# Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 2 NSC June 2016 Memo (English)

> Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC June Exam 2016 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-may-june-2016-memo-eng/fe553d1b-3738-41c5-af99-9c408c2ab868
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Life Sciences
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Memorandum
- Year: 2016
- Exam period: NSC June Exam
- Paper: 2
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 11

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Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC June Exam · 2016. Memorandum, 11 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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                     SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS

                                 LIFE SCIENCES P2

                                         2016

                                   MEMORANDUM

                                                                 MARKS: 150

                        This memorandum consists of 11 pages.

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Life Sciences/P2                               2                                        DBE/2016
                                              SCE

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES

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 a part of it is required
      Read all and credit the relevant part.

4.    If comparisons are asked for but descriptions are given
      Accept if the 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 become correct again, resume credit.

9.    Non-recognised abbreviations
      Accept if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognised
      abbreviation but credit the rest of the 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 recognisable, accept the answer, provided it does not mean something else in Life
    Sciences or if it is out of context.

13. If common names are given in terminology
    Accept, provided it was accepted at the national memo discussion meeting.

14. If only the letter is asked for but only the name is given (and vice versa)
    Do not credit.

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Life Sciences/P2                             3                                     DBE/2016
                                            SCE

15. If units are not given in measurements
    Candidates will lose marks. Memorandum will allocate marks for units separately.

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

17. Caption
    All illustrations (diagrams, graphs, tables, etc.) must have a caption.

18. Code-switching of official languages (terms and concepts)
    A single word or two that appear(s) 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. Changes to the memorandum
    No changes must be made to the memoranda without consulting the provincial
    internal moderator who in turn will consult with the national internal moderator (and
    the Umalusi moderators where necessary).

20. Official memoranda
    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.

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Life Sciences/P2                               4         DBE/2016
                                              SCE

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1       1.1.1       A
          1.1.2       D
          1.1.3       C
          1.1.4       B
          1.1.5       A
          1.1.6       C
          1.1.7       D
          1.1.8       C
          1.1.9       C
          1.1.10      C                              ( 10 x 2)       (20)

1.2       1.2.1       Dihybrid
          1.2.2       Biodiversity
          1.2.3       Foramen magnum
          1.2.4       Population
          1.2.5       Hypothesis
          1.2.6       Haemophilia
          1.2.7       Extinction
          1.2.8       Gene
          1.2.9       Bipedalism                        (9 x 1)       (9)

1.3       1.3.1       Yand Z                                         (2)
                      (Mark first TWO only)

          1.3.2       Y – Tau
                      Z – Chaka                                       (2)

          1.3.3       IAIA
                      IAi
                      (Any order)                                      (2)
                                                                       (6)

1.4       1.4.1       (a) 46                                          (1)

                      (b) 44                                          (1)

                      (c) 2                                           (1)

          1.4.2       23                                              (1)

          1.4.3       Male                                            (1)
                                                                       (5)

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Life Sciences/P2                              5                                DBE/2016
                                             SCE

1.5       1.5.1       (a)   Prophase I                                                      (1)

                      (b)   Metaphase II                                                    (1)

          1.5.2       (a)   Centriole                                                       (1)

                      (b)   Nuclear membrane/(nucleus)                                      (1)

                      (c)   Homologous pair/Bivalent                                        (1)

          1.5.3       (a) - Forms spindlefibres                                            (2)

                      (b)   Carries genetic/hereditary material                             (1)

          1.5.4       Haploid                                                               (1)

          1.5.5       Crossing over                                                         (1)
                                                                                             (10)

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION A:          50

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Life Sciences/P2                                  6                                     DBE/2016
                                                 SCE

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1    2.1.1       (a)    Whitefur                                                                   (1)

                   (b)    Blackfur                                                                   (1)

       2.1.2       (a)    1 and 3                                                                   (2)
                           (Mark first TWO only)
                   (b)    1                                                                          (1)
                           (Mark first ONE only)
       2.1.3
                    P1              Phenotype             Black     X    White
                                    Genotype                BB      X    bb
                    Meiosis
                                    G/gametes             B, B      X    b, b
                    Fertilisation
                    F1              Genotype             Bb;      Bb,    Bb;     Bb 

                                    Phenotype              All black
                                                          *0%white
                    P 1 and F 1 
                    Meiosis and fertilisation
                                                                  (*compulsory mark + 5)

                                                          OR

                    P1              Phenotype             Black     X    White
                                    Genotype                BB      X    bb

                    Meiosis
                                                   Gametes          B              B
                    Fertilisation                     b             Bb             Bb
                                                      b             Bb             Bb

                                                    1 mark for correct gametes
                                                    1 mark for correct genotypes

                    F1              Phenotype            All black
                                                         *0% white
                    P 1 and
                    F1
                    Meiosis and fertilisation                             (* compulsory              (6)
                                                                                mark + 5)             (11)

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Life Sciences/P2                              7                                  DBE/2016
                                             SCE

2.2       2.2.1       The two types of shrimp/ type A and B did not belong to the same
                      species/ were different species
                      (Mark first ONE only)                                                    (1)

          2.2.2       -   Individuals that belong to the same species are able to
                         interbreed
                      -   the two types of shrimps did not mate with each other and
                         therefore were unable to interbreed               Any (1 x 2)        (2)
                      (Mark first ONE only)

          2.2.3       To ensure that the results would be reliable                            (1)
                                                                                               (4)

2.3       -   The original population is separated into two populations
          -   by a geographical barrier
          -   There is no gene flow/no interbreeding between the populations
          -   Each population is exposed to different environmental conditions
          -   Natural selection occurred independently in each population
          -   and the individuals of each population became different from each other
              over time
          -   genotypically and phenotypically
          -   Even if the two populations were to mix again
          -   they would not be able to reproduce with each other
                                                                                  Any          (5)

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Life Sciences/P2                                 8                                   DBE/2016
                                                SCE

2.4       2.4.1       -     Ponds 1 and 2 should have identicalenvironmental/
                            biological/physical conditions/examples
                      -     Equal numbers of predatory fish in both ponds
                                                                             (Any 1 x 2)           (2)

          2.4.2       (a)     The type of predators                                               (1)

                      (b)    The number of spots                                                  (1)

          2.4.3       -     As a control/to compare the results between the ponds.
                      -     To ensure that any changes that occurred were due to the
                      -     presence of the predator/independent variable                         (3)

          2.4.4       -     There is variation amongst the male guppies
                      -     Some have more spots
                      -     while others have fewer spots
                      -     The ones that have more spots attract predators
                      -     and are eaten/killed by predators
                      -     The ones with fewer spots survived and reproduced
                      -     to pass the gene for fewer spots on to the next generation

                            Over a period of time, pond 1 with predators had guppies with
                            fewer spots                                               Any          (5)
                                                                                                   (12)

2.5       2.5.1       Phylogenetic tree                                                           (1)

          2.5.2       4                                                                           (1)

          2.5.3       (a)     Paranthropus                                                        (1)

                      (b)     Ardipithecus                                                        (1)

                      (c)     Paranthropus robustus                                               (1)

          2.5.4       Mrs Ples
                      Taung Child
                      Little Foot
                      (Mark first ONE only)                                         (Any 1)        (1)

          2.5.5       H. habilis
                      H. erectus
                      H. naledi
                      (Mark first TWO only)                                         (Any 2)        (2)
                                                                                                   (8)
                                                                                                   [40]

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Life Sciences/P2                                 9                                      DBE/2016
                                                SCE

QUESTION 3

3.1       3.1.1         High yield
                        Short stem                                                                  (2)

          3.1.2         hT                                                                          (1)
                        (Mark first ONE only)

          3.1.3         HHtt, Hhtt                                                                 (2)
                        (Mark first TWO only)

          3.1.4         Does not break easily in windy conditions/to carry a bigger yield/
                        easier to harvest                                           Any              (1)

          3.1.5         The plant breeder must cross plants of variety A (HHtt) with
                        plants of variety A(HHtt)                                                   (2)
                                                                                                     (8)
          3.2                                           T
                                Lamarckism                            Darwinism
                   1   Variation of the offspring        1 Variation in the offspring is
                       occurs when individuals in the      inherited
                       population change
                   2   Change occurs because of          2 Natural selection – individuals best
                       adaptation to the                   suited to the environment survive
                       environment/Law of use and
                       disuse/ deterministic theory
                   3   Individuals in the population     3 The population as a whole
                       change                             changes
                   4   Acquired characteristics are      4 Characteristic are passed on from
                       inherited by offspring             generation to generation to enable
                                                           individuals to survive in the
                                                           environment

          (Mark first THREE only)                                  (Any (3 x 2) + 1 for table)       (7)

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Life Sciences/P2                                10                                  DBE/2016
                                               SCE

3.3       3.3.1      -  Olfactory brain centres reduced/ reduced sense of smell
                     -  Eyes in front/ Binocular vision / stereoscopic vision
                     -  Eyes with cones/ colour vision
                     -  Freely rotating arms
                     -  Elbow joints allowing rotation of forearm
                     -  Flat nails instead of claws/ bare, sensitive finger tips
                     -  Opposable thumbs/precision grip
                     -  Bipedal/ upright posture / foramen magnum in a more
                        forward position
                     - Sexual dimorphism/ distinct differences between males and
                        females
                     - Two teats
                     - Parts of the brain that process information from the hands
                        and eyes are enlarged
                     - Long upper arms
                     - Large brains / skulls compared to their body mass
                     - Five digits per limb                                      Any             (5)
                     (Mark first FIVE only)
          3.3.2      (a) More curved spine/S-shape in humans
                         less curved/ C-shaped in apes                                           (2)

                     (b) Short and wide pelvis in humans
                         long and narrow pelvis in apes                                          (2)
          3.3.3      -      Canines/teeth have changed from large to small
                     -      This is due to a change from eating raw food
                     -      to eating cookedfood                                                 (4)
                                                                                                  (13)
3.4       3.4.1       2                                                                          (1)
          3.4.2       (a)     Albino female                                                      (1)

                      (b)     Aa                                                                (2)

          3.4.3       (a)     50%                                                                (1)

                      (b)     25%                                                                (1)
                                                                                                  (6)
3.5       -   A gene mutation affects the sequence of nitrogen bases/
              change in the individual nitrogen bases
          -   in DNA
          -   This changes transcription
          -   Resulting in a changed mRNA/codon
          -   which changes the order of the code on the DNA and the RNA/the order
              of the nitrogen bases
          -   A different amino acid may be coded for
          -   by tRNA leading to the formation of a different protein       (Any 6)              (6)
                                                                                                  [40]

                                                                    TOTAL SECTION B:              80

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Life Sciences/P2                                     11                                            DBE/2016
                                                    SCE

SECTION C
QUESTION 4
Location, structure and function
-   The DNA is located in the nucleus/chromosome/genes/mitochondria

-   DNA is a nucleic acid
-   It has a doublestranded
-   helix configuration
-   consisting of building blocks called nucleotides
    The three components of a nucleotide are as follows:
-   Nitrogenous bases
-   Phosphate portion
-   Deoxyribose sugar portion(in DNA)
-   4 nitrogenous bases are A,T,C,G of DNA:
-   adenine (A) bonds with thymine (T)
-   cytosine (C) bonds with guanine (G)
-   by hydrogen bonds

-   Sections of DNA carry hereditary information
-   DNA contains coded information for protein synthesis                                           Max          (10)
Replication

-   The double helix unwinds
-   Double stranded DNA unzips
-   as the weak hydrogen bonds break
-   Each original DNA strand serves as a template
-   Free nucleotidesbuild
-   a new DNA strandonto each of the original DNA strands
-   by attaching to their complementarynitrogenous bases/(A to T, and C to G)
-   this results in two identicalDNA molecule                                  Max                              (7)
                                                                            Content:                             (17)
                                                                           Synthesis:                            (3)
                                                                                                                 (20)
ASSESSING THE PRESENTATION OF THE ESSAY
 Criterion           Relevance (R)               Logical sequence (L)                  Comprehensive (C)
Generally    All information provided is    Ideas are arranged in a              Answered all aspects required
             relevant to the question.      logical/cause-effect sequence.       by the essay in sufficiently
                                                                                 detail.
In this      All the information provided   The information given regarding      At least the following marks
essay in     is relevant to the location,   the location, structure, functions   should be obtained for:
Q4           structure, functions of DNA    of the DNA and the replication       - location, structure and
             and the replication process.   process is arranged in a logical       functions of the DNA (7/10)
                                            and sequential manner.               - DNA replication (4/7)
             There is no irrelevant
             information
Mark                       1                                1                                  1

                                                                                    TOTAL SECTION C: 20
                                                                                       GRAND TOTAL: 150

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