education
Department of
Education
FREE STATE PROVINCE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES P2
June 2025
TOTAL: 150
TIME: 2 % HOURS
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Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 Free State June 2025 QP
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the Free State June Exam 2025, 15 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · Free State June Exam · 2025. Question paper, 15 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2025
- Exam period
- Free State June Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 15
- File size
- 1.3 MB
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This exam
Free State June Exam 2025
- Paper 1Question paperMemo
- Paper 2Question paperMemo
Questions in this paper
- Question 1.1DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE23 marks
- Question 1.2DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE6 marks
- Question 1.4DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE9 marks
- Question 1.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE6 marks
- Question 1.6MEIOSIS6 marks
- Question 2.1HUMAN REPRODUCTION12 marks
Show all 17 questions
- Question 2.2GENETICS AND INHERITANCE3 marks
- Question 2.3DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE23 marks
- Question 2.4DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE6 marks
- Question 2.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE13 marks
- Question 2.6GENETICS AND INHERITANCE20 marks
- Question 3.1DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE12 marks
- Question 3.2MEIOSIS5 marks
- Question 3.3MEIOSIS7 marks
- Question 3.4MEIOSIS8 marks
- Question 3.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE6 marks
- Question 3.6GENETICS AND INHERITANCE16 marks
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Life Sciences /P2 2 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1:
2:
10.
12
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.
Make ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink.
Draw diagrams, tables or flow charts 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 a compass,
where necessary.
Write neatly and legibly.
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2 3 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
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
1.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 D.
a BD Random arrangement of homologous chromosomes in pairs at the
equator of a cell takes place during ...
A_ Prophase 1.
B_ Metaphase 1.
C_ Anaphase 2.
D_ Metaphase2.
1.1.2 The statements below describe the steps in the process of cloning
an animal.
(i) |The embryo is implanted into the uterus of an adult female for
development.
(ii) The nucleus from a somatic cell of the donor is extracted.
(iii) The nucleus from the somatic cell is inserted into the ovum.
(iv) The nucleus from the ovum of another individual is removed.
(v) The ovum with the new nucleus is given an electric shock to
stimulate cell division and the formation of the embryo.
The correct sequence of steps for this process is...
(iv), (v), (i), (ii) and (iii)
(ii), (iv), (iii), (v) and (i)
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (i)
(iv), (iii), (ii), () and (v)
VUOWD
1.1.3 Which scientists were credited with first describing the DNA molecule?
Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins
Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick
James Watson and Rosalind Franklin
James Watson and Francis Crick
lwKene 2
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2
Grade 12 Examination
1.1.4
Copyright reserved
FS/ June 2025
In ants, females are diploid, and males are haploid. Females and
males both produce haploid gametes.
This means that ...
0UODY
have.
females produce gametes by mitosis.
males produce gametes by meiosis.
males produce gametes by mitosis.
females have half the number of chromosomes that males
The table below shows the percentages of nitrogen bases in DNA
samples from various organisms.
Source of | Adenine Cytosine | Guanine Thymine
DNA
Human 30 20 20 z
liver
Chicken WwW 40 40 10
liver
Dog liver 24 26 26 24
Mouse 23 Xx 27 23
bone
marrow
Sunflower 11 39 Y 11
leaf
Which ROW of the table below correctly reflects the missing data
values?
Ww X Y z
A 10 23 38 30
B 10 26 39 31
c 10 27 39 30
D 10 25 38 29
When two heterozygous plants for a characteristic are crossed, the
expected genotype ratio is:
A 3:1
Bie e221
G -21:2
D> "4:2.
The DNA of different species only differs in the ...
A
B
Cc
D
components of the nucleotides.
sequence of the nucleotides.
type of bond between the nitrogen bases.
type of sugar that it contains.
Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2
Grade 12 Examination
FS/ June 2025
1.1.8 How do codons and anticodons contribute to the process of protein
synthesis?
A Codons determine the sequence of amino acids in proteins,
while anticodons recognize the codons and bring the correct
amino acids to the ribosome.
B_ Anticodons determine the sequence of amino acids in proteins,
while codons recognize the anticodons and bring the correct
amino acids to the ribosome.
C_ Codons and anticodons are only involved in transcription.
D_ Codons determine the sequence of amino acids in proteins,
while anticodons recognize the codons and bring random
amino acids to the ribosome.
(8 x2) (16)
122 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1 to 1.2.7) in the ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 The phase in the cell cycle when DNA replication takes place
12:2 An inherited condition where the blood’s ability to clot is impaired due
to a missing clotting factor
1.2.3 The process where a unique striped pattern is obtained from a
person’s DNA or sample of bodily fluid
1.2.4 The structure in an animal cell that forms spindle fibers
1.2.5 The type of bond between two nitrogenous bases in a DNA molecule
1.2.6 An organism that has identical alleles for a characteristic
A207 The sugar present in RNA (7x1) (7)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN | 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 Bor none next to the question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN |
COLUMN II
1.3.1
The origin of mitochondrial DNA in a
person
Maternal grandmother
Maternal grandfather
1.3.2
Percentage chance of a child being
female
25%
75%
1.3.3
When two different alleles in a
heterozygous individual result in a
phenotype that is different from both
homozygous parents.
D P| P|O PS
Complete dominance
Incomplete dominance
Copyright reserved
(3 x 2) (6)
Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2 6 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
1.4 The diagram below represents nucleotides in a single strand of a DNA
molecule.
T >
xX
G )
¥ A <
Cc e. +
1.4.1. Give the LETTER of the part that represents:
1.4.2
1.4.3
1.4.4
1.45
1.4.6
Copyright reserved
(a) | Asugar molecule
(b) | Aphosphate molecule
What is the natural shape of this molecule?
If this strand was to be replicated, write the sequence of nitrogenous
bases on the complimentary strand from top to bottom.
State TWO location of DNA, other than the nucleus.
Which nitrogenous base in the diagram would not be present in
RNA?
How many different nucleotides can be found in a DNA molecule?
Please turn over
(1)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(9)
Life Sciences /P2 7 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
1.5 In mice, the characteristics of hair colour and hair length are controlled by the
following alleles:
Hair colour: B black Hair length: H short
b brown h long
A mouse with black, long hair was crossed with a mouse with brown, long hair.
All the F1 offspring had black, long hair.
1A Name this type of genetic cross?
1.5.2 Give the:
(a) Genotype of the parent mouse with black, long hair.
(b) Genotype of all the possible gametes of the parent mouse with
brown, long hair.
(c) Phenotype of a mouse with the genotype bbHh.
1.6 The diagram below represents a pair of homologous chromosomes with alleles
on specific loci as indicated.
1.6.1
1.6.2
1.6.3
1.6.4
1.6.5
Copyright reserved
ae ARO
o @&.
How many genes are represented?
Give the number of characteristics for which this individual is
heterozygous.
State TWO features of the chromosomes represented that indicate
that they are homologous.
Identify structure X.
Which type of cell (diploid cell
homologous chromosomes?
or haploid cell) contains
TOTAL SECTION A:
Please turn over
(1)
(2)
(1)
(2)
(6)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(6)
(50)
Life Sciences /P2
Grade 12 Examination
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
8 FS/ June 2025
2.1 The diagram below represents the karyotype of a human somatic cell.
1
M
XK A A a
0 A
10 11
OM XOX x
20 21 22 23
2121 Describe what a karyotype is?
252 State the collective name for chromosome pair 1 to 22.
25:3) State the phenotype of chromosome pair 23?
2.1.4 Describe how the karyotype of a person with Down syndrome would
differ from the one represented in the diagram.
2:2 State Mendel’s principle of segregation.
Copyright reserved
Please turn over
(2)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(7)
(3)
Life Sciences /P2 9 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
2.3 The diagram below represents part of a process that occurs during protein
synthesis.
~Z
-
ACC
GCUUGGUUA mRNA
tii t | | i)
2.3.1 Name the process shown in the diagram. (1)
2.3.2 Name the organelle where this proses take place? (1)
2.3.3 Identify:
(a) Bond xX (1)
(b) Molecule Z (1)
2.3.4 How many codons make up the portion of the mRNA molecule? (1)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2 10 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
2.4
2.5
2.3.5 The table below shows amino acids coded for by different mRNA
codons.
mRNA CODON AMINO ACID
GCU Alanine
UUA Leucine
UGG Tryptophan
UAC Tyrosine
UUG Leucine
Use the information in the diagram and in the table to identify:
(a) The amino acid at Y
(b) The DNA base triplet that coded for Y
(c) How many codons code for Leucine, according to the table?
2.3.6 A mutation caused a DNA base triplet to change from AAT to AAC.
Describe the effect of this mutation on the protein formed.
Describe the process of transcription in protein synthesis.
Cheetahs are big cats found in the dry grasslands and woodlands of Southern
Africa. Cheetahs normally have spotted fur markings. However, the King
Cheetah is a rare variety with striped fur markings. The rarity of the King
cheetah is due to a genetic mutation that affects the production of Melanin,
resulting in a unique and distinctive coat pattern. The letters N and n represent
the alleles for the different fur markings.
The table shows the results of genetic crosses between two different breeding
pairs of cheetahs.
Cross Phenotype for fur pattern
Parents Offspring
Breeding spotted fur x spotted fur | 3 with spotted fur 1 with striped fur
pair 1
Breeding spotted fur x striped fur | 2 with spotted fur 2 with striped fur
pair 2
2:9:1 Which phenotype is recessive?
2.5.2 Explain your answer for QUESTION 2.5.1 using the results in the
table
2.5.3 Define the term gene mutation.
Copyright reserved Please turn over
(1)
(2)
(1)
(5)
(14)
(6)
(1)
(3)
(2)
Life Sciences /P2 11 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
2.5.4 Name the law of Mendel demonstrated by the phenotype of the
offspring? (1)
2.5.5 Use the letters N and n, do a genetic cross to show the phenotype
ratio of the offspring produced when two heterozygous spotted fur (6)
cheetahs are crossed. (13)
2.6 Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is inherited as a sex-linked recessive (X") genetic
disorder that, with rare female exceptions, most often affects males. The
symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome include decreased kidney function, acute
gouty arthritis and self-mutilating behaviours such as lip and finger biting and/or
head banging.
The pedigree diagram below shows the inheritance of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
in a family.
nO
1
ome
3 4 5 6
1
xO
7 8 9
KEY
Male without Lesch-Nyhan
Female without Lesch-
Nyhan
Male with Lesch-Nyhan
Female with Lesch-Nyhan
OnO
2.6.1 How many males in this family suffer from Lesch-Nyhan syndrome? (1)
2.6.2 State ALL the possible genotypes of individual 5. (2)
2.6.3. Explain why males are more likely to suffer from Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome than females. (4)
(7)
TOTAL QUESTION 2: [50]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Life Sciences /P2 12 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
QUESTION 3
3.1 The diagram below represents the results of a paternity investigation. It was
determined that the three children were siblings (brothers or sisters) and
share the same biological mother. Letters A, B and C represent the DNA
profile of possible fathers.
FatherA [ mother
| Father B | Father c Child 1 Child 2 | Child3
Copyright reserved
Identify the children’s father?
Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.1.1.
Which of the children are identical twins?
Explain why blood tests are not as accurate in determining paternity
as DNA profiling.
State TWO other uses of DNA profiling.
Describe ONE precaution when working with DNA samples in the
laboratory to ensure accurate results.
Please turn over
(1)
(2)
(2)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(12)
Life Sciences /P2 13 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
3.2 The diagram below represents a phase during meiosis.
3.2.1 Identify the phase of meiosis shown.
3.2.2 Give ONE reason for your answer in QUESTION 3.2.1
3.2.3 Identify the structures:
(a) W
(b) X
3.2.4 State the number of chromosomes that each gamete will contain at the
end of meiosis.
3.3 Tabulate THREE differences between mitosis and meiosis.
Copyright reserved
Please turn over
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(5)
(7)
Life Sciences /P2 14 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
3.4
3.5
A scientist wanted to investigate the effect of temperature on the frequency of
meiotic recombination in barley plants.
He expects that an increase in temperature will lead to an increase in meiotic
recombination in barley plants.
The procedure was as follows:
- Prepared three growth chambers with temperatures of 15°C, 20°C and
25°C
- Planted the same variety of 10 barley seeds in each chamber and the
plants were given the same amount of water and same amount of
sunlight.
- Collected the samples after 6 weeks from each chamber.
- Stained and examined the samples, by using a precise method under a
microscope to count the number of chiasmata per cell.
- Record and analyze the data.
3.4.1. Give a scientific question for this investigation.
3.4.2 Identify the:
(a) Independent variable
(b) Dependant variable
3.4.3. State THREE ways in which the validity of this investigation was
ensured.
3.4.4 What happens at the chiasmata in meiosis?
3.4.5 What is the biological importance of meiosis in the life cycle of a plant
such as barley?
Researchers may obtain human stem cells from embryos or adult sources.
Adult stem cells can help to replace and repair damaged cells after an injury or
infection but have limited differentiative potential and embryonic stem cells
have the ability to differentiate into any cell type.
Some diseases and disorders that can be treated with stem cells include
Leukaemia and Parkinson's disease.
3.5.1. Define the term stem cells?
3.5.2 What type of cell division do stem cells undergo to produce tissues?
3.5.3. From the passage, give TWO reasons for the use of stem cells.
3.5.4 Give ONE source where adult stem cells can be collected from.
Copyright reserved Please turn over
(2)
(1)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(10)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(6)
Life Sciences /P2 15 FS/ June 2025
Grade 12 Examination
3.6
Humans have four blood groups A, B, AB and O. Blood groups are
determined by the alleles inherited from parents.
3.6.1. Explain how the four blood groups in humans can result from a single
gene.
3.6.2 Explain how it is possible for a mother with blood group A and a father
with blood group B to have a child with blood group O.
TOTAL QUESTION 3:
TOTAL SECTION B:
GRAND TOTAL:
(6)
(4)
(10)
[50]
100
150
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