NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
JUNE EXAMINATION 2016
LIFE SCIENCES
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
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Life Sciences Grade 12 EC June 2016 Question Paper (English)
Grade 12 Life Sciences question paper from the EC June 2016 (English), 18 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, memo linked when available.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · EC June · 2016. Question paper, 18 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2016
- Exam period
- EC June
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 18
- File size
- 1.1 MB
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2 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.
3. Start the answer 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. Write neatly and legibly.
12. Round off all calculations to two decimals after the comma.
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 3
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A‒D) next to the question
numbers (1.1.1‒1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 The monomers of proteins are …
A amino acids.
B nucleotides.
C glucose.
D fatty acids.
1.1.2 When blood sugar level rises in the human body, the pancreas
responds by secreting …
A glycogen.
B glucagon.
C adrenalin.
D insulin.
1.1.3 Nerve cells that transmit impulses to the brain and spinal cord, are
called …
A motor neurons.
B reflex arcs.
C sensory neurons.
D efferent neurons.
1.1.4 The physiological connection between the axon of one neuron and the
dendrite of another is a/the …
A ganglion.
B synapse.
C capillary network.
D cell body.
1.1.5 The plant hormone that brings about elongation of internodes of stem is
…
A auxins.
B abscisic acid.
C gibberellins.
D acetic acid.
4 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
1.1.6 The diagram below shows the offspring which result from the mating of a
black and white rabbit. The allele for black fur is dominant over the
allele for white fur. The percentage of heterozygous offspring produced
in this generation would be …
A 25
B 100
C 50
D 75
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 5
1.1.7 Malfunctioning of which endocrine gland causes the disorder shown in
the picture below?
A Adrenal gland
B Pituitary gland
C Pancreas
D Thyroid gland
1.1.8 The autonomic nervous system …
A shuts down homeostasis.
B consists of sympathetic and para-sympathetic systems.
C controls voluntary activities.
D functions independently of the central nervous system.
6 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
1.1.9 Which one of the following descriptions correctly represent the
reproductive strategy shown in the diagram below?
A Precocial development Able to feed themselves
B Altricial development Unable to feed themselves
C Precocial development Bodies covered with soft feathers
D Altricial development Independent of their parents
(9 x 2) (18)
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1‒1.2.7) in ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 A disorder of the eye which occurs when the lens becomes opaque and
cloudy resulting in partial or no vision
1.2.2 Receptors for balance found within the ampullae of the semi-circular
canals
1.2.3 Alternate forms of a gene that control the same characteristic but in
different ways
1.2.4 Undifferentiated embryonic cells with a potential to become any tissue
or organ in the body
1.2.5 Hormone responsible for apical dominance in plants
1.2.6 Gland that secretes FSH and LH in females
1.2.7 The cells that secrete testosterone in males (7 x 1) (7)
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 7
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements in COLUMN Ɩ applies to A ONLY, B ONLY,
BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN ƖƖ. Write A only, B only, both A and
B, or none next to the question number (1.3.1‒1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.3.1 An inheritance in which none of the A: Incomplete dominance
alleles is dominant B: Co-dominance
1.3.2 A growth movement in response to A: Geotropism
gravity B: Phototropism
1.3.3 Sex-linked disorder A: Sickle cell anaemia
B: Down syndrome
1.3.4 A method of reproduction in which A: Ovipary
eggs are laid and development of
these eggs takes place outside the B: Vivipary
mother’s body
1.3.5 Stores waste produced by the A: Chorion
embryo B: Allantois
1.3.6 Corrective measure for myopia A: Concave lens
(short sightedness) B: Convex lens
(6 x 2) (12)
1.4 In rabbits, grey hair is dominant to white hair and black eyes are dominant to red eyes.
These letters below represent the genotypes of some rabbits:
GG – Grey hair BB – Black eyes
Gg – Grey hair Bb – Black eyes
gg – White hair bb – Red eyes
1.4.1 What are the phenotypes of the rabbits that have the following genotypes?
(a) Ggbb (1)
(b) ggBB (1)
(c) ggbb (1)
(d) GgBb (1)
8 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
1.4.2 A male rabbit with the genotype GGbb is crossed with a female rabbit with the
genotype ggBb. The punnet square is set out below:
Gb Gb Gb Gb
gB GgBb GgBb GgBb GgBb
gb Ggbb Ggbb Ggbb Ggbb
gB GgBb GgBb GgBb GgBb
gb Ggbb Ggbb Ggbb Ggbb
How many out of the 16 offspring have:
(a) Grey fur and black eyes (1)
(b) Grey fur and red eyes (1)
(c) White fur and black eyes (1)
(d) White fur and red eyes (1)
1.5 The diagram below illustrates a homeostatic process to restore the correct level of
water in the blood. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.
1.5.1 (a) Does the volume of water in the blood at A increase or decrease? (1)
(b) Identify the gland labelled B. (1)
(c) Name the hormone C. (1)
(d) In which specific part of organ D does the reabsorption of water take
place? (1)
(e) What quantity of water E is lost in urine? (more / less) (1)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 9
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Study figures 1 and 2 below and answer the questions that follow.
2.1.1 Identify the processes shown in figures 1 and 2. (2)
2.1.2 Which ONE of the processes shown in figures 1 and 2 takes place before
cell division starts? (1)
2.1.3 Predict the result if the process mentioned in QUESTION 2.1.2 does not
take place. (2)
2.1.4 Sometimes ‘errors’/ mistakes happen in both processes. What is the
specific name for this error? (1)
2.1.5 State any TWO causes of the error mentioned in QUESTION 2.1.4. (2)
10 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
Study the table below and answer the following questions.
t RNA Amino acid
CAC Valine
UGA Threonine
UAA Isoleucine
CCC Glycine
ACC Tryptophan
GUC Glutamine
GUG Histidine
At the end of the process shown in FIGURE 2, three amino acids are formed as
shown below:
Glutamine ‒ Histidine ‒ Valine
2.1.6 By referring to the table above, write, from left to right, the correct base
sequence of codons 1 to 6. (6)
2.1.7 DNA profiling is used in forensic investigations worldwide. However, some
people argue that it is NOT always reliable. State TWO reasons for their
argument. (2)
2.1.8 List TWO sources of DNA evidence in a crime scene. (2)
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 11
2.2 The diagram below shows a biotechnology research project to improve quality of
sheep. Study the diagram and answer the questions.
2.2.1 Identify the biotechnological process represented in the above diagram. (1)
2.2.2 Describe the process mentioned in QUESTION 2.2.1. (5)
2.2.3 Does sheep X inherit desired characteristics from Sheep A or B? (1)
2.2.4 Explain your answer in QUESTION 2.2.3. (2)
12 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
2.3 Research was conducted to investigate the effect of blood alcohol level of a driver on
the reaction time. (Reaction time: time taken to respond to an external stimulus.) The
researcher measured the reaction time of six volunteers who were given different
amounts of alcohol. The result of the investigation is given below. Study the
information and answer the questions.
BLOOD ALCOHOL REACTION TIME (SECONDS)
CONCENTRATION
(%)
0,08 0,32
0,10 0,38
0,12 0,44
0,14 0,50
0,16 0,56
0,18 0,62
2.3.1 Identify the independent variable in this investigation. (1)
2.3.2 Suggest a control for this investigation. (1)
2.3.3 State TWO ways each to improve the:
(a) Validity and (2)
(b) Reliability of the investigation (2)
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 13
The diagram below illustrates how a normal driver applies brakes when he sees and
an obstacle on the road. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.
2.3.4 Identify the parts labelled A and B. (2)
2.3.5 By referring to the diagram, explain how driving under the influence of
alcohol may increase the reaction time of a driver. (5)
[40]
14 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
QUESTION 3
3.1 Study the graphical representation of a normal menstrual cycle and answer the
questions.
3.1.1 Name the source of the hormones below:
(a) Oestrogen and (1)
(b) Progesterone (1)
3.1.2 Describe the effect on the uterine wall when there is …
(a) an increase in the level of oestrogen between day 4 and 14. (2)
(b) a drop in the level of progesterone (2)
3.1.3 What possible conclusion can be drawn if the progesterone level remains
high after the 28th day of the cycle? (1)
3.1.4 Explain why the insertion of IUD (Intra Uterine Device) into the uterus does
not stop the occurrence menstrual cycle but prevents pregnancy. (2)
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 15
3.2 Study the diagram below and answer the questions.
3.2.1 Identify parts:
(a) A
(b) B and
(c) D (3)
3.2.2 Explain why the premature breaking of the part labelled C is regarded as
fatal or life threatening to the survival of the foetus. (3)
3.2.3 Which one of the labelled part is responsible for the production of
progesterone? (1)
3.2.4 Describe how exchange of nutrients, waste products and gases takes
place between the mother and the foetus even though the mother’s blood
does not mix with the foetu’s blood. (4)
16 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
3.3 The diagram below illustrates a phase in meiosis. One of the chromosomes has
failed to separate due to a malfunction. Study the diagram and answer the
questions that follow:
3.3.1 Identify the phase of meiosis illustrated above. (1)
3.3.2 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.3.1. (2)
3.3.3 Name the error occurred during the above phase of meiosis. (1)
3.3.4 Draw a diagram of the cell above as it would appear during metaphase 1. (4)
3.4 Study the extract below and answer the questions.
In his latest budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that a
sugar tax will be levied with effect from 1 April 2017. Although, the manufacturers
are taxed, the new tax proposal aims at generating additional funds towards
improving the quality of health care. Its main goal is to reduce public consumption
of sugar per day through price increase. The fund generated could be used to
support programs and research designed to reduce human and economic costs of
diabetes.
[Adapted from article: http://www.supermarket.co.za/news-article]
3.4.1 State TWO objectives of the sugar tax proposed for 2017. (2)
3.4.2 Diabetes is one of the health concerns highlighted in the extract. Describe
how diabetes could adversely affect the productivity of labour as well as
the economy of South Africa. (2)
(EC/JUNE 2016) LIFE SCIENCES 17
3.5 The diagrams below illustrate how a human eye accommodates distant and near
vision. Study them and answer the questions.
3.5.1 Which lens (A or B) is adjusted to accommodate distant vision? (1)
3.5.2 Which numbered part regulates the amount of light entering the eye? (1)
3.5.3 Which part can be damaged permanently if laser beams are directed
into the eye? (1)
3.5.4 Explain how the changes from A to B were brought about. (5)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
18 LIFE SCIENCES (EC/JUNE 2016)
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
4.1 Both humans and plants are able to respond to external stimuli. Hearing occurs
in humans followed by instant turning of the head to inspect the source of sound.
Describe how this process occurs in humans. In your essay also describe how
plants respond to unilateral light stimulus.
Content: 17
Synthesis: 3
TOTAL SECTION C: 20
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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