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SENIOR CERTIFICATE/
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LFSC.1
LIFE SCIENCES P1
NOVEMBER 2020(2)
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 16 pages.
MORNING SESSION
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Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 1 NSC November 2020 Question Paper
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 1 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2020, 16 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, memo linked when available.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2020. Question paper, 16 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2020
- Exam period
- NSC November Exam
- Paper
- 1
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 16
- File size
- 669.5 KB
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Life Sciences/P1 2 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
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 must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass,
where necessary.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
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Life Sciences/P1 3 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
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
numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D.
1.1.1 Which part controls the amount of light entering the eye?
A Cornea
B Iris
C Choroid
D Lens
1.1.2 Which ONE of the following refers to an aquifer?
A An increase in the temperature of water bodies as a result of
water from industries
B Planting of the same crop on the same area repeatedly
C An underground permeable rock saturated with water
D The release of water with chemicals from mines
1.1.3 The structure in the amniotic egg that removes waste products:
A Yolk sac
B Chorion
C Amnion
D Allantois
1.1.4 Which ONE of the following is CORRECT with regard to
astigmatism?
A Light cannot pass through the cornea
B Light cannot pass through the lens
C Refraction of light rays by the cornea is uneven
D The lens cannot become more rounded
1.1.5 Which structures secrete progesterone during pregnancy?
A Adrenal gland and corpus luteum
B Corpus luteum and placenta
C Thyroid gland and Graafian follicle
D Pituitary gland and Graafian follicle
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Life Sciences/P1 4 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.1.6 Which ONE of the following shows the correct sequence of an
impulse from the receptor in a simple reflex arc?
A Sensory neuron through the dorsal root motor neuron
through the ventral root effector
B Motor neuron through the dorsal root sensory neuron
through the ventral root effector
C Sensory neuron through the dorsal root effector motor
neuron through the ventral root
D Effector interneuron through the dorsal root motor
neuron through the ventral root
1.1.7 Which ONE of the following would be a disadvantage when a
biological method is used to control alien plant invasion?
A Able to control alien plants without the use of harmful
chemicals
B Some part of the alien plant may be left to regrow when
mechanically removed
C The species introduced might be alien in the area and
outcompete the indigenous species
D Chemicals might affect the indigenous plants in the area
1.1.8 Which ONE of the following is a consequence of the destruction of
wetlands?
A Increased biodiversity
B Decreased water availability
C Decreased global warming
D Increased water quality
1.1.9 Nocturnal animals have the ability to see clearly in the dark.
They have …
A bigger eyes.
B more rods in the retina.
C more cones in the retina.
D no blind spot.
1.1.10 Which ONE of the following is CORRECT regarding the
homeostatic control of glucose in the human body?
GLAND HORMONE EFFECT ON BLOOD
SECRETED GLUCOSE LEVEL
A Pancreas Insulin Increase
B Pituitary Glucagon Increase
C Pancreas Insulin Decrease
D Pancreas Glucagon Decrease
(10 x 2) (20)
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Life Sciences/P1 5 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
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 1.2.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 The layer in the atmosphere that protects living organisms from the
ultraviolet rays of the sun
1.2.2 The illegal hunting and killing of animals
1.2.3 A condition of the cell where there is only one set of chromosomes
1.2.4 The response of a part of a plant to a light stimulus
1.2.5 A hormone that stimulates ovulation in humans
1.2.6 The part of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres
1.2.7 The blood vessel that transports deoxygenated blood from the
foetus towards the placenta
1.2.8 A small device that is inserted in the ear to drain fluids caused by a
middle-ear infection
1.2.9 The branch of the autonomic nervous system that restores an
increased heart rate back to normal
1.2.10 A structure in the eye that absorbs light to prevent internal
reflection (10 x 1) (10)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN I apply 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 numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.3)
in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 The functional connection between A: Receptor
two consecutive neurons B: Synapse
1.3.2 The young develops and is nourished A: Ovipary
in an amniotic egg that is retained in B: Vivipary
the mother’s body
1.3.3 A reproductive strategy in vertebrates A: Altricial development
where internal fertilisation occurs B: Precocial development
(3 x 2) (6)
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Life Sciences/P1 6 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.4 The diagrams below show structures formed during human reproduction.
A B C
1 2 3 4
1.4.1 Identify part A. (1)
1.4.2 Name the organelle found in large numbers in part C. (1)
1.4.3 Give the NUMBER (1, 2, 3 or 4) only of the diagram that
represents the following:
(a) Morula (1)
(b) Structure that will implant in the uterus (1)
(c) Blastula/Blastocyst (1)
1.4.4 Give the LETTER and NAME of the part that will enter the ovum
during fertilisation. (2)
1.4.5 Name the type of cell division that occurred to produce the
structure in diagram 3. (1)
(8)
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Life Sciences/P1 7 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.5 The diagrams below show different neurons.
1 2 3 4
Give only the NUMBERS (1, 2, 3 or 4) of TWO neurons that:
1.5.1 Transport impulses from the receptor to the central nervous system (2)
1.5.2 Will have a faster transmission of impulses (2)
1.5.3 Are damaged if a person can feel the stimulus but is unable to
react (2)
(6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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Life Sciences/P1 8 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 The diagrams below show different parts of the brain and the ear.
D
A
E
C
B
I
F
G
H
2.1.1 Identify part:
(a) A (1)
(b) B (1)
(c) H (1)
2.1.2 Give the LETTER and NAME of the part of the ear that absorbs
excess pressure waves from the inner ear. (2)
2.1.3 Name the receptors found at part E. (1)
2.1.4 Explain why damage to part B can lead to instant death. (2)
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Life Sciences/P1 9 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
2.1.5 Describe how part C responds to impulses received from part D. (3)
2.1.6 In older people, part F of the ear may harden.
Explain how this condition may lead to hearing loss. (4)
(15)
2.2 Describe the accommodation of the eye for distant vision. (5)
2.3 Read the extract below.
AN OUTBREAK OF THYROTOXICOSIS
Thyrotoxicosis is a medical condition caused by high levels of thyroxin in the
blood. There was a sudden increase in the number of reported cases of this
condition in one city. They suspected that this was due to people eating
ground beef (minced meat) from a local butcher. The butcher added the
thyroid glands of cattle when he produced the ground beef. Some people who
ate this ground beef showed symptoms of increased heart rate, excessive
sweating and weight loss.
Doctors conducted an investigation to determine if the ground beef caused
the thyrotoxicosis. The normal thyroxin levels of 5 volunteers were measured.
They were then given cooked ground beef from the butchery to eat. Their
thyroxin concentration was measured every 4 hours on day 1 and then once
a day for the next 23 days. The average thyroxin levels was calculated and
recorded.
The results are shown in the graph below.
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Life Sciences/P1 10 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
THE AVERAGE CONCENTRATION OF THYROXIN IN
25 THE VOLUNTEERS AFTER EATING COOKED
GROUND BEEF CONTAINING THYROID GLAND
Average concentration of thyroxin
20
15
(µg/dl)
10
5
0 4 812 4 8 12 16 20 24
4 Days
Hours
2.3.1 Give the average normal thyroxin concentration (µg/dl) in the blood
of the volunteers. (1)
2.3.2 Calculate the percentage increase of the average thyroxin
concentration in the first 8 hours after eating the ground beef.
Show ALL working. (3)
2.3.3 Explain why thyrotoxicosis causes weight loss. (3)
2.3.4 Explain the expected concentration of TSH in the blood 8 hours
after eating the ground beef. (4)
(11)
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Life Sciences/P1 11 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
2.4 An investigation was done to determine the effect of a plant hormone on plant
growth:
The procedure was as follows:
Two pot plants (1 and 2) of the same species and age were used.
The apical buds of both plants were cut at the same length along the
stem.
The cut surface of plant 1 was sealed with petroleum jelly.
The cut apical bud of pot plant 2 was placed on a block of agar jelly for
2 hours.
The block of agar jelly was then placed on the cut surface of plant 2.
The plants were exposed to the same environmental conditions for
2 weeks.
The growth of both plants was observed at the end of this period.
The diagrams below show the results obtained.
Petroleum jelly Block of agar jelly
Lateral branch
Pot plant 1 Pot plant 2
2.4.1 State why the apical bud was placed on a block of agar jelly for 2
hours. (2)
2.4.2 Describe the results obtained for plant 1. (2)
2.4.3 Explain how fruit farmers can use the knowledge from the results in
QUESTION 2.4.2 to their benefit. (2)
2.4.4 Explain why the stem in pot plant 2 grew upwards. (3)
(9)
[40]
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Life Sciences/P1 12 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 The diagrams below represent two phases of meiosis.
A
B
C
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
3.1.1 Identify part A. (1)
3.1.2 Identify the phase represented by diagram 1. (1)
3.1.3 Describe the events that took place in the phase before the one
represented in diagram 2. (2)
3.1.4 Name the process that causes the chromosomes to have a
combination of genes as shown in the diagrams. (1)
3.1.5 Give ONE reason why the process named in QUESTION 3.1.4 is
important. (1)
3.1.6 If this was a human cell, how many chromosomes would be
present in the cell during the phase represented in diagram 1? (1)
3.1.7 Structure B and structure C are both chromosomes.
Explain why they are structurally different. (3)
(10)
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Life Sciences/P1 13 DBE/November 2020(2)
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3.2 The structure below represents a part of the female reproductive system.
A
B
C
D
3.2.1 Identify part D. (1)
3.2.2 State ONE function of part A. (1)
3.2.3 Describe the process of oogenesis as it occurs in part B. (4)
3.2.4 State ONE way in which structure C is suited for its function during
pregnancy (1)
3.2.5 A person undergoes a surgical operation to remove part B on both
sides.
Explain why this person will not menstruate. (3)
(10)
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Life Sciences/P1 14 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
3.3 Male hormone contraceptive (birth control) pills have been in development
for over 50 years. The pills contain a substance called TU, which inhibits the
secretion of testosterone. There is, however, no product available on the
market yet, mainly due to many side effects associated with the product.
An investigation was done to determine how TU affects male fertility.
The procedure was as follows:
308 healthy, male volunteers were selected.
A sperm count for each volunteer was done initially.
Each volunteer was given 500 mg of TU monthly over a period of
12 months.
During the period of the investigation, the volunteers were asked to
wear loose-fitting trousers and underwear made of the same light
fabric.
A sperm count was done weekly over a period of 24 months.
The average sperm count was calculated per volunteer.
NOTE: Sperm count refers to the total number of healthy sperm per ml of
semen and is an indication of male fertility.
3.3.1 Identify the dependent variable in the investigation. (1)
3.3.2 State how the dependent variable in QUESTION 3.3.1 was
measured. (1)
3.3.3 Name TWO other factors that should be considered when selecting
volunteers. (2)
3.3.4 Explain how TU reduces fertility. (2)
3.3.5 Explain why wearing tight-fitting trousers will decrease male
fertility. (2)
3.3.6 Suggest ONE reason for doing the sperm count for an additional
12 months after stopping the TU treatment. (1)
3.3.7 The contraceptive options that are currently available for men are
limited to condoms and vasectomy. Vasectomy involves the cutting
and tying of both the vas deferens.
Explain how a vasectomy prevents pregnancy. (2)
(11)
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Life Sciences/P1 15 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
3.4 The graph below shows the influence of a nitrogen-rich fertiliser on crop yield
and nitrogen pollution of a nearby water body.
EFFECTS OF A NITROGEN-RICH FERTILISER ON CROP YIELD AND
NITROGEN POLLUTION OF A WATER BODY
Crop yield and nitrogen pollution of a water body
Crop yield
Nitrogen pollution
Recommended amount
of nitrogen-rich fertiliser
Amount of nitrogen-rich fertiliser
3.4.1 Name the process whereby excess nutrients accumulate in a water
body. (1)
3.4.2 Explain why it will not economically benefit the farmer to use more
than the recommended amount of fertiliser. (3)
3.4.3 Suggest ONE reason why farmers are advised to apply fertilisers to
the soil during the dry season of the year. (1)
3.4.4 Explain the effect that an increase in nitrogen pollution will have on
the number of bacteria in the water. (4)
(9)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
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Life Sciences/P1 16 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
Describe how the human body maintains the temperature and carbon dioxide
concentration in the blood when they rise above normal limits.
Also, describe the importance of carbon dioxide in regulating atmospheric temperature,
and why increasing levels of carbon dioxide leads to global warming.
Content: (17)
Synthesis: (3)
[20]
i
NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow charts, tables or
diagrams.
TOTAL SECTION C: 20
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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