Downloaded from hlayiso.com
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES P2
VERSION 1 (NEW CONTENT) FOR FULL-TIME CANDIDATES
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 16 pages.
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Skip to contentAll 2012 papers 





View all





Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC Supplementary 2012 QP (Eng)
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the NSC Supplementary 2012 (English), 16 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC Supplementary · 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 Supplementary
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 16
- File size
- 351.2 KB
Free to read online, no sign-up needed
Loading document…
Loading document…
1 of 16
This exam
NSC Supplementary 2012
Questions in this paper
Document textSearch extracted text and jump to a page.
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 2 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 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 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. 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 drawn to scale.
9. Do NOT use graph paper.
10. You may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 3 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 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 1.1.9) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example
1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 All the organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with
which they interact are best described as a/an …
A community.
B ecosystem.
C habitat.
D population.
1.1.2 Which of the following is an example of predation?
A Bees visiting a flower
B Ticks on a dog
C A lion catching a zebra
D A bird's nest in a tree
1.1.3 Which ONE of the following refers to development in some birds
where the eggs hatch outside the body and the young are born
immobile and totally dependent on its parents?
A Vivipary and precocial development
B Ovipary and altricial development
C Vivipary and altricial development
D Ovipary and precocial development
1.1.4 Which ONE of the following is TRUE about seeds?
A Protect the gametes
B Provide the embryo with food from cotyledons
C Develop into a fruit
D Develop from an ovary
1.1.5 Which ONE of the following increases the chances of survival of a
species?
A Living individually
B Living in a colony with division of labour
C Having random breeding pairs
D Hunting for prey with different species
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 4 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
QUESTIONS 1.1.6 and 1.1.7 are based on the age-gender pyramid
shown below.
Age-gender pyramid of a population (in millions)
Male 81–90 years Female
71–80 years
61–70 years
51–60 years
41–50 years
31–40 years
21–30 years
11–20 years
0–10 years
3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3
1.1.6 The age-gender pyramid shown above is for a developed country
since …
A the number of newborn are high.
B there are more young people than old people.
C there are more females than males in each age group.
D the life expectancy of the population is high.
1.1.7 Which ONE of the following can be correctly deduced from the age-
gender pyramid shown above?
A There are less than 2 million people between 0 and 10 years
B There are more males than females in the age group
11 to 20 years
C The birth and death rates are about the same
D There are more females than males who are 50 years and older
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 5 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
1.1.8 The statements below refer to the action of different contraceptive
methods.
1. Inhibits the secretion of FSH
2. Increases the level of the hormone progesterone
3. Stops the embryo from implanting in the uterus
4. Stops ovulation by inhibiting the development of the follicle
Which combination refers to the action of the oral contraceptive pill
only?
A 1, 2 and 3 only
B 1, 2 and 4 only
C 1, 2, 3 and 4
D 2, 3 and 4 only
1.1.9 The statements below refer to adaptations of flowers for pollination.
1. Male and female flowers are found on different plants
2. Stigma below anthers
3. Male and female gametes mature at the same time
Which combination of adaptations refers to self-pollination?
A 1 and 2 only
B 1 and 3 only
C 2 and 3 only
D 1, 2 and 3 (9 x 2) (18)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 6 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 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 1.2.10) in your ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 A series of changes that take place during the life cycle of an insect
1.2.2 A fluid containing sperm cells
1.2.3 The maximum size of a population that can be supported by a
habitat under the conditions prevailing at any particular time
1.2.4 The relationship between two species in which both benefit from
the association
1.2.5 The use of resources in slightly different ways by different species
in the same habitat, allowing them to co-exist
1.2.6 The variety of species of living organisms that exist on Earth
1.2.7 The elimination of one species by another in a habitat as a result of
dependence on a common resource
1.2.8 The killing of surplus animals by humans to avoid the destruction of
the natural environment
1.2.9 The periodic movement out of and return to a habitat by living
organisms
1.2.10 A group of organisms, sharing similar characteristics, which are
able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring (10)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 7 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
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
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 This would have no effect on the A: Emigration
population size B: Immigration
1.3.2 A small portion of the population is A: Census
counted and then used to work out B: Simple sampling
the size of the whole population
1.3.3 Competition between cows and A: Inter-specific
goats for grass B: Intra-specific
1.3.4 A tube that stores sperm cells until A: Vas deferens
maturation B: Seminiferous tubules
1.3.5 The cell division that takes place in A: Meiosis
the gametophyte generation to form B: Mitosis
gametes
1.3.6 Relationship between two different A: Parasitism
species where one species benefits B: Commensalism
and the other is harmed
1.3.7 A change in the composition of A: Primary succession
species in a habitat that has never B: Secondary succession
been inhabited by organisms before
1.3.8 The mature community of plants A: Pioneer
that remains relatively stable with B: Climax
few, if any, changes over time
(8 x 2) (16)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 8 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
1.4 The diagram below represents the events leading to the development of the
foetus in the human uterus.
3
4
2
5
1 6
Part of the female reproductive system showing various stages in
the development of a foetus
Identify the following:
1.4.1 Part labelled 1
1.4.2 Cell labelled 2
1.4.3 Cell labelled 3
1.4.4 Structure labelled 4
1.4.5 Part labelled 5
1.4.6 Fluid labelled 6 (6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 9 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Study the diagram below showing a longitudinal section through an eye.
2
1 3
4
5
A longitudinal section through a human eye
2.1.1 Label parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. (4)
2.1.2 Name and describe the process that causes part 1 to dilate. (6)
2.1.3 State how the following defects can be treated to improve vision:
(a) Long-sightedness
(b) Astigmatism
(c) Cataract
(d) Short-sightedness (4)
(14)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 10 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
2.2 Study the diagram below showing a reflex arc.
A
B
Reflex arc
2.2.1 Identify the neuron labelled A. (1)
2.2.2 Name the type of neuron that is connected to structure B. (1)
2.2.3 Explain the effect on the body if the neuron mentioned in
QUESTION 2.2.2, is damaged. (3)
2.2.4 Explain the significance of reflex actions in humans. (2)
(7)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 11 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
2.3 Study the graph below showing the hormonal changes during pregnancy.
2.3.1 Identify the following structures:
(a) A
(b) B (2)
2.3.2 State the following:
(a) Where prolactin is produced
(b) The function of prolactin (2)
2.3.3 Explain the significance of the levels of oestrogen and progesterone
dropping towards the end of pregnancy. (2)
2.3.4 Explain what will happen if structure A breaks down at the end of the
first week of pregnancy. (2)
2.3.5 Suggest the role of oxytocin around week 40 of pregnancy. (1)
(9)
[30]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 12 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 The table below shows the changes in population size of a culture of bacteria,
grown in a petri dish in a laboratory at 20 oC.
Time (hours) Number of bacteria
in population
0 10
2 75
4 160
6 280
8 450
10 725
12 900
14 975
16 1 050
18 1 050
3.1.1 Use these results to plot a line graph. (9)
3.1.2 Explain the shape of the graph between:
(a) 6–12 hours (2)
(b) 16–18 hours (2)
3.1.3 Describe how the growth may change if the population of bacteria
is kept at 30 oC instead of 20 oC. (3)
(16)
3.2 A researcher wanted to know how many fish were in a dam. He caught 20 fish
and marked them by clipping out a small section of their tail fins. He then
released them back into the dam. A few days later he caught 25 fish and
found that 8 had been marked.
3.2.1 Estimate the total number of fish in the dam by using the following
formula:
P = F x S
M
P = Estimated total number of fish in the population
F = Number caught and marked in the first catch
S = Number caught in the second catch
M = Number marked in the second catch
Show ALL working. (3)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 13 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
3.2.2 Give ONE reason why the method used by the researcher to mark
the fish could have resulted in an inaccurate estimate of the fish
population in the dam. (2)
3.2.3 Explain ONE way in which the researcher could have increased the
reliability of his estimate of the fish population in the dam. (2)
(7)
3.3 The birth rate is the number of births per 1 000 people in the population whilst
the death rate is the number of deaths per 1 000 people in the population.
The table below shows the birth and death rates in three countries, A, B and
C, between 1960 and 2000.
Country Year
1960 1988 2000
A Birth rate 15,8 16,2 14,3
Death rate 12,3 11,5 10,9
B Birth rate 34,0 35,4 39,6
Death rate 22,7 21,5 19,4
C Birth rate 32,9 17,5 15,2
Death rate 17,7 7,4 6,6
3.3.1 Which country (A, B or C) had a decreasing birth rate from 1960 to
2000? (1)
3.3.2 Which country (A, B or C) is most likely a developing one? (1)
3.3.3 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.3.2. (1)
3.3.4 Explain TWO reasons why the death rate in all three countries had
decreased from 1960 to 2000. (4)
(7)
[30]
TOTAL SECTION B: 60
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 14 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
4.1 A group of Grade 12 learners carried out an investigation to determine the
effect of gibberellin on the germination of seeds.
The following procedure was followed:
• A sample of hazelnut seeds was divided into two groups, A and B.
• A gibberellin solution was added to the seeds in group A.
• Water was added to the seeds in group B.
• Both groups of seeds were allowed to geminate for 16 days.
• The percentage (%) of seeds germinating in the two groups was
recorded.
The results of the investigation are shown in the graph below.
Percentage germination of hazelnut seeds in gibberellin solution and
water over time
100
90
80
70
Germination (%)
60
Gibberellin
50
Water
40
30
20
10
0
0 4 8 12 16 20
Time (days)
4.1.1 Formulate a possible hypothesis for this investigation. (3)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 15 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
4.1.2 Using the information from the graph, determine the percentage
germination of hazelnut seeds on the 10th day with the gibberellin
treatment. (1)
4.1.3 Explain the purpose of group B. (2)
4.1.4 State TWO ways in which the validity of this investigation could
have been improved. (2)
4.1.5 Give ONE possible reason why seeds of desert plants germinate
only after heavy rains. (2)
(10)
4.2 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.
4.2.1 Label the parts numbered 1 and 4. (2)
4.2.2 Write down only the NUMBER of the gland that:
(a) Produces the hormone glucagon
(b) Produces a hormone that controls the growth of long bones
(c ) Produces an iodine-containing hormone
(d) Produces a hormone that is involved in the re-absorption of
some salts by the kidneys (4)
4.2.3 State TWO similarities between hormones and nerves with regard
to their functions. (2)
4.2.4 State ONE functional difference between hormones and motor
nerves. (2)
(10)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
Life Sciences/P2 (Version 1) (Full-time) 16 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
4.3 Describe the role of the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands in bringing
about changes to the blood vessels of the human skin and explain why these
changes take place. 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
Copyright reserved
Study this subject
Recommended for this subject

Question paper
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC Supplementary 2012 QP (Afr)

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC Supplementary 2012 Memo (Eng)

Question paper
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC Supplementary 2013 QP (Eng)

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2012 Memo (English)

Question paper
Life Sciences Grade 12 P1 NSC November 2012 QP (Eng)

Question paper
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2023 QP (Afr)
More from Grade 12 Life Sciences

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 Eastern Cape Mock 2025 Memo

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2025 Memo (Afr)

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 1 Free State Mock 2025 Memo

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 2 Free State Mock 2025 Memo

Memorandum
Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 2 Gauteng Mock 2025 Memo

Memorandum