# Life Sciences Grade 12 P1 NSC Supplementary 2012 Memo (Eng)

> Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 1 memorandum from the NSC Supplementary 2012 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-feb-march-2012-memo-eng-version-1/d7e2745b-603b-4629-a77e-018a8c8619f2
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Life Sciences
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Memorandum
- Year: 2012
- Exam period: NSC Supplementary
- Paper: 1
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 11

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## About this document

Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC Supplementary · 2012. Memorandum, 11 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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## Document text

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### Page 1

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                                 NATIONAL
                            SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                                  GRADE 12

                                   LIFE SCIENCES P1

              VERSION 1 (NEW CONTENT) FOR FULL-TIME CANDIDATES

                                FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

                                     MEMORANDUM

MARKS: 150

                       This memorandum consists of 11 pages.

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          2                              DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES 2012

1.      If more information than marks allocated is given
        Stop marking when maximum marks is reached and put a wavy line and ‘max’ in the
        right-hand margin.

2.      If, for example, three reasons are required and five are given
        Mark the first three irrespective of whether all or some are correct/incorrect.

3.      If whole process is given when only part of it is required
        Read all and credit relevant part.

4.      If comparisons are asked for and descriptions are given
        Accept if differences / similarities are clear.

5.      If tabulation is required but paragraphs are given
        Candidates will lose marks for not tabulating.

6.      If diagrams are given with annotations when descriptions are required
        Candidates will lose marks

7.      If flow charts are given instead of descriptions
        Candidates will lose marks.

8.      If sequence is muddled and links do not make sense
        Where sequence and links are correct, credit. Where sequence and links is incorrect,
        do not credit. If sequence and links becomes correct again, resume credit.

9.      Non-recognised abbreviations
        Accept if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognized
        abbreviation but credit the rest of answer if correct.

10.     Wrong numbering
        If answer fits into the correct sequence of questions but the wrong number is given, it is
        acceptable.

11.     If language used changes the intended meaning
        Do not accept.

12.     Spelling errors
        If recognizable accept provided it does not mean something else in Life Sciences or if it
        is out of context.

13.     If common names given in terminology
        Accept provided it was accepted at the National memo discussion meeting.

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          3                              DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

14.     If only letter is asked for and only name is given (and vice versa)
        No credit

15.     If units are not given in measurements
        Candidates will lose marks. Memorandum will allocate marks for units separately

16.     Be sensitive to the sense of an answer, which may be stated in a different way.

17.     Caption
        All illustrations (diagrams, graphs, tables, etc.) must have a caption

18.     Code-switching of official languages (terms and concepts)
        A single word or two that appears in any official language other than the learners’
        assessment language used to the greatest extent in his/her answers should be credited,
        if it is correct. A marker that is proficient in the relevant official language should be
        consulted. This is applicable to all official languages.

19.     No changes must be made to the marking memoranda without consulting the Provincial
        Internal Moderator who in turn will consult with the National Internal Moderator (and the
        External moderators where necessary)

20.     Only memoranda bearing the signatures of the national Internal Moderator and the
        UMALUSI moderators and distributed by the National Department of Education via the
        Provinces must be used during training and during the marking period.

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          4                           DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1        1.1.1        B33
           1.1.2        C33
           1.1.3        C33
           1.1.4        A33
           1.1.5        B33
           1.1.6        A33
           1.1.7        B33
           1.1.8        D33
           1.1.9        C33
           1.1.10       B33                                                       (10 x 2)       (20)

1.2        1.2.1        Recessive3
           1.2.2        Autosomes3
           1.2.3        Cloning3
           1.2.4        Polyploidy3
           1.2.5        Genetic engineering3/Genetic modification/Biotechnology
           1.2.6        Independent 3variable
           1.2.7        Genome3
           1.2.8        Locus 3
           1.2.9        Extinction3                                                              (9)

1.3        1.3.1        B only33
           1.3.2        B only33
           1.3.3        A only33
           1.3.4        None33
           1.3.5        Both A and B33
           1.3.6        A only33                                                  (6 x 2)        (12)

1.4        1.4.1        A3                                                                       (1)

           1.4.2        Opposable thumbs3with power and precision grip
                        Bare fingertips3with nails
                        Long arms3
                        Freely rotating arms3
                        Eyes in front3
                        Stereoscopic vision 3
                        Eyes with cones3
                        Large brain size compared to body mass3
                        Two mammary glands3
                        Sexual dimorphism3
                        Olfactory brain centre reduced3

                        (Mark first THREE only)                                    Any 3         (3)

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          5                             DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

           1.4.3        Humans3                                                                    (1)

           1.4.4        Shift in the position of foramen magnum3 to a forward position
                        Gently curved jaws3
                        Flat face3
                        Well developed chin3
                        Not prognathus3
                        Forehead less sloping3
                        No pronounced brow ridges3
                        Smaller canines3/
                        Spaces between teeth bigger3
                        Larger brain size3

                        (Mark first TWO only)                                       Any 2          (2)

           1.4.5        Rhesus monkey3
                        Gibbon3                                                                    (2)
                                                                                                   (9)

                                                                     TOTAL SECTION A:              50

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)              6                             DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                               NSC – Memorandum

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1        2.1.1        A – chromatid3/chromosome
                        B – Spindle3 fibre                                                             (2)

           2.1.2        Diagram 3, Diagram 2, Diagram 133 (in correct sequence)                        (2)

           2.1.3        Crossing over3 in diagram 3
                        Chromosomes moving to poles3 in diagram 1
                        Bivalents (homologous pair of chromosomes) lie in the equator3 in
                        diagram 2
                        (Mark first TWO only)                                      Any 2               (2)
                                                                                                       (6)

2.2        2.2.1        Normal male karyotype has an X and Y chromosome 9 at 23
                        Klinefelter syndrome karyotype has an extra X chromosome 9/
                        3 chromosomes at number 23/two X and one Y chromosomes                         (2)

           2.2.2        During meiosis 1 9 the homologous chromosome pair 239 of the
                        female 9parent does not separate9/there is non-disjunction
                                                      OR
                        During meiosis 2 9 the chromosome 239 of the female 9parent
                        does not separate9/non-disjunction of chromosome and both
                        chromatids move to same pole

                        an ovum with 2 X chromosomes9 is produced
                        during fertilization9 this ovum fused with a sperm cell with a Y
                        chromosome9 to form the zygote with XXY 9/47 chromosomes
                                                                                       Any 6           (6)
                                                                                                       (8)
2.3
                                       Father                   Mother
        P1/parent phenotype         No white forelock x     White forelock 3
                  genotype                 hh         x         Hh 3

        Meiosis
                                                                       Gametes   H             h
        G/gametes                    h,    h     x   H,    h3            h     Hh         hh
                                                                         h     Hh         hh
        Fertilisation                                             OR
                                                                       1 mark for correct gametes
                                                                       1 mark for correct genotypes
        F1 genotype          Hh , hh , Hh , hh 3
        Phenotype 2 x without ‘white forelock’ & 2 x with 'white forelock' 3

        Parents and offspring3/P1 and F1
        Meiosis and fertilisation3                                                    Max          (6)

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          7                                 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

2.4        2.4.1        Co-dominance3                                                                  (1)

           2.4.2        Both alleles3 expressed themselves equally3 in the phenotype3
                        of the offspring                                                               (3)

           2.4.3        (a) RR33
                        (b) RW 33
                        (c ) WW33                                                      (3 x 2)         (6)
                                                                                                       (10)
                                                                                                       [30]

QUESTION 3

3.1        3.1.1        To identify specific defective genes3/to find out if they are possible
                        carriers                                                                       (1)

           3.1.2        -    To be given advice on the risk of transferring the defective
                             gene3/ to find the probability of passing on the defective
                             gene to offspring
                        -    To be able to make decisions on whether they want to have
                             children3
                        -    To be given explanation of the results of DNA3
                        -    To be given explanation of procedure to be involved in DNA
                             testing3                                                                  (3)
                        (Mark first THREE only)                                       Any 3            (4)

3.2                     Identify criminals3/biological evidence
                        Identify deceased bodies3
                        Identify relatives3/ missing person/paternity
                        (Mark first TWO only)                                           Any 2          (2)

3.3
                        Australopithecus sediba            Homo sapiens
                        Smaller skeleton size3     Increased skeleton size3
                        Smaller cranium size3      Much larger cranium3
                        Less developed chin3       More developed chin3
                                                         3 x 2 + 1 table                               (7)
3.4        3.4.1        They can interbreed3 and produce fertile offspring3/puppies which
                        can interbreed                                                                 (2)

           3.4.2        - there is variation in the wolves in terms of aggressive behaviour3/
                           feeding habits
                        - a population of less aggressive/more tame wolves9 became
                          scavengers9 around human settlements and were separated9
                          from the original wild population
                        - each group occupying a niche undergoes natural selection3
                        - as a result of varying environmental conditions3

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          8                                 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

                        - and develops differently3
                        - genotypically3 and phenotypically3
                        - gene flow3/reproduction between the different populations does
                          not occur
                        - The differences that develop between the different populations
                          prevent them from inter-breeding3even if they were to mix
                        - such that one or both groups become a new species3
                                                                                     Max 6             (6)

           3.4.3        Humans3 chose the dogs that had the best/desired
                        characteristics3and interbred3 them
                        Over many generations3 of careful selection a desired breed of
                        dog was achieved                                         Any 2                 (2)
                                                                                                       (10)

3.5        3.5.1        Accepted3/not rejected                                                         (1)

           3.5.2        The bacteria3/single-cell organisms appear in the oldest rock
                        layers3/strata/multi-celled3/complex organisms appear later in
                        Palaeozoic era3/older era3 is equivalent to older rock strata3
                                                                                     Any 2             (2)

           3.5.3        It would indicate that complex organism did not evolve from simple
                        organisms3 therefore the theory will be rejected3

                                                        OR

                        It would mean that first protists and dinosaurs co-existed3
                        therefore dinosaurs did not evolve from protists3                              (2)

           3.5.4        Invertebrates have soft bodies3 which decay easily3/ do not
                        fossilise
                                                       OR

                        Some invertebrates may have had an exoskeleton3 which decays
                        easily3/ does not fossilise

                                                        OR

                        Earlier fossils of invertebrates3 might not yet have been
                        discovered3                                                                    (2)
                                                                                                       (7)
                                                                                                       [30]

                                                                      TOTAL SECTION B:                 60

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)             9                             DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                              NSC – Memorandum

SECTION C

QUESTION 4

4.1        4.1.1        One3                                                                          (1)

           4.1.2        Blood groups are controlled by three alleles3/ IA , IB , I which when
                        in combination provide four phenotypes3/A, AB, B, O.                          (2)

           4.1.3

                      Percentage distribution of blood groups in a province

                                                                   Blood group A
                   Blood group O                                    A
                                  O                                35%
                                 40%

                                                                 Blood group B
                   Blood group AB
                                              AB               B
                                             10%             15%
                                             10%              15%

                     Blood group A:          35 x 360
                                             100   1
                                           = 126˚

                     Blood group B:          15    360
                                                 x
                                             100    1
                                           = 54˚

                     Blood group AB:          10 x 360
                                             100    1
                                           = 36˚

                     Blood group O:           40      360
                                                  x
                                             100       1
                                           = 144˚

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          10                               DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

        Rubric for the mark allocation of the calculations

                       Marks          Calculations
                         1           1–3 correct
                         2           4 correct

        Rubric for the mark allocation of the pie chart
                     Caption                             1
                     Correct proportion of slices        1: 1–2   correct
                                                         2: 3–4   correct
                     Label / key for each slice          1: 1     correct label
                                                         2: 2     correct label
                                                         3: 3–4   correct labels                      (8)

        NOTE: If the wrong type of illustration is drawn: marks will be lost for drawing the slices
        in correct proportions
                                                                                                 (11)

4.2        4.2.1        The average height 3of the plants decreases3 as the altitude3
                        increases3
                                                 OR
                        The average height 3of the plants increases 3as the altitude3
                        decreases3                                                  Max 3             (3)

           4.2.2        All seeds from different altitudes were planted under the same
                        environmental conditions3
                        Same number of seeds for each level was used3
                        (Mark first TWO only)                                                         (2)

           4.2.3        - There is variation in the height of this plant population3/
                          some plants are tall and some are short
                        - More short plants survived3 at high altitude to reproduce the
                          next generation
                        - Because the short plants are not easily broken by wind at high
                          altitude3/ harsh environmental conditions at high altitude
                        - Tall plants did not survive the strong winds/environmental
                          conditions at high altitude3/ Fewer tall plants survived3 at high
                          altitude                                                     Max 4          (4)
                                                                                                      (9)

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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time)          11                             DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

4.3        Possible answer
           GENE MUTATIONS
           - Errors3/mistakes/changes may occur during transcription3/ DNA replication
           - Point mutations: replacing/substituting one base of a codon with another3
           - Small change that may possibly result in one amino acid 3changing in a
             protein
           - Frame-shift mutations: addition/deletion of one or more bases of a codon3
           - Resulting in changing the order/sequence of all the bases of the codons 3
           - Resulting in forming a different protein3 with different functions3
           - Lead to different phenotypes3
                                                                                     Max         (6)
           MEIOSIS

           Crossing–over9
           - Homologous chromosomes9/bivalents pair up
           - Each chromosome has 2 chromatids9
           - Non-sister chromatids overlap/cross over9
           - Points at which crossing-over takes place are referred to as chiasmata9
           - Genetic material is exchanged9 between non-sister chromatids9
           - After the process of crossing-over chromosomes have alleles from its
             homologous partner 9
           -This means that each gamete formed will have a mix of alleles from both
             parents9
           - Brings about variation in the gametes 9formed and also the offspring
                                                                                       Max       (7)

           Random arrangement of chromosomes 9at the equator
           - Each pair of homologous chromosomes 9may line up either way up on the
             equator of the spindle 9
           - Independently of what the other pairs are doing9
           -This means that gametes will have differing number/mix of both
             parental chromosomes 9                                              Max             (4)
                                                                                                 (17)

ASSESSING THE PRESENTATION OF THE ESSAY

            Marks                                 Descriptions
              3       Well structured – demonstrates insight and understanding of question
              2       Minor gaps in the logic and flow of the answer
              1       Attempted but with significant gaps in the logic and flow of the answer
              0       Not attempted/nothing written other than question number

                                                                                Synthesis       (3)
                                                                                                (20)

                                                                      TOTAL SECTION C:          40
                                                                         GRAND TOTAL:           150

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