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NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
SEPTEMBER 2024
LIFE SCIENCES P1
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 15 pages.
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Life Sciences Grade 12 P1 Eastern Cape Prelim 2024 QP (Eng)
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 1 question paper from the Eastern Cape Prelim Exam 2024 (English), 15 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · Eastern Cape Prelim Exam · 2024 · English. Question paper, 15 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Language
- English
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2024
- Exam period
- Eastern Cape Prelim Exam
- Paper
- 1
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 15
- File size
- 1.3 MB
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This exam
Questions in this paper
- Question 1.1RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)18 marks
- Question 1.2RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)9 marks
- Question 1.3RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)8 marks
- Question 1.4RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)10 marks
- Question 1.5RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)5 marks
- Question 2.1RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)12 marks
Show all 14 questions
- Question 2.2REPRODUCTION IN VERTEBRATES7 marks
- Question 2.3RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)12 marks
- Question 2.4RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (Humans)10 marks
- Question 2.5RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT (PLANTS)9 marks
- Question 3.1HUMAN REPRODUCTION15 marks
- Question 3.2HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS IN HUMANS15 marks
- Question 3.3HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS IN HUMANS10 marks
- Question 3.4HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS IN HUMANS10 marks
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2 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
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 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. ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled 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 must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass
where necessary.
11. All calculations to be rounded off to TWO decimal spaces.
12. Write neatly and legibly.
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 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‒D) next to the question numbers
(1.1.1 to 1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 Study the diagram below showing a cross section through a testis.
1
2
3
4
The correct labels for 1‒4 in the above diagram are:
1 2 3 4
Seminiferous
A Sperm Sertoli cells Leydig cells
tubule
Seminiferous
B Leydig cells Sperm Sertoli cells
tubule
Seminiferous
C Sperm Leydig cells Sertoli cells
tubule
Seminiferous
D Sertoli cells Sperm Leydig cells
tubule
1.1.2 The cause of no insulin being secreted in the blood after meal(s).
A Goitre
B Diabetes Type 1
C Diabetes Type 2
D Hypoglycaemia
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4 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
1.1.3 Study the list below.
(i) The pupil will constrict.
(ii) The suspensory ligaments will pull taught.
(iii) The pupil will dilate.
(iv) More light will be allowed into the inner eye.
Which of the above statements describes the processes that take place
in the eye to form a clear image in a dimly lit room?
A (ii) and (iii) only
B (i), (ii) and (iv)
C (iii) and (iv)
D (iii) only
1.1.4 A person is unable to hear due to the organ of Corti being damaged.
Which of the following treatments would improve the person’s hearing?
A Cochlear implant
B Grommet
C Hearing aid
D Removal of cochlea
1.1.5 Which ONE of the following plant hormones is an effective weedkiller?
A Gibberellins
B Abscisic acid
C Auxin
D Ethylene
1.1.6 Which ONE of the following statements indicates the significance of a
reflex action?
A It allows the cerebrum to interpret stimuli.
B It brings about a rapid, involuntary response.
C It prevents the person from feeling pain.
D It allows time for interpretation and a co-ordinated response.
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 5
1.1.7 The diagram below represents a reflex arc.
A
B
D
C
If part B is damaged …
A no pain will be felt, and the person will not be able to pull their finger
away.
B pain will be felt, and the person will be able to pull their finger away.
C pain will be felt, and the person will not be able to pull their finger
away.
D no pain will be felt, and the person will be able to pull their finger
away.
1.1.8 Study the statements below.
(i) Less aldosterone will be secreted.
(ii) More sodium ions will be reabsorbed into blood.
(iii) More sodium ions will form part of the urine.
(iv) Sodium ions will remain in the renal tubule.
If sodium concentration in the blood is high, which of the above
statements are TRUE?
A (i); (iii) and (iv)
B (ii), (iii) and (iv)
C (iii) and (iv) only
D (i) and (ii) only
1.1.9 The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the …
A increased blood flow to skeletal muscle.
B fight or flight response.
C returning of heart rate to normal.
D cranial nerves.
(9 x 2) (18)
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6 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.9) in the ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 Responsible for detecting a stimulus and generating an impulse
1.2.2 Extra-embryonic membrane that allows for gaseous exchange in the
amniotic egg
1.2.3 A gland or muscle that brings about a response to stimuli
1.2.4 Widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow
1.2.5 The type of lens required to correct short-sightedness
1.2.6 Glands found exclusively in mammals that under the influence of
prolactin secrete milk
1.2.7 The layer of the eye which contains photoreceptors
1.2.8 The location of the osmoreceptors in the body
1.2.9 The microscopic gap between two neurons allowing impulses to be
transmitted from one to the next
(9 x 1) (9)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN Ι applies to A ONLY, B
ONLY, BOTH A AND B, or NONE of the items in COLUMN ΙΙ. Write A only, B
only, BOTH A and B, or NONE next to the question numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.4) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN Ι COLUMN ΙΙ
1.3.1 Role(s) of the placenta A: Maintenance of pregnancy
B: Protects the foetus against
mechanical injury
1.3.2 Functions of abscisic acid in A: To promote flowering
plants B: To enable root development
1.3.3 Hormone(s) responsible for A: Aldosterone
osmoregulation B: Anti-diuretic hormone
1.3.4 The loss of memory due to A: Alzheimer’s disease
degeneration of nerve tissue B: Multiple sclerosis
(4 x 2) (8)
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 7
1.4 The diagram below depicts parts of the central nervous system.
A
D
B
C
1.4.1 State the LETTER and NAME of the part most likely affected if a
person experiences the following after an injury:
(a) Inability to write smoothly (2)
(b) Slurred speech (2)
(c) Irregular breathing and heart rate (2)
1.4.2 Explain TWO ways part C is protected against injury. (4)
1.5 Draw a fully labelled diagram of a sensory neuron. (5)
[50]
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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8 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Read the extract below.
In South Africa, 84 000 preterm births occur annually. Preterm babies are those
who are born alive before the full 40 weeks of pregnancy.
10% of these babies born are likely to die or experience acute respiratory,
neurological, and eye problems compared to full-term babies due to being
under-developed.
The ‘biobag’ in the diagram below, aims to create an artificial uterus for the
developing foetus to continue its development in. Studies have shown this
‘biobag’ can be used to provide a lamb with all the necessary conditions to
gestate to full term.
Thick
plastic bag
Foetus
Umbilical
attachment
Inlet for
purified
amniotic fluid
Oxygenator
Intravenous bag (hormones,
anticoagulant and nutrients)
2.1.1 Calculate the number of premature babies, born in South Africa that
are likely to die or experience acute respiratory, neurological, and eye
problems. (3)
2.1.2 Identify ONE component of the biobag and explain how it would act as
the:
(a) Amnion (2)
(b) Placenta (2)
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 9
2.1.3 Describe how the ‘biobag’ could eliminate risks of underdeveloped
organs in preterm babies. (3)
2.1.4 List TWO ethical issues that would need to be considered before the
introduction of this reproductive technology on human trials. (2)
2.2 Read the extract below.
The red kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroo species and is endemic to
Australia. During copulation the male releases semen inside of the female’s
body and gestation takes 33 days until birth. The blind, naked and stumped
legged baby kangaroo must crawl its way up the mother’s fur to a pouch where
it attaches onto a teat, that provides nourishment, and remains protected there
for the next 190 days until becomes a joey. At 235 days the joey is ready to
leave the mother’s pouch full-time.
Pouch
containing a joey
2.2.1 Identify the type of fertilisation that takes place in the red kangaroo. (1)
2.2.2 Give ONE reason for your answer in QUESTION 2.2.1. (1)
2.2.3 Identify the reproductive strategy used by the red kangaroo where its
young are born alive. (1)
2.2.4 Discuss ONE parental strategy the red kangaroo displays that ensures
a high survival rate of its young. (2)
2.2.5 Why would you describe the red kangaroo as altricial? (2)
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10 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
2.3 The diagram below shows a cross section of the eye.
A
B
C
2.3.1 Give the NAME and ONE FUNCTION of the each of the following parts:
(a) A (2)
(b) B (2)
2.3.2 Polycoria is a disease that affects part C. A person suffering from this
disease has more than one pupil. Each pupil has its own set of circular
muscles.
Briefly discuss how this disease will affect vision. (3)
2.3.3 Describe the changes that occur in the eye when a person focuses on
an object that is three metres away. (5)
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 11
2.4 The diagram below shows the structure of the inner ear.
A
E
B
C
2.4.1 Give the LETTER and NAME of the part that:
(a) Collects vibrations from ossicles and converts them into
pressure waves (2)
(b) Contains the organ of Corti (2)
2.4.2 Top ice-figure skaters can spin up to six revolutions on their body’s
axis per second.
Describe the role of part A in the maintenance of balance of their body
while spinning. (4)
2.4.3 Describe ONE structural suitability of part B to perform its function. (2)
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12 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
2.5 The experiment below shows a plant that was placed on a rotating clinostat
in a dark room.
Permanent
rotation
Clinostat
2.5.1 Identify the tropism that is tested in this experiment. (1)
2.5.2 Explain the direction of growth expected to be seen in the root. (3)
2.5.3 Describe why the stem of a plant will grow towards a unilateral light. (3)
2.5.4 Name TWO defence mechanisms used by plants to protect them
from being eaten by animals. (2)
[50]
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 13
QUESTION 3
3.1 Researchers investigated the effect of microplastic bioaccumulation on male
fertility levels in rats. Microplastics are plastics that have broken down into
micrometre sizes, they cannot be broken down and excreted by the body and
therefore will increase in the blood over time. This is known as bioaccumulation.
The investigation was conducted as follows:
• 60 male rats, all Albino Wistar sp. were equally divided into three groups.
• Rats in all three groups were healthy and fed the same diet.
• Group 1 was fed drinking water with 0,0 µm/ℓ microplastics daily.
• Group 2 was fed contaminated drinking water consisting of 4 µm/ℓ of
microplastics daily.
• Group 3 was fed contaminated drinking water consisting of 10 µm/ℓ
microplastics daily.
• Scientists then ran the investigation over a period of 90 days.
• Every 30 days scientists extracted blood samples and tested testosterone
levels (ng/mℓ) from 10 rats at random within each group and an average
per group was calculated.
Results were as follows:
TESTOSTERONE LEVEL (ng/mℓ)
GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3
0,0 µm/ℓ 4 µm/ℓ 10 µm/ℓ
DAY 0 28 ng/mℓ 25 ng/mℓ 26 ng/mℓ
DAY 30 26 ng/mℓl 19 ng/mℓ 17 ng/mℓ
DAY 60 27 ng/mℓ 14 ng/mℓ 8 ng/mℓ
DAY 90 26 ng/mℓ 10 ng/mℓ 3 ng/mℓ
3.1.1 Explain ONE way the researchers ensured the reliability of their
investigation. (2)
3.1.2 Identify ONE way the researchers could have increased the validity of
their results from the research design above. (1)
3.1.3 How was the dependent variable measured in the investigation? (1)
3.1.4 Explain why Group 1 was important in this investigation. (3)
3.1.5 State the conclusion for the investigation. (2)
3.1.6 Describe the process of spermatogenesis. (4)
3.1.7 How would spermatogenesis be affected in Group 3 after 90 days? (2)
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14 LIFE SCIENCES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)
3.2 The diagram below represents the endocrine glands of the human body.
A
Frontal
lobe
B
C
D
3.2.1 Identify glands:
(a) C (1)
(b) D (1)
3.2.2 What is the function of the ‘negative feedback mechanism’ that
regulates gland B? (2)
3.2.3 Explain why gland D can be described as both an endocrine and
exocrine gland. (4)
3.2.4 Describe how gland C may increase glucose and oxygen supply to
skeletal muscles in an emergency. (5)
3.2.5 Due to a tumour growing in the frontal lobe of the brain, excess levels
of growth hormone (GH) may be secreted.
(a) Which part of the brain is responsible for secreting growth
hormone (GH)? (1)
(b) Name ONE condition excess levels of growth hormone (GH)
would cause in adults. (1)
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(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 15
3.3 The graph below shows the changes in female hormones during the menstrual
cycle.
OESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE AND LUTENISING
HORMONE OVER A 28 DAY PERIOD
100
Hormone concentration (mIU/mL)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 14 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28
Day
Oestrogen Progesterone Luteinising hormone
3.3.1 Identify the structures that secrete:
(a) Oestrogen from day 1–13 (1)
(b) Progesterone from day 13–20 (1)
3.3.2 On which day did ovulation take place? (1)
3.3.3 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.3.2. (1)
3.3.4 Explain why progesterone levels remain high after day 21. (2)
3.3.5 Why is it not possible for a female to develop another Graafian follicle
during pregnancy? (4)
3.4 During periods of intense exercise, carbon dioxide levels in the blood and the
body’s temperature increases.
3.4.1 Describe the homeostatic control of carbon dioxide when it is too high
in the blood. (7)
3.4.2 Describe what would be the effect on the athlete’s body if it is unable
to reduce its temperature. (3)
[50]
TOTAL SECTION B: 50
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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