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NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES P1
VERSION 1 (NEW CONTENT) FOR FULL-TIME CANDIDATES
NOVEMBER 2012
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
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Life Sciences Grade 12 P1 NSC November 2012 QP (Eng)
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 1 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2012 (English), 16 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2012. Question paper, 16 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2012
- Exam period
- NSC November Exam
- Paper
- 1
- Curriculum
- CAPS
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- 16
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This exam
NSC November Exam 2012
Questions in this paper
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 2 DBE/November 2012
NSC
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL the answers in your 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 should be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams or flow charts only when asked to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily all drawn to scale.
9. Do NOT use graph paper.
10. You may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and compass where
necessary.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 3 DBE/November 2012
NSC
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example
1.1.11 D.
1.1.1 The present-day distribution of organisms is referred to as ...
A mutations.
B biodiversity.
C biochemistry.
D biogeography.
1.1.2 Changes to genetic material in organisms can ONLY be inherited
by the next generation if they ...
A occur in somatic cells.
B increase the survival chances of the species.
C occur in reproductive cells.
D increase the survival chances of an individual.
1.1.3 Study the diagrams of hominid skulls below.
1 2 3
The correct sequence of evolution, from oldest to youngest, of the
hominid species shown is ...
A 2, 3, 1.
B 3, 1, 2.
C 1, 3, 2.
D 2, 1, 3.
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NSC
1.1.4 DNA sequences are now routinely used to determine how closely
related different species are to each other. The table below shows
DNA sequences from the amylase gene of four different
organisms.
Amylase DNA sequence
Organism 1 C A G G T C A G T T
Organism 2 C C G G T C A G G T
Organism 3 C A G G A C A T T T
Organism 4 C C G G T C A C G T
Based on this information alone, which TWO organisms are most
closely related?
A Organism 1 and Organism 2
B Organism 2 and Organism 3
C Organism 2 and Organism 4
D Organism 3 and Organism 4
1.1.5 The photograph below represents a human karyotype prepared
from a sample of foetus cells collected during amniocentesis.
Human karyotype
It is reasonable to conclude that …
A the foetus is a female.
B the child will develop Down syndrome.
C the foetus is a male.
D there are 46 autosomes.
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 5 DBE/November 2012
NSC
1.1.6 The diagrams below represent six different phases of meiosis
taking place in a cell with four chromosomes.
1 2
4
3
6
5
The correct sequence of the different phases in which the above-
mentioned division takes place is …
A 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
B 6, 2, 5, 4, 1, 3.
C 3, 5, 4, 2, 6, 1.
D 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2.
1.1.7 Two types of birds belong to the same species if they ...
A look similar.
B are separated by a geographical barrier.
C successfully interbreed.
D live in the same habitat.
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NSC
1.1.8 Which of the following is CORRECT regarding scientific
investigations?
A Increasing the sample size decreases the validity.
B Allowing many variables increases the reliability.
C Controlling the variables decreases the validity.
D Repeating the investigation increases the reliability.
1.1.9 Two parents have children with the following blood groups:
CHILD BLOOD GROUP
1 A
2 O
3 AB
4 B
If the father has blood group A, what blood group must the mother
have?
A Blood group A
B Blood group B
C Blood group O
D Blood group AB
1.1.10 In a monohybrid cross the two parental genotypes are AA and aa.
The genotype of all the F 1 plants is Aa. If the F 1 plants are crossed,
what percentage of the F 2 generation will have the dominant
phenotype?
A 25
B 50
C 75
D 100 (10 x 2) (20)
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 7 DBE/November 2012
NSC
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1 to 1.2.8) in your ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 The formation of new species in the absence of a physical barrier
1.2.2 Failure of one or more chromosomes to separate during meiosis
1.2.3 Organisms having two identical alleles at a given locus
1.2.4 The condition in which an organism has more than two complete
sets of chromosomes in a cell
1.2.5 Similar structures that descend from a common ancestor
1.2.6 Monomers/Building blocks of a nucleic acid
1.2.7 The division of the cytoplasm during cell division in plant and
animal cells
1.2.8 The process of making new DNA from existing DNA (8)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements 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 1.3.8) in
your ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 Examples of reproductive A: Adaptation to different pollinators
isolation mechanisms B: Breeding at different times
1.3.2 Fossils found in the Great Rift A: Nutcracker man
Valley B: Taung child
1.3.3 Supports the 'Out of Africa' A: Y-chromosome mutations
hypothesis B: Migration of Homo erectus
1.3.4 Characteristics that may be A: Similarity of DNA sequencing
used by scientists to build a B: Fossil evidence
phylogenetic tree
1.3.5 Foramen magnum is towards A: Human
the back of the skull B: Chimpanzee
1.3.6 Characterises blood grouping A: Multiple alleles
B: Co-dominance
1.3.7 An organism's complete set of A: Genotype
DNA B: Genome
1.3.8 A sudden change in the A: Translation
sequence of nitrogen bases in B: Transcription
DNA
(8 x 2) (16)
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NSC
1.4 The diagram below shows a short section of a DNA molecule.
A B
C
D
1.4.1 Identify part C and part D respectively. (2)
1.4.2 Name the type of bond that joins A and B. (1)
1.4.3 Give ONE visible reason for identifying the above molecule as
DNA. (1)
1.4.4 Name TWO structures in a non-dividing human cell where DNA is
found. (2)
(6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 9 DBE/November 2012
NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 The diagram below shows crossing over in a pair of homologous
chromosomes.
X
Z
2.1.1 Identify the point X and part Z respectively. (2)
2.1.2 Give ONE observable reason why the chromosomes above are
regarded as homologous. (1)
2.1.3 Give ONE reason why crossing over is important. (1)
2.1.4 Name ONE other process occurring during meiosis that has the
same importance as crossing over. (1)
2.1.5 If a mouse egg cell contains 20 chromosomes, how many
chromosomes will there be in its skin cell? (1)
(6)
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NSC
2.2 The first 7 triplets of nitrogenous bases that form part of the gene coding for
one chain of the haemoglobin protein that makes up red blood corpuscles in
humans is shown below.
DNA TEMPLATE CAC GTG GAC TGA GGA CTC CTC
BASE TRIPLET
NUMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2.2.1 How many of the following are coded for in the DNA template
sequence above:
(a) Nitrogenous bases (1)
(b) Different types of t-RNA molecules that are required to form
the polypeptide from this piece of DNA (1)
(c) Amino acids (1)
2.2.2 Write down the mRNA sequence from triplet number 4 to triplet
number 6 for the DNA template above. (3)
2.2.3 Using the table below, determine the amino acid sequence coded
by triplet number 4 to triplet number 6.
Anticodons on tRNA Amino acid coded for
coding for the amino acid
CUC Glutamate
GUG Histidine
GGA Proline
GAC Leucine
UGA Threonine
CAC Valine (3)
2.2.4 If the T in the 6th triplet of bases changed to A in the DNA template
above:
(a) Write down the new amino acid (using the table above) that
this 6th triplet now codes for (1)
(b) State the type of gene mutation that has occurred (1)
2.2.5 The change of T to A, referred to in QUESTION 2.2.4, is the
mutation that causes sickle cell anaemia. It is characterised by the
red blood corpuscles changing shape from biconcave to
sickle-shaped with a much smaller surface area than normal red
blood corpuscles.
Explain how this may possibly affect the person suffering from
sickle cell anaemia. (3)
(14)
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 11 DBE/November 2012
NSC
2.3 A geneticist wanted to find out which corn colour is dominant in a species of
maize. The species has two phenotypes for colour, yellow and white. She
performed four genetic crosses and recorded the colour of the offspring as
shown in the table below.
Genetic crosses Parent phenotypes Offspring phenotypes
1 yellow x yellow all yellow
2 white x white 51 white and 17 yellow
3 white x yellow 32 white and 34 yellow
4 white x white all white
2.3.1 According to the results, which colour is dominant? (1)
2.3.2 Which ONE of the genetic crosses (1, 2, 3 or 4) from the table allows
the conclusion suggested in QUESTION 2.3.1? (1)
2.3.3 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 2.3.2. (2)
2.3.4 Use the symbols G and g to represent genetic cross 2. Also indicate
the proportions of the F 1 phenotypes. (6)
(10)
[30]
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 12 DBE/November 2012
NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 The pedigree diagram below traces the inheritance of haemophilia in a family.
1 2
3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11
Key:
Unaffected female
Affected male
Unaffected male
3.1.1 How many family members not affected by haemophilia are
carriers? (1)
3.1.2 Explain why this disorder affects mostly males in this family. (3)
3.1.3 Use the possible alleles XH, Xh and Y to determine the genotype of
the following:
(a) Individual 1 (2)
(b) Individual 4 (2)
3.1.4 What are the chances of individual 10 and his wife, who is a carrier
(not shown in the pedigree), having a son who is affected? (2)
3.1.5 Give TWO reasons why individual 9 and his partner should
undergo genetic counselling before starting a family. (2)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 13 DBE/November 2012
NSC
3.2 During their work to establish the structure of DNA, Watson and Crick were
interested in the proportion of nucleotides in the DNA of skin cells from a
particular organism. They considered the results from three different samples
done in the same laboratory, as shown in the table below.
Percentage of each nucleotide
Nucleotides Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
in DNA
A 29 31 30
T 31 29 30
C 21 20 19
G 19 21 20
3.2.1 Why did Watson and Crick consider results from three samples? (1)
3.2.2 What is the ratio of adenine to thymine in the overall experiment? (1)
3.2.3 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.2.2. (1)
3.2.4 Draw a pie chart illustrating the percentages of the different
nucleotides in sample 1. Show ALL working. (8)
(11)
3.3 Genetically modified organisms (GMO) bring new hope for medical cures,
promise to increase yields in agriculture and have the potential to help solve
the world's pollution and resource crisis.
There are also many objections to GMO, some stating that they are expensive
and a threat to our biodiversity.
3.3.1 Give TWO reasons why:
(a) The initial cost of production of GMO is high (2)
(b) GMO are considered a threat to biodiversity (2)
3.3.2 Apart from those in the text, state THREE objections that some
people have against the production of GMO. (3)
(7)
[30]
TOTAL SECTION B: 60
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 14 DBE/November 2012
NSC
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
4.1 Study the information about the discovery of a new species of
australopithecine in South Africa.
DISCOVERY OF A NEW SPECIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Professor Lee Berger a paleoanthropologist at the University of the
Witwatersrand, with the help of his 9-year-old son, found two fossils in South
Africa on 15 August 2008.
Berger and about 60 of his colleagues from all over the world, studied the
fossilized bone fragments before they announced their findings to the public
on 8 April 2010. Their findings were published in a scientific journal.
They presented it as a new species called Australopithecus sediba, dated to
approximately 1,78 to 1,95 million years ago. It consists of many primitive
features characteristic of other australopithecine species and more advanced
features typical of later Homo species.
The almost 2-million-year-old partial skeletons are thought to possibly be that
of the transitional species between Australopithecus africanus (such as the
famous Mrs Ples) and either Homo habilis or Homo erectus, the early
ancestors of humans.
Berger said that the brain, hand and foot have characteristics of both modern
and early pre-human forms. It represents a model that could have led to the
human genus Homo.
It was noted that the brain of A. sediba is small, like that of a chimpanzee, but
with a re-organisation more human-like, particularly with an expansion behind
and above the eyes.
[Adapted from http://www.sciencemag.org]
4.1.1 Explain why scientists took a long time to present their findings to
the public. (2)
4.1.2 Explain why it was important to publish their findings in a scientific
journal. (2)
4.1.3 Define the term transitional form. (2)
4.1.4 Use ONE characteristic from the passage to explain your answer to
QUESTION 4.1.3. (2)
4.1.5 State SIX similarities not mentioned in the passage above,
between Homo sapiens and other primates such as
Australopithecus sediba. (6)
(14)
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 15 DBE/November 2012
NSC
4.2 Study the phylogenetic tree of nine elephant species over six geologic time
periods from 55 million years ago (mya) to the present and answer the
questions below.
Eocene Oligocene Miocene Pliocene Pleistocene Present
D
E
C
A B F
G
H
I
55 mya 38 mya 24 mya 5 mya 2 mya 10 000 years
Time line (years)
A phylogenetic tree of nine elephant species
Key:
A: Palaeomastodon species B: Gomphotherium species
C: Primelaphus species D: Anancus species
E: Mammuthus species F: Elephas species
G: Loxodonta species H: Mammut species
I: Stegodon species
4.2.1 According to the phylogenetic tree above, which is the ancestral
species of ALL the named species? (1)
4.2.2 Name the TWO species of elephants that exist today. (2)
4.2.3 Name the immediate ancestor of the two species mentioned in
QUESTION 4.2.2. (1)
4.2.4 In which period did:
(a) The Anancus species first appear (1)
(b) The Stegodon species become extinct (1)
(6)
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Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 16 DBE/November 2012
NSC
4.3 One of the observations Darwin made during his study of pigeons was about
artificial selection. In 1859 Darwin and Wallace jointly proposed that new
species could develop by a process of natural selection.
Using examples, describe natural and artificial selection and also highlight the
differences between these two processes.
Content: (17)
Synthesis: (3)
(20)
NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow
charts or diagrams.
TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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