosis? A 23 B 92 C 46 D 69 1.1.3 A DNA molecule contains 30% adenine. What percentage of the nitrogenous bases in this molecule will be guanine? A 20% B 30% C 40% D 70% 1.1.4 Down syndrome is caused by … A a point mutation on the X-chromosome. B the absence of crossing over during prophase I. C a recessive allele on chromosome 21. D non-disjunction of chromosome pair 21 during meiosis. 1.1.5 Which ONE of the following statements describes Lamarck’s ‘law of use and disuse’? A Characteristics acquired during the lifetime of an organism are passed on to its offspring. B Structures that are used often become well developed, while structures that are not used degenerate. C Organisms produce more offspring than can survive in the environment. D Long periods of little change are interrupted by short periods of rapid change. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock QUESTIONS 1.1.6 AND 1.1.7 REFER TO THE PHYLOGENETIC TREE BELOW, WHICH SHOWS THE EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FIVE SPECIES (P, Q, R, S AND T). P Q S T 0 Millions of years ago 2 R 4 6 8 10 (0 = present) 1.1.6 Which TWO species share the most recent common ancestor? A S and T B P and Q C R and S D Q and R 1.1.7 Which species became extinct? A P B Q C R D T 1.1.8 A man with blood group AB and a woman with blood group O have children. Which ONE of the following shows ALL the possible blood groups of their children? A AB and O only B A, B, AB and O C AB only D A and B only 1.1.9 Which ONE of the following provides evidence for the ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis? A The oldest fossils of Homo sapiens have been found in Africa. B Fossils of Homo erectus have been found only in Asia. C Fossils of Australopithecus have been found on all the continents. D Mitochondrial DNA shows that all modern humans descended from a population in Europe. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.10 A colour-blind man and a woman who is homozygous for normal vision have a son. What is the probability that the son is colour-blind? A 25% B 0% C 50% D 100% (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 1.2.9) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 The process during which an mRNA molecule is formed from a DNA template 1.2.2 The process by which a DNA molecule makes an identical copy of itself 1.2.3 Chromosomes that do NOT determine the sex of an individual 1.2.4 The type of variation in which characteristics fall into distinct categories with no intermediate phenotypes 1.2.5 A group of organisms with similar characteristics that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring 1.2.6 The formation of a new species 1.2.7 The scientific study of fossils 1.2.8 The type of dominance in which both alleles are equally expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygous organism 1.2.9 A diagram that shows the inheritance of a characteristic over several generations of a family (9 x 1) (9) 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 Evidence that supports the ‘Out of A: Mitochondrial DNA Africa’ hypothesis B: Fossils 1.3.2 Takes place during prophase I of A: Crossing over meiosis B: Separation of chromatids 1.3.3 Produces offspring that are A: Meiosis genetically identical to the parent B: Sexual reproduction (3 x 2) (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.4 The diagrams below represent cells (A, B, C and D) of the same organism at different phases of meiosis. X A B Y C D 1.4.1 Identify the phase represented by diagram: (a) A (1) (b) C (1) 1.4.2 Give the LETTER of the diagram that shows: (a) Homologous chromosomes being separated (1) (b) Chromatids being pulled to opposite poles (1) 1.4.3 Identify part: (a) X (1) (b) Y (1) 1.4.4 Give the diploid number of this organism. (1) 1.4.5 How many chromosomes will be present in EACH cell at the end of meiosis II? (1) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.5 The diagram below represents a stage of protein synthesis. The table shows some mRNA codons and the amino acids for which they code. Y Z X mRNA A U G C C U A U G G C U U A C G G A U C A 1 2 3 4 5 mRNA CODON AMINO ACID AUG Methionine CCU Proline GCU Alanine GGA Glycine UAC Tyrosine UCA Serine CGA Arginine 1.5.1 Identify: (a) The stage of protein synthesis represented (1) (b) Molecule X (1) (c) Organelle Z (1) 1.5.2 Name the type of bond at Y. (1) 1.5.3 Give the anticodon that is complementary to codon 5. (1) 1.5.4 Give the sequence of nitrogenous bases on the DNA template strand that coded for codon 2. (1) 1.5.5 Use the table to name the amino acid coded for by codon 4. (1) (7) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 The diagram below represents a part of a DNA molecule. A T 1 G C 2 Y A C G G X 3 2.1.1 Identify part: (a) 2 (1) (b) 3 (1) 2.1.2 Name the nitrogenous base at: (a) X (1) (b) Y (1) 2.1.3 Name TWO places in an animal cell where DNA is found. (2) 2.1.4 Describe the process of DNA replication. (5) 2.1.5 State ONE reason why DNA replication is important. (1) (12) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2 Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. The table below shows the number of babies born with Down syndrome per 1 000 births for mothers of different ages. AGE OF MOTHER NUMBER OF BABIES BORN WITH (YEARS) DOWN SYNDROME PER 1 000 BIRTHS 20 0,7 25 0,8 30 1,1 35 2,8 40 10,0 45 33,0 [Data adapted from various sources] 2.2.1 Describe the relationship between the age of the mother and the number of babies born with Down syndrome. (2) 2.2.2 Calculate how many times more likely a 40-year-old mother is to have a baby with Down syndrome than a 25-year-old mother. Show ALL your working. (2) 2.2.3 Explain how non-disjunction during meiosis in the mother can result in a baby with Down syndrome. (4) 2.2.4 Draw a line graph to represent the data in the table. (6) (14) 2.3 In tomato plants the allele for red fruit (R) is dominant over the allele for yellow fruit (r), and the allele for tall stems (T) is dominant over the allele for dwarf stems (t). Plant 1, which is heterozygous for both characteristics, was crossed with plant 2. The Punnett square below shows the gametes of the parents and some of the offspring. Gametes RT Rt rT rt rT RrTT 1 rrTT rrTt rt RrTt Rrtt (3) rrTt 2 2.3.1 Name the type of cross shown above. (1) 2.3.2 Give the genotype of plant 2. (2) 2.3.3 Give the genotype of offspring: (a) 1 (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock (b) 2 (1) 2.3.4 Give the phenotype of offspring 3. (2) 2.3.5 Give the phenotypic ratio of the offspring. (2) 2.3.6 Name Mendel’s law that explains how plant 1 produces four types of gametes. (1) (10) 2.4 Haemophilia is a sex-linked disorder caused by a recessive allele (Xh ). The normal allele is represented by XH . The diagram below shows the inheritance of haemophilia in a family. KEY: Normal male 1 2 Male with haemophilia Normal female 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2.4.1 How many males in this family have haemophilia? (1) 2.4.2 Give the genotype of individual 1. (1) 2.4.3 Explain why individual 2 must be a carrier of haemophilia. (3) 2.4.4 What is the percentage chance that individual 8 is a carrier of haemophilia? (1) 2.4.5 Use a genetic cross to show the possible genotypes and phenotypes of the children of individuals 5 and 6. (6) 2.4.6 Explain why haemophilia is more common in males than in females. (2) (14) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock QUESTION 3 3.1 Malaria is spread by Anopheles mosquitoes. In some malaria areas of South Africa the walls of houses are sprayed with an insecticide to kill mosquitoes. Researchers collected mosquitoes from the same area every second year. Each sample was exposed to the same standard dose of the insecticide for one hour and the percentage of mosquitoes that survived after 24 hours was recorded. YEAR 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 MOSQUITOES THAT SURVIVED (%) 4 12 31 58 76 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.1.1 Identify the dependent variable in this investigation. (1) 3.1.2 Describe the trend shown by the results. (2) 3.1.3 Explain why the same dose of insecticide and the same exposure time were used every year. (2) 3.1.4 Use Darwin’s theory of natural selection to explain the change in the percentage of mosquitoes that survived. (6) 3.1.5 Suggest ONE way in which the development of resistance to the insecticide could be slowed down. (1) (12) 3.2 The diagrams below show how a new species of lizard formed on an island. mainland mainland mainland island island island sea sea sea Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3: Lizards live on the A few lizards are carried After many generations mainland only to the island on floating the island lizards look and vegetation during a storm behave differently 3.2.1 Name the type of speciation shown in the diagrams. (1) 3.2.2 Describe how the lizards on the island became a new species. (6) 3.2.3 State TWO reproductive isolating mechanisms that may now prevent the mainland and the island lizards from interbreeding. (2) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.3 The diagrams below represent the skulls of an African ape (skull A) and a modern human (skull B), drawn to the same scale. foramen magnum foramen magnum SKULL A SKULL B 3.3.1 Tabulate TWO visible differences between skull A and skull B. (5) 3.3.2 Explain the significance of the position of the foramen magnum in skull B. (2) 3.3.3 Name TWO characteristics, other than those visible in the skulls, that humans share with African apes. (2) (9) 3.4 The table below gives information about some hominid fossils. FOSSIL SPECIES LOCATION AGE (mya) Ardi Ardipithecus Ethiopia 4,4 ramidus Lucy Australopithecus Ethiopia 3,2 afarensis Taung Child Australopithecus Taung, South 2,5 africanus Africa Karabo Australopithecus Malapa, South 2,0 sediba Africa Drimolen skull Homo erectus Drimolen, South 2,0 Africa Dmanisi skulls Homo erectus Dmanisi, Georgia 1,8 Jebel Irhoud Homo sapiens Jebel Irhoud, 0,3 fossils Morocco mya = million years ago [Ages rounded; summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 3.4.1 How many genera are represented in the table? (1) 3.4.2 Name the species in the table that is the oldest. (1) 3.4.3 Name the species in the table that was the first to leave Africa. (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.4.4 Explain how the information in the table supports the ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis. (3) 3.4.5 Name the type of DNA that is used to trace female ancestry. (1) 3.4.6 Give ONE reason why the type of DNA named in QUESTION 3.4.5 is used to trace female ancestry. (1) (8) 3.5 Nguni cattle are an indigenous breed of South African cattle. Over many generations farmers have chosen to breed only from animals that show resistance to ticks and that can tolerate heat and drought. 3.5.1 Name the type of selection used by the farmers. (1) 3.5.2 Tabulate TWO differences between the type of selection named in QUESTION 3.5.1 and natural selection. (5) (6) 3.6 The diagrams below represent two models of the rate of evolution. Time Time Change in structure Change in structure DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 3.6.1 Which diagram (1 or 2) represents punctuated equilibrium? (1) 3.6.2 Describe punctuated equilibrium. (3) 3.6.3 Explain how the fossil record supports punctuated equilibrium. (2) (6) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved