# Life Sciences Grade 12 KZN March 2020 Paper & Memo > Grade 12 Life Sciences question paper and memo from the KZN March 2020, 14 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sc-march-qp-and-memo-2020-gr12/9871b4a5-eae8-45c6-9165-bec1a1749613 - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: Life Sciences - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Question paper and memo - Year: 2020 - Exam period: KZN March - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 14 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/life-sciences) › [Life Sciences Grade 12 KZN March 2020 Paper & Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sc-march-qp-and-memo-2020-gr12/9871b4a5-eae8-45c6-9165-bec1a1749613) ## About this document Life Sciences · Grade 12 · KZN March · 2020. Question paper and memorandum, 14 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 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Education KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 LIFE SCIENCES PROVINCIAL COMMON TEST MARCH 2020 MARKS: 60 TIME: 1 hour This question paper consists of 9 pages. ### Page 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 2 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 may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass. 11. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 3 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 number (1.1.1 to 1.1.3) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.4 D. 1.1.1 The process where one DNA molecule produces two identical DNA molecules is called … A reproduction. B translation. C replication. D protein synthesis. 1.1.2 Study the table below that shows the success rate in solving criminal cases. SUCCESS RATE IN SOLVING SUSPECTS CRIMINALCASES (%) TRADITIONAL DNA PROFILING METHOD Identified 14 44 Prosecuted 8 24 Arrested 14 30 A possible conclusion from this table is that … A more suspects have been prosecuted by using traditional method. B more suspects have been identified by using traditional method. C more suspects have been prosecuted than arrested by using traditional method. D more suspects have been identified and arrested by using DNA profiling. Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 4 1.1.3 Study the diagrams below. 4 2 5 1 3 6 Which ONE of the following combinations matches the labels with their correct function? A 5 - transports sperm cells from the epididymis, 2 – attachment of embryo B 3 - sperm cells are deposited, 6 - sperm cells are stored C 4 - provides nutrients for sperm cells, 1 – produce ova D 2 - fertilisation occurs, 6 – sperm cells mature (3 x 2) (6) 1.2 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 number (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK. COLUMN I COLUMN II 1.2.1 Involved in the prevention of A: Chorion mechanical injuries in an amniotic egg B: Amnion 1.2.2 Foetus is attached to the mother’s A: Vivipary uterus B: Ovovivipary (2 x 2) (4) TOTAL SECTION A: 10 Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 5 SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 The diagram below represents a phase of meiosis. A X B 2.1.1 Identify: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) 2.1.2 Identify the phase of meiosis represented in the diagram above. (1) 2.1.3 Describe the process responsible for the appearance of the chromosomes as shown in region X. (4) 2.1.4 State TWO significance of meiosis. (2) (9) Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 6 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 6 2.2 The diagram below shows the human karyotype. A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2.2.1 State the correct biological term for the chromosome pair number 23. (1) 2.2.2 Identify A in the diagram. (1) 2.2.3 Explain the consequence if chromosome pair number 21 in a human cell fails to separate during meiosis. (4) (6) [15] TOTAL SECTION B: 30 Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 7 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 7 QUESTION 3 3.1 The diagram below shows some codons of mRNA together with their corresponding amino acids. AAA UCA CUG CAA UGG CUA UGU UAC Phe Ser Asp Val Thr Asp Ser Met The base sequence of a section of tRNA used during translation is shown below. GUU AGU ACC ACA AUG UUU 1 2 3 4 5 6 3.1.1 How many different types of amino acids are required for the above tRNA strand during translation? (1) 3.1.2 Write down the complementary base sequence of the DNA strand that formed anticodon 5 of the tRNA. (1) 3.1.3 Explain the effect on the composition of the protein molecule if the base sequence at 4 was AGU instead of ACA. (2) 3.1.4 Describe the process of translation. (5) (9) Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 8 3.2 A DNA molecule is double stranded and helical in shape. Scientists carried out a DNA analysis to determine the percentage of nitrogenous bases on one strand of a DNA molecule consisting of 450 nitrogenous bases. The scientists: • Took a sample of human blood • Extracted a DNA molecule • X-rayed the DNA molecule to get a profile • Counted the number of each nitrogenous base in a DNA molecule • Repeated the process 3 times • Calculated the average percentage of nitrogenous bases on each strand The graph below shows the percentage of bases on STRAND 1 of a DNA molecule. 50 Nitrogenous bases (%) 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 Thymine Guanine Adenine Cytosine DNA nitrogenous bases 3.2.1 Identify the dependent variable in this investigation. (1) 3.2.2 State TWO ways in which the scientists ensured the reliability of the investigation. (2) 3.2.3 Calculate the number of guanine on STRAND 2 of a DNA molecule that is the complimentary strand to the one shown on the graph above. Show all working. (3) (6) (15) Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 9 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences Grade 12 March 2020 Common test 9 SECTION C QUESTION 4 Describe the role of ovarian hormones in menstrual cycle and the process of fertilisation. Also describe the role of umbilical cord in a developing foetus. Content: (17) Synthesis: (3) (20) NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of tables, flow charts or diagrams. TOTAL SECTION C: 20 GRAND TOTAL: 60 Copyright reserved Please Turn Over ### Page 10 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Scanned by CamScanner ### Page 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Scanned by CamScanner ### Page 12 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Scanned by CamScanner ### Page 13 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Scanned by CamScanner ### Page 14 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Scanned by CamScanner ## Related documents - [LIFE SCIENCES P2 GR12 QP SEPT2020 English](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-gr12-qp-sept2020-english/16a94853-9b22-45b5-9684-ade232763ebb) — Life Sciences · QP · 2020 · Eng - [Grade 12 NSC Life Sciences P2 (Afrikaans) 2020 Preparatory Question Paper](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-nsc-life-sciences-p2-afrikaans-2020-preparatory-question-paper/4c141cfe-8e69-4401-8dd4-97d64de4938a) — Life Sciences · QP · 2020 · Afr - [Life Sciences P1 Nov 2020 Memo Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-nov-2020-memo-afr/f001fd30-bc70-4e99-8fd0-025399f036d8) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2020 · Afr - [Life Sciences P1 Nov 2020 Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-nov-2020-eng/81c455c0-136c-4dfc-a4ca-6899136e61c1) — Life Sciences · QP · 2020 · Eng - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Free State](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-free-state/470ae841-15a4-4ab3-a87b-abd2294edc20) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Gauteng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-gauteng/bbdf9d27-c483-4cd4-af9f-287e699f482e) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2025 ## More from Grade 12 Life Sciences - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC QP March 2025 KZN](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-qp-march-2025-kzn/b1598f8e-58e0-4c09-b513-b9f61ae73c47) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 KZN](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-kzn/f412416e-57d1-473d-886a-87c9fbb8823c) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-mpumalanga/17b4cc42-641c-4d7d-9c53-6bac113ce83c) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-mpumalanga/be917127-6071-4190-b900-3c475d5bfdd4) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 North West](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-north-west/9dc29799-a675-40eb-9573-df7341b3572f) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences P2 May-June 2025 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-may-june-2025-afr/f068fe02-7f70-4bf4-91ad-4ead880d1a88) — QP · 2025 · Afr ## Collection - [Grade 12 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. 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