# Life Sciences Grade 10 September Test 2016 Paper & Memo

> Grade 10 Life Sciences question paper and memo from the September Test 2016, 10 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/lfsc-sept-qp-memo-2016-gr10/7ba44a1e-13b9-4e67-acaa-2d68ab0f025b
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Life Sciences
- Grade: Grade 10
- Document type: Question paper and memo
- Year: 2016
- Exam period: September Test
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 10

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## About this document

Life Sciences · Grade 10 · September Test · 2016. Question paper and memorandum, 10 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.

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Life Sciences

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NSC

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.

1.

2.

10.

41.

Answer ALL the questions.
Write ALL the answers in the ANSWER BOOK.
Start the answers to EACH question at the top of a NEW page.

Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper. °

Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.
ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.
Draw diagrams, flow charts or tables only when asked to do so,

The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
Do NOT use graph paper.

You must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and compass,
where necessary.

Write neatly and legibly.

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er 2016 Common Test

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" Life Sciences

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SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions.

Choose the answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question
number (1.1.1 to 1.1.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.6 D.

1.4.1

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Which of the following is a biotic component?

A Soil
B Animals
Cc Water

BD - Temperature
Study the events listed below.

(i) Carbon becomes part of glucose and then other organic compounds
(i) Animals feed on piants to obtain organic compounds

(iii) Inorganic compounds release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
(iv) Animals release CQz during cellular respiration

Which ONE of the following combinations of events occurs during
the carbon cycle?

A (i), (il), (ii) and (iv)
B (i) and (ii) only

C (i, (ii) and (ii) only
D (i, (ii) and (iv) only

The table below shows a part of an ecological study of the biomass of
organisms in a community.

ORGANISM _| BIOMASS (kg)
Ww. 120

Xx 90

Y 2000

Zz 21

Which one of the following would be a probable food chain in a balanced
ecosystem?

A WAX 7Y -Z
B YrWX-Z
C YrX WZ
D Z7-X+W-Y

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1.1.4 Study the characteristics listed below.

(i)

(ii)
(ii)
(iv)

Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
Cells with cell wall

Able to locomote

The presence of nerve cells

Which ONE of the following combinations of characteristics
applies to Animalia?

A
B
Cc
D

(ii) and (ii) only
(il) and (iv) only
(i), (iii) and (iv) only
(ii), (iii) and (iv) only

41.1.5 Which one of the following is the correct order for classifying an organism?

gpoOuU>

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Kingdom, phylum, class, genus, species
Kingdom, class, genus, species, phylum
Phylum, species, class, genus, kingdom
Class, phylum, genus, species, kingdom

(5x2) (10)
TOTAL. SECTION A: 10

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Life Sciences

SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 The table below shows the abundance of different organisms in various regions
in KZN.
Number of different organisms |
Regions | Mammals | Reptiles | Plants Birds
Durban 140 65 4050 76 |
Bulwer 110 68 7852 84
Kokstad 90 54 5020 66 |
Nkandla 82 88 5162 40
2.1.1 State TWO kingdoms that are not represented in the table above. (2)
; 2.1.2 What percentage of the mammals are found in the Nkandla region. |
i Show all working. 3)
(5)

2.2 A farmer collected three soil samples, (X, Y and Z) from different places in a farm.
Each sample was analysed for the following properties: humus content, water
retention and drainage rate of water.

The graph below shows the results obtained.

80
704
60. Key:

504 =| Humus

a Water retention

Ql Drainage

Different properties (%}
® 2B
6 6

o

Sample X Sample ¥ Sample Z
2.2.1 Provide a suitable caption for the above graph. (2)
2.2.2 State TWO ways of ensuring reliable results. (2)
2.2.3 State ONE reason why plants will dry up the fastest when grown in |
sample X. (1)
2.24  Tabulate TWO differences between the characteristics of sample Y |
and sample Z that makes sample Y better for plant growth. (5)
(10) |
[15]

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Life Sciences

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QUESTION 3

3.1 The table below shows the results of a study that investigated the effect of
different temperatures and levels of light on the growth of tomatoes. The amount
of tomatoes produced by each plant is called the yield. In this example the yield is
measured in kilograms of tomatoes. The yield of each plant was measured at different
temperatures and light levels.

3.1.1

3.1.2

3.1.4

Yield per plant
Day Temperature (kg)
(°C) Low light High light
levels levels
5 0,5 0,5
10 1.2 1.4
15 3.2 5.0
20 34 : 8.5
25 3,5 7,8
30 25 6.2 (

What information can you deduce about the conditions that give the highest
yield of tomatoes? (2)

Why do you think there was hardly any change in yield between 15°C and 25°C
when the plants were grown at low light levels? (2)

Light and temperature are abiotic factors that influence the growth of tomatoes.
State TWO other abiotic factors that could influence the growth of tomato plants.

(2)
Explain why plants growing on north facing slopes in South Africa generally have
leaves with thick cuticles. (2)
(8) (

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"Life Sciences

3.2 Read the passage below and answer the questions set.

The floristic kingdom is unique with a thick cuticle. It is found in the south west
coast of the Northern Cape Province. This plant is able to withstand a winter
rainfall and extremely dry summers.

The south-west coast of the Northern Cape Province consists of sandy soil.
This area needs to be protected against human impact in order to conserve
this endemic plant species. This area may benefit local communities, tourists

and environment.

3.2.1. What is meant by endemic?
3.2.2 State which TWO parties can benefit by conserving the floristic kingdom.

3.2.3. What plant and environmental features allow you to deduce that
the floristic kingdom are suited as xerophytes?

TOTAL SECTION B:

SECTION C
QUESTION 4

Below is a food chain that exists ina pond ecosystem.

{ }Pondweed > tadpole > eel > bird

Describe the water cycle showing how it maintains the level of water in the pond and
explain the effect on the food chain if pesticides from a nearby farm wash into the pond

during heavy rains.

Content:
Synthesis:

NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow charts, tables or
diagrams.

TOTAL SECTION C:
GRAND TOTAL:

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(2)
(2)
m
[15]
30

(17)
(3)
(20)

20
60

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Life Sciences - Grade 10 3

NSC - Memorandum
QUESTION 3
3A

3.1.1. High light’ and a temperature of 20°CY

3.1.2 - Light was a limiting factory
- decreasing the rate of photosynthesisw
3.1.3. - Soil” e *
~ Water” Sst a
-Windv Oe
- Altitudey Goscs
- Aspect““/slope

(Mark first TWO only)
3.1.4 - High amount of heatw

Less water available in solv “Ay Seif
- Cuticles reduce water loss/conserve water”

3.2

. id

September 2016 Common Test

(2)
@)
Any (2)
Any (2)
(8)

3.2.1 Organisms that occur in a particular area’ and nowhere esev/een by (2)

3.2.2 - Local communities”
- Tourists”
(Mark first TWO oniy)

3.2.3 - Adapted fo live in dry areasv
- Has thick cuticle”
- Can live in sandy soilv

drag, abdy Surnness [dover sesh @

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(3)

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ife Sciences ~ Grade 10

SECTION C

QUESTION 4

wos
Water oer dow

4
NSC ~ Memorandum

~ increased heat energy from the sun”

———

- Causes evaporation of ygtery Cust ear &
- from ponds to the atmospherey ach Gee

-» Plant roots absorb water from soil”

- Water from plants is lost by transpiration”
- through their leaves”

- Animals drink water from ponds

- They also lose water vapour through SweatingY

Ai paces saturated with water vapour”

vohor Air tise’

and cools”

~" Water vapour condensesY

- It forms clouds”

- Clouds release water when it rains~/precip!
- Rain in the ground runs off into the ponds again’

Effects of pesticides on food chain

~ Pesticides pollute waterv//off ech equ tdi, /

-  Itpoisons aquatic animalsv,/ i, So Louw
- Tadpoles may diew

- Leading to death of eelsv”

- - » Due to shortage of foodY
- The ee! population decreases”
- Birds may also die~

- due to increased competition for the

- Some birds migrate” to look for food
- Bird population decreases”

~ Pondweeds grow excessiveiyy

- since they have no consumers”

- Disturbance of food chain occursv
——

ASSESSING THE PRESENTATION OF THE ESSAY

ited eels“ food

Vinee amb ees

September 2016 Common Test

apo

Any (8)

Cp oS

45

Any (8)

Content (17)
Synthesis (3)
[20]

RELEVANCE

LOGICAL SEQUENCE

COMPREHENSIVE,

All information provided is
relevant to the topic

Ideas arranged in a logical’ | Answered ail aspects required by the essay
in sufficient detail

cause-effect sequence

All information is relevant
to water cycle and effect of
pesticides

Correct Sequence of events

‘ At least (8) points on weter cycle: (5) points
in water cycle and Cus | on the effect of pesticides on food chain

effect of pesticides

‘mark

T mark

Tmark

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TOTAL SECTION C: 20
GRAND TOTAL: 60

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