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

> Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC Supplementary 2012 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-feb-march-2012-memo-eng-version-2/62f5811f-5098-444d-bb69-1c480216bf8f
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Life Sciences
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Memorandum
- Year: 2012
- Exam period: NSC Supplementary
- Paper: 2
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 11

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

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### Page 1

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                                  NATIONAL
                             SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                                   GRADE 12

                               LIFE SCIENCES P2

         VERSION 2 (OLD CONTENT) FOR PART-TIME CANDIDATES

                            FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

                                 MEMORANDUM

MARKS: 150

                       This memorandum consists of 11 pages.

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-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 are
          incorrect, do not credit. If sequence and links becomes correct again, resume
          credit.

9.        Non-recognized abbreviations
          Accept if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognised
          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/P2 (Version 2) (Part-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
          Memorandum will allocate marks for units separately, except where it is
          already given in the question.

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

17.       Caption
          Credit will be given for captions to all illustrations (diagrams, graphs, tables,
          etc.) except where it is already given in the question.

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. In exceptional cases,
          the Provincial Internal Moderator will consult with the National Internal
          Moderator (and the External moderators if necessary).

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

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           4                      DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1       1.1.1        B33
          1.1.2        B33
          1.1.3        A33
          1.1.4        C33
          1.1.5        D33                                                         (5 x 2)       (10)

1.2       1.2.1        Non-biodegradable3
          1.2.2        Biogeography3
          1.2.3        Extinct3
          1.2.4        Vestigial3/vestige
          1.2.5        Biodiversity3
          1.2.6        Continental drift3                                                        (6)

1.3       1.3.1        A only33/A
          1.3.2        Both A and B33/A and B/Both
          1.3.3        Both A and B33/A and B/Both
          1.3.4        A only33/A
          1.3.5        Both A and B33/A and B/Both
          1.3.6        B only33/B
          1.3.7        Both A and B33/A and B/Both                                 (7 x 2)       (14)

1.4       1.4.1        Jurassic period3                                                          (1)

          1.4.2         -   In the beginning of the Tertiary Period the number of reptile
                            species was large3
                        -   and decreased 3 towards the middle of the period
                        -   Towards the end of the Tertiary Period the number of reptile
                            species remained stable.3
                        -   In the beginning of the Tertiary Period the number of mammal
                            species was very small3
                        -   but towards the end of the Tertiary Period the number of
                            mammal species increased3                             (any 4)        (4)

          1.4.3        Fish3 and amphibians3                                                     (2)

          1.4.4        Birds are more closely related to reptiles3. They share3 a(n)
                       immediate/more recent common ancestor3                                    (3)
                                                                                                 (10)

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           5                       DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

1.5       1.5.1        - Wear rubber gloves when taking the samples3 so as not to get
                         contaminated with germs3
                       - Samples should be taken by using a container/bottle attached to
                         a string 3 to avoid stepping too close to the river bank/prevent
                         drowning/falling into water /contamination
                       (Mark first TWO only)                                                      (4)

          1.5.2        Temperature of the human body3 at which the bacterium normally
                       lives3/E coli normally lives in the large intestine of humans/human
                       body temperature is 37˚C/ to allow bacteria to reproduce33                 (2)

          1.5.3        River Y3                                                                   (1)

          1.5.4        The chemical indicator changed colour which indicates the
                       presence of E. coli3/which is a positive test for E. coli                  (1)

          1.5.5        - Lack /Absence of proper sewage systems3/poor hygiene/
                         bacteria in water results in faeces getting into water 3
                       - People swimming/washing in the river 3                                   (2)
                                                                                                  (10)

                                                                     TOTAL SECTION A:             50

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           6                        DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1       2.1.1        803km                                                                        (1)

          2.1.2         As we move away from the city centre the number of lichens3
                        and white moths increase3while the number of dark moths3
                        decrease3                                                                   (4)

          2.1.3        Since industrial areas are more polluted3and lichens grow
                       in unpolluted areas3/are sensitive to pollution                              (2)

          2.1.4        The number of white moths will increase3 and the
                       number of black moths will decrease3                                         (2)

          2.1.5        - Less pollutants will be released3 and the tree trunks will be
                         lighter /less dark and therefore3
                       - The light moths are less visible3 / while the dark moths will be
                         more visible to predators
                       - And will suffer a lower/higher mortality3
                       - White moths are better camouflaged3/dark moths are not
                         camouflaged                                                   (any)        (4)
                                                                                                    (13)

2.2       2.2.1        An increase/decrease in the concentration of sodium disulphate3
                       will result in an increase/decrease in the percentage germination3
                       of oat seeds
                                                        OR
                       An increase/decrease in the concentration of sodium disulphate3
                       will have no effect on the percentage germination of oat seeds3              (2)

          2.2.2        Concentration of sodium disulphate 3                                         (1)

          2.2.3        Temperature3
                       Water3
                       Light3
                       Nutrients/minerals3
                       Mark first TWO only)                                            (any)        (2)

          2.2.4        To determine the average estimate3 which increases reliability 3             (2)

          2.2.5        12+13+14+11+12/62÷1003
                       = 62%3                                                                       (2)

          2.2.6        When oats seeds were germinated in 0,00% concentration of
                       sodium disulphate germination percentage was high3compared to
                       when germinated in 2,50% concentration of sodium disulphate3                 (2)
                                                                                                    [11)

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           7                         DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

2.3      2.3.1       Natural selection 3
                                                                                                    (1)
         2.3.2       As a result of genetic variation 3 in the cactus population some plants
                     have thorns 3 and others do not.
                     The buck prefers to eat the cactus without the thorns3 – the cactus
                     without thorns will not survive 3
                     The cactus with thorns will survive3 and
                     reproduce 3 offspring with thorns
                     Genes 3 /genotype for thorns were passed on to subsequent
                     generations.                                                         (any) (5)
                                                                                                (6)
                                                                                                [30]

QUESTION 3

3.1     3.1.1 The limbs are similar in structure9 suggesting a
              similar/common origin/ancestor9                                                        (2)

        3.1.2 The bones are long9/thin and therefore light to enable the bat to fly 9
                                        OR
              The thin membrane9 forms a wing9/large surface area for flying3                       (2)
                                                                                                    (4)

3.2       3.2.1         A – Gorilla3
                        B – Modern Human3                                                           (2)
          3.2.2

                   Gorilla/A                                  Modern human/B
  1. Canines well developed3/form fangs           1. Canines not well developed 3
  2. Sloping face3                                2. Flat face3
  3. Brow-ridge well developed3                   3. Brow-ridge less developed3
  4. Proportionally smaller cranium3/brain        4. Proportionally large cranium3/brain
  5. Proportionally wider cheek bone3             5. Proportionally narrower cheek bone3
  6. Sagittal crest3 on top of the skull          6. No sagittal crest3
  7. Foramen magnum towards the back3             7. Foramen magnum towards the
     of the skull                                    centre3of the skull/more forward
  8. Chin not well developed3                     8. Chin well developed3
  9. No pronounced forehead3                      9. Pronounced forehead3
       (Mark first FOUR only)                                                         (any 4 x 2)
                                                                                 1 mark for table
                                                                                               (9)

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           8                      DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

          3.2.3        B3                                                                        (1)

          3.2.4        - Allows total awareness3 of the environment in sensing                   (2)
                         danger3/looking for food
                       - Enables hands to be free3 to use implements3/carry objects or
                         offspring/throw/protect
                       - Exposes a large surface area3 for thermo-regulation3/lose
                         body heat to surroundings in hot conditions/reduce overheating
                         therefore reduce need for water
                       - Small surface area exposed to the sun3, thus reducing over-
                         heating3
                       - Display of male/female sex organs3 as part of courtship                 (4)
                         behaviour3
          3.2.5          (Mark first TWO only)                               (any 2 x 2)

                       -  Capable of upright posture3
                       -  Long upper arms3
                       -  Freely rotating arms3
                       -  Elbow joints allowing rotation of forearm3
                       -  Rotate hands at least 180º3
                       -  Flat nails instead of claws3/bare finger tips
                       -  Opposable thumbs3/which work in opposite direction to their
                          fingers
                       - Large brains/cranium compared to their body mass3
                       - Eyes in front3/binocular vision/stereoscopic vision
                       - Eyes with cones3/colour vision
                       - Sexual dimorphism3/distinct differences between male and
                          female
                       - Olfactory brain centres reduced3/reduced sense of smell
                       - Parts of the brain that process information from the hands and          (1)
                          eyes are enlarged3                                                     (17)
                       - Two mammary glands only3                                     any
                        (Mark first ONE only)

3.3        Uranium3 will be used, because dinosaurs lived 66 million 3
           years ago and carbon-14 can only measure up to 57303 years ago                        (3)

3.4       3.4.1        53 mya3                                                                   (2)

          3.4.2        A3                                                                        (1)

          3.4.3        Chimpanzee 3                                                              (1)

          3.4.4        98,63%3                                                                   (2)
                                                                                                 (6)
                                                                                                 [30]

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION B:              60

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)                                    9                           DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                                                    NSC – Memorandum

SECTION C
QUESTION 4
4.1       4.1.1

                                                              Annual catches of herring and cod over 8 years

                                                    400

                      Catches (thousands of tons)
                                                    350
                                                    300
                                                    250
                                                    200                                                        Herring
                                                    150                                                        Cod
                                                    100
                                                     50
                                                      0
                                                          1   2    3    4    5     6    7    8    9
                                                                            Year

           Rubric for the mark allocation of the graph
           Correct type of graph                                                            1
           Title of graph (both                                                             1
           variables)
           Correct label for X-axis                                                         1
           Graphs labelled/key                                                              1
           provided for 2 graphs
           Correct label for Y-axis                                                         1
           including unit
           All points joined for graph A                                                     1
           All points joined for graph B                                                     1
           Appropriate scale for X-axis                                                      1
           Appropriate scale for Y-axis                                                      1
           Drawing of the graphs                                        1–1 to 8 points plotted correctly
                                                                        2–9 to 15 points plotted correctly
                                                                        3–all 16 points plotted accurately
                                                                                                                         (12)
NOTE:
If the wrong type of graph is drawn:
− marks will be lost for 'correct type of graph'
−    marks will be lost for joining of points
If graphs are not drawn on the same system of axes
− mark the first graph only using the given criteria
If axes are transposed:
− marks will be lost for labelling of X - axis and Y- axis
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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           10                      DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

          4.1.2        Herring population shows a sharp decline3 from year 1 to 23
                       and then a steady decline3 until year 7 3and then a small
                       increase3                                                   (any)          (4)

          4.1.3        - Limit the size of fish caught3
                       - Limit the number/quotas of fish caught3
                       - Limit the fishing area3
                       - License to fish3
                       - Develop legislation3to regulate fishing
                       - Heavy penalties for flouting the legislation3
                       - Scientific research3 to inform legislation
                       - Minimal or no fishing during breeding season3/limited
                         fishing season
                       - Education and awareness of endangered species3
                       - Encourage mariculture3/sea farming
                       - Discouraging illegal market by government selling it at lower
                          price3
                       - Stricter monitoring3
                       (Mark first TWO answers only)                                 (any)        (2)
                                                                                                  (18)
4.2       4.2.1        Testical tumours3
                       Enlargement of prostate gland3
                       Urinary infections3
                       Constipation3
                       HIV/AIDS3
                       Cancer3                                                       (any)        (2)
                       (Mark first TWO only)

          4.2.2        Sustainable harvesting3
                       Research3- done to look at reproductive cycle
                       Legislation3- control harvesting
                       Penalties 3for breaking legislation
                       Education3/campaign
                       Establish nurseries3
                       Establish more nature reserves3
                       Provision of free3/cheaper food -
                       (Mark first THREE only)                                 (any 3 x 1)        (3)

          4.2.3        Plants can become extinct3/lead to loss in biodiversity
                       Food chains/webs can be destroyed3
                       Shortage of food3
                       Could lead to degradation of the environment3
                       Erosion of ground surface if too many plants are removed3
                       Increase run-off of water3
                       Destroy habitats of many organisms3
                       Alien plant invasion3
                       Upset the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide3/global warming
                       (Mark first TWO only)                                                      (2)
                                                                                                  (7)

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Life Sciences/P2 (Version 2) (Part-time)           11                    DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
                                           NSC – Memorandum

4.3       Management strategies to manage solid waste

          Landfill and burning with energy recovery3
          - Utilise the heat generated 3from the burning of landfill sites to
             generate electricity3 thus saving on the electricity bill3
          - Investigate methods to collect and utilise methane gas as a fuel3      (any)      (3)

          Recovery and recycling3
          - Encourage citizens of the city to put different types of waste3 into
            different waste containers3/bins of different colours
          - Partnership with recycling companies for improved collection of
            different wastes3
          - Fines3 for people that do not separate the waste into different bins
          - This could generate income3 and reduce the transport cost 3
          - Educate people to use organic waste3 for example to
            make compost3 which could fertilise soil, they can plant vegetables    (any)      (3)
           Educate citizens and companies to reuse3 waste
          - Glass3 containers for milk, cold drinks and alcohol etc.
          - This will reduce the need to produce more of these items3
          - thus saving energy and money3                                          (any)      (3)
          Reducing waste3

          -   Charge/penalties people extra if they generate more waste3
          -   Encourage citizens to manage waste more efficiently3/renewable                  (3)
                                                                                              (12)

ASSESSING THE PRESENTATION OF THE ESSAY
Marks                                    Description
  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)
                                                                                              (15)

                                                                  TOTAL SECTION C:            40
                                                                     GRAND TOTAL:             150

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