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GRAAD 12
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 10
LIFE SCIENCES P2
EXEMPLAR 2012
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
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Life Sciences Grade 10 P2 National Exemplar 2012 QP (Eng)
Grade 10 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the National Exemplar Exam 2012 (English), 15 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 10 · National Exemplar Exam · 2012. Question paper, 15 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 10
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2012
- Exam period
- National Exemplar Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 15
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National Exemplar Exam 2012
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Life Sciences/P2 2 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
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. Answer the questions according to the instructions of each question.
6. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams and 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/P2 3 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
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
number (1.1.1–1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 Which of the following is an abiotic component?
A Vegetation
B Animals
C Orange trees
D Water
1.1.2 Which of the following describes a community within an ecosystem?
A All the animals in an area
B All the plants in an area
C All the plants and animals in an area
D The total number of one species in an area
1.1.3 Refer to the features listed below:
(i) Large surface area
(ii) In close contact with tissue cells
(iii) Thin walled
Which combination of features applies to the capillary network?
A (i) and (ii) only
B (ii) and (iii) only
C (i) and (iii) only
D (i), (ii) and (iii)
1.1.4 The five-kingdom system proposed by Whittaker uses the following
taxa to classify organisms:
A Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
B Eubacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
C Bacteria, Archae, Eukaryotes, Plantae, Animalia
D Archaebacteria, Protista, Eukaryotes, Plantae, Animalia
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Life Sciences/P2 4 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
1.1.5 As part of an ecological study the biomass of organisms in a
community was estimated. The table below shows the biomass.
ORGANISM BIOMASS (kg)
R 50
S 10
T 250
U 200
V 3 000
W 75
From the data above, which ONE of the following would be a
probable food chain?
A S W U V
B T V R S
C U T W R
D V T W S
1.1.6 A person who studies fossils is a/an ...
A archaeologist.
B palaeontologist.
C anthropologist.
D radiologist.
1.1.7 Which system of classification gives every species a two-part name?
A Taxonomic system
B Hierarchical system
C Two-kingdom system
D Binomial system
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Life Sciences/P2 5 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
QUESTIONS 1.1.8 and 1.1.9 are based on the diagrams below.
1 2
3 4
1.1.8 The diagrams above illustrate ...
A tectonic plates.
B continental drift.
C asteroid impact.
D volcanic activity.
1.1.9 The correct sequence of events during the above process is …
A 4, 3, 2, 1.
B 1, 3, 4, 2.
C 1, 2, 3, 4.
D 1, 4, 3, 2.
(9 x 2) (18)
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Life Sciences/P2 6 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.10) in the ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 Plants that are adapted to live in dry habitats
1.2.2 A group of food chains arranged to show how feeding of organisms
is connected
1.2.3 All the substances having a pH less than 7
1.2.4 The inelastic membrane that forms a layer around the heart
1.2.5 An operation performed to redirect blood away from a blocked
portion of a coronary artery by attaching a small vein taken from
the leg or arm
1.2.6 The height above sea level
1.2.7 The variety of living organisms on Earth
1.2.8 The representation of a timescale that shows the history of life on
Earth
1.2.9 Limestone caves, north-west of Johannesburg, where the largest
amount of hominid fossils in the world is found
1.2.10 The death of all individuals of a species in the world (10 x 1) (10)
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Life Sciences/P2 7 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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 (1.3.1–1.3.11) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 The position of an area in relation to the sun A: Aspect
B: Slope
1.3.2 Organisms that feed on dead or decaying A: Saprophytes
matter B: Carnivores
1.3.3 A place which is occupied by an organism in A: Habitat
an ecosystem and the interaction with it and B: Niche
other organisms
1.3.4 The part of the Earth where life is found A: Atmosphere
B: Hydrosphere
1.3.5 The loss of water in vapour form A: Transpiration
B: Evaporation
1.3.6 When carbon dioxide is removed from the A: Respiration
atmosphere B: Photosynthesis
1.3.7 Species found only in one specific area and A: Indigenous
nowhere else in the world B: Endemic
1.3.8 The type of organism regarded as a link A: Dinosaur
between fish and amphibians B: Coelacanth
1.3.9 A fossil that has characteristics of organisms A: Transitional fossils
belonging to two different taxa B: Cast fossils
1.3.10 Early land plants in the Grahamstown area A: Club mosses
B: Archaebacteria
1.3.11 Possible cause of the sixth mass extinction A: Climate change
B: Human impact
(11 x 2) (22)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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Life Sciences/P2 8 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 The diagram below represents a food chain in a garden.
'n VOEDSELKETTING IN 'n TUIN
Roos
Rose Greenfly Ladybird Blackbird
A food chain in a garden
2.1.1 Name the organism above that represents the following:
(a) Herbivore (1)
(b) Producer (1)
2.1.2 A rose bush contains 1 000 kJ/m2/year of energy and only 10% of
this energy is passed on at each trophic level of the food chain. How
much energy will be passed on to the blackbird? Show ALL your
calculations. (4)
2.1.3 If all the greenflies in this garden were removed, explain what would
happen to the populations of the following:
(a) Rose plants (2)
(b) Ladybirds (2)
(c) Blackbirds (2)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P2 9 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
2.2 Three soil samples, taken from different regions, were analysed for air content,
permeability to water and humus content. The results obtained are shown in
the table below.
SOIL SAMPLE A B C
Air content (%) 30 10 60
Permeability to water (mℓ of water passing 20 5 70
through 100 g of soil per minute)
Humus content (%) 25 10 5
2.2.1 According to the results above, which soil sample (A, B or C) would
be as follows:
(a) Loam (1)
(b) Clay (1)
(c) Sand (1)
2.2.2 Explain the disadvantages for the plants growing in soil sample B
with regard to the permeability to water. (2)
2.2.3 Name TWO factors relating to the composition of soil sample B that
resulted in its low permeability to water. (2)
2.2.4 State TWO advantages of a higher percentage of humus for the
soil. (2)
(9)
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Life Sciences/P2 10 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
2.3 Read the passage below and answer the questions which follow.
The Cape floral kingdom is the smallest of the world's floral kingdoms. It is
home to more endemic and indigenous plants than in any other region in
South Africa. Approximately 70% of the 9 000 plant species in this area are
found nowhere else in the world.
The vegetation of this biome, which is mostly small bushes, grows in nutrient
poor soil. They also survive the long dry summer conditions, as well as
frequent fires.
The flora of the Cape is threatened, amongst others, by alien vegetation, as
well as habitat destruction by humans. Already numerous species are extinct
from this biome. Hence, its conservation is a national conservation priority.
In a bid to save this biome, there are several projects aiming at encouraging
responsible travel to natural areas in order to conserve the environment, as
well as improving the well-being of local communities.
2.3.1 What is the name of the biome in the extract above? (1)
2.3.2 Define a biome. (1)
2.3.3 Give TWO reasons for the habitat destruction by humans. (2)
2.3.4 Give TWO possible reasons why humans need to conserve nature. (2)
2.3.5 Calculate the total number of species that are endemic to this
biome. Show your working. (3)
2.3.6 Name the type of tourism mentioned in the passage. (1)
2.3.7 Name TWO ways in which the local communities benefit from the
type of tourism mentioned in QUESTION 2.3.6. (2)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P2 11 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
2.4 Study the diagrammatic representation below showing a transverse section
through a vein and an artery.
1
2
3
A B
2.4.1 Which diagram (A or B) represents an artery? (1)
2.4.2 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.4.1. (2)
2.4.3 Which blood vessel (A or B) has valves? (1)
2.4.4 Provide the labels for the parts numbered:
(a) 1 (1)
(b) 2 (1)
(c) 3 (1)
(7)
[40]
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Life Sciences/P2 12 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
QUESTION 3
3.1 Study the two fossils (Diagram A and Diagram B) which were discovered and
classified as transitional fossils.
DIAGRAM A
DIAGRAM B
3.1.1 What is the scientific name of the prehistoric bird in Diagram A? (2)
3.1.2 Explain why scientists concluded that this prehistoric bird is a
transitional fossil. (4)
3.1.3 Describe how this fossil could have been formed. (4)
3.1.4 Name the organism illustrated by Diagram B and state where it
was found in South Africa. (2)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P2 13 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
3.2 Study the table below that shows the decay of carbon-14 over time and then
answer the questions that follow.
DECAY OF CARBON-14
Years from the
present 0 5 730 11 460 17 190 22 920 X 34 380 40 110
Number of half-
lives elapsed 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Percentage of
original carbon-14 100 50 25 12,5 6,25 Z 1,56 0,78
remaining
3.2.1 Name TWO types of methods used to determine the age of fossils. (2)
3.2.2 Calculate the value of:
(a) X (2)
(b) Z (2)
3.2.3 Explain why it would not be possible to date a fossil which existed
80 million years ago using the decay of carbon-14. (2)
3.2.4 Give TWO reasons why there are gaps in the fossil records. (2)
(10)
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Life Sciences/P2 14 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
3.3 Study the graph below which shows the major extinction events and answer
the questions that follow.
Simplified geological timescale and number of families
Palaeozoic Mesozoic Cenozoic
3.3.1 When did the Cenozoic era begin? (2)
3.3.2 Which mass extinction took place towards the end of the
Palaeozoic era? (1)
3.3.3 Approximately how many families of species died out at the end
of the Palaeozoic era? Show ALL working. (3)
3.3.4 Explain why the number of families of organisms rapidly increased
after each mass extinction. (3)
(9)
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Life Sciences/P2 15 DBE/2012
NSC – Grade 10 Exemplar
3.4 The following questions are based on the extinction of dinosaurs on Earth.
3.4.1 What evidence do scientists use to show that dinosaurs once
existed on Earth? (1)
3.4.2 How long ago did the dinosaurs become extinct? (2)
3.4.3 Describe a hypothesis that has been proposed for the extinction of
many species, including the dinosaurs, during the time mentioned
in QUESTION 3.4.2. (6)
(9)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
Describe pulmonary circulation (the blood flow between the heart and the lungs) and
explain how the heart is suited to perform its function.
Content: (17)
Synthesis: (3)
NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow charts or
diagrams.
TOTAL SECTION C: 20
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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