# Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 2 NSC June 2017 Memo (English) > Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC June Exam 2017 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-may-june-2017-memo-eng/ac055537-b682-4f91-8ae5-b842212979ad - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: Life Sciences - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Memorandum - Year: 2017 - Exam period: NSC June Exam - Paper: 2 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 11 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Life Sciences](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/life-sciences) › [Life Sciences Grade 12 Paper 2 NSC June 2017 Memo (English)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-may-june-2017-memo-eng/ac055537-b682-4f91-8ae5-b842212979ad) ## About this document Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC June Exam · 2017. Memorandum, 11 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Downloaded from hlayiso.com SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS LIFE SCIENCES P2 2017 MARKING GUIDELINES MARKS: 150 These marking guidelines consist of 11 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 2 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 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. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 3 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 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 learner's 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. The provincial internal moderator must be consulted, 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. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 4 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1 1.1.1 A 1.1.2 B 1.1.3 A 1.1.4 C 1.1.5 C 1.1.6 NO CORRECT ANSWER 1.1.7 D 1.1.8 C 1.1.9 D 1.1.10 C ( 9 x 2) (18) 1.2 1.2.1 Locus 1.2.2 Australopithecus 1.2.3 Pedigree diagram 1.2.4 Peptide bond 1.2.5 Interphase 1.2.6 (Homo) habilis 1.2.7 Stem/ meristematic cells 1.2.8 Artificial selection/selective breeding (8 x 1) (8) 1.3 1.3.1 Both A and B 1.3.2 Both A and B 1.3.3 None (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 1.4.1 B- Cranium  C- Brow ridge (2) 1.4.2 Canine (1) 1.4.3 (a) I ; II (Mark first TWO only) (2) (b) II (Mark first ONE only) (1) (c) III (Mark first ONE only) (1) (d) III (Mark first ONE only) (1) 1.4.4 C (1) 1.4.5 III  I  II (2) (11) 1.5 1.5.1 100% (1) 1.5.2 Non-haemophiliac female /Normal female (1) 1.5.3 (a) XhY  (1) (b) XH Xh  (2) (5) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 5 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines QUESTION 2 2.1 2.1.1 mRNA/messenger RNA (1) 2.1.2 (a) Nitrogenous base (1) (b) Ribose (1) 2.1.3 - The double stranded DNA molecule unwinds - and unzips/separates - when the hydrogen bonds break  - One strand is used as a template - to form mRNA - using free RNA nucleotides from the nucleoplasm - The mRNA is complementary to the DNA/A-U, C-G - This process is controlled by enzymes Any 5 (5) (8) 2.2 2.2.1 - Crossing over - Random arrangement of chromosomes/ OR Independent/random assortment of chromosomes meiosis - Random fertilisation - Random mating Any 3 (3) (Mark first THREE only) 2.2.2 - Continuous variation occurs when there is a range of phenotypes for the same characteristic/has intermediate forms, - whereas discontinuous variation occurs when phenotypes fit into separate or distinct categories/with no intermediate forms (2) (5) 2.3 2.3.1 (a) GGT (1) (b) AAA (1) (c) UCA (1) 2.3.2 (a) 1 (1) (b) 198 (1) (c) 66 (1) 2.3.3 - One of the base triplets on the DNA has changed - from ACG to ACC - The triplet ACG codes for the amino acid cysteine - while the triplet ACC codes for the amino acid tryptophan - resulting in a change in the sequence of amino acids Any 4 (4) (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 6 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 2.4 2.4.1 (a) Temperature (1) (b) Number of clover plants that survived/percentage survival (1) 2.4.2 - Repeat the investigation - Set up more greenhouses at each temperature - Use a larger sample of clover plants - Increase the period of the investigation Any 2 (2) (Mark first TWO only) 2.4.3 They counted the number of clover plants that survived and divided it by the original number/200 then multiplied it by 100 (2) 2.4.4 - The hypothesis will be accepted - because there are more clover plants/higher percentage survival - at the higher temperature OR - The hypothesis will be accepted - because there are fewer clover plants/ lower percentage survival - at the lower temperature (3) 2.4.5 - The bitter tasteof the cyanide in the clover plants - prevents herbivores/predators from feeding on them (2) 2.4.6 - The mutation caused variation amongst the clover plants - Some produce cyanide and - others do not produce cyanide - The cyanide-producing plants are killed at lower temperatures - The non-cyanide-producing plants survive at the lower temperatures and reproduce - The allele for cyanide production is not passed on to the next generation - decreasing the number of cyanide producing clover plants in the next generation Any 6 (6) (17) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 7 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines QUESTION 3 3.1 3.1.1 - A pair of chromosomes that are similar in length - Carry genes for the same characteristics - Have alleles at the same loci - Have the same centromere position - One is obtained from each parent Any 2 (2) (Mark first TWO only) 3.1.2 Spindle fibre (1) 3.1.3 (a) 8 (1) (b) 4 (1) 3.1.4 chromatid cell membrane nuclear membrane centrosome nucleoplasm chromosome cytoplasm centromere Telophase I Criteria to mark diagram Single cell is drawn (S) 1 Only 2 replicated chromosomes in drawing (T) 1 One replicated chromosome longer than the other (L) 1 Caption 1 Any TWO correct labels 2 (6) 3.1.5 (a) RrTt (1) (b) RT, rt (2) (14) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 8 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 3.2 P1 Phenotype Blood type A x Blood type B* Genotype IAi x IBi* Meiosis G/gametes IA, i x IB, i  Fertilisation F1 Genotype IAIB; IA i; IBi ii Phenotype Blood type AB Blood type O  P 1 and F 1  Meiosis and fertilisation OR P1 Phenotype Blood type A x Blood type B* Genotype IAi x IBi* Meiosis Gametes IA i Fertilisation IB A B I I I i B i IA i ii 1 mark for correct gametes 1 mark for correct genotypes F1 Phenotype Blood type AB and Blood type O  P 1 and F1 (6) Meiosis and fertilisation *compulsory 2 + any 4 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 9 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 3.3 3.3.1 DNA profiling (DNA fingerprinting) (1) 3.3.2 Male 3 (1) 3.3.3 - The bands of the child’s DNA is a combination of the DNA from each parent  - Three bands are identical to that of the mother - The remaining (three) bands correspond with that of male 3 (3) 3.3.4 - To investigate crimes/resolve disputes - To identify organisms from their remains - To identify missing persons - To identify family relationships other than paternity e.g. siblings or cousins - To test for the presence of specific alleles/genes that cause a genetic disorder - To establish matching tissues for organ transplants Any 2 (2) (Mark first TWO only) (7) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 10 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines 3.4 3.4.1 Genetic engineering/modification/manipulation/recombinant DNA technology (1) 3.4.2 - Can kill other useful insects - Can cause pollution - May cause harm to consumers of the produce - Development of insecticide-resistant organisms Any 1 (1) (Mark first ONE only) 3.4.3 - Use the same field/greenhouse - Use the same number of plants - Use the same species of wheat - Measure the crop yield over the same period - Use same techniques of measuring the crop yield Any 2 (2) (Mark first TWO only) 3.4.4 50 (1) 3.4.5 Difference in yield: (70 – 45) = 25 (2) 3.4.6 - In the greenhouses high yield - In the fields low yield (2) 3.4.7 - The conditions in the greenhouse can be controlled  - whereas there are many variations in the conditions for wheat grown in fields OR The environmental conditions/ (examples) in the greenhouse may have differedfrom that in the field (2) 3.4.8 - Expensive/research money could be used for other needs - Potential health impacts - Interfering with nature - Not sure of long-term effects - Did not increase the yield Any 2 (2) (Mark first TWO only) (13) [40] TOTAL SECTION B: 80 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 11 DBE/2017 SCE – Marking guidelines SECTION C QUESTION 4 Differences - A species is a group of organisms with similar characteristics D - that are able to interbreed D - to produce fertile offspring D - A population is a group of organisms of the same species D - found in the same habitat D - at the same time D Speciation by geographic isolation - A population of organisms becomes split S - by a geographical barrier S/example of a geographical barrier. - The two populations cannot interbreed S/there is no gene flow between the two. - Natural selection occurs independently S in each population. - Due to different environmental conditions S on either side of the barrier, - the two populations become genotypically and phenotypicallyS - different S from each other. - Even if the geographical barrier is removed, the individuals will not be able to interbreed S - We say that the original population has now become two separate speciesS Effect of speciation and extinction on biodiversity - Since there is an increase in the number of species B - speciation increases B biodiversity - Extinction results in the loss of the number of species B - therefore results in a decrease B in biodiversity Any 17 Content: (17) Synthesis: (3) (20) Criterion Relevance (R) Logical sequence (L) Comprehensive (C) Generally All information provided is Ideas are arranged in a All aspects required by the relevant to the question logical/cause-effect sequence essay have been sufficiently addressed In this Only information relevant All the information regarding At least: essay in to the differences between the differences between - 4 correct points for the Q4 population and species; population and species, the differences, the description of description of speciation and - 5 for the description of speciation and effect of the effect of speciation and speciation and speciation and extinction extinction on biodiversity is - 2 for effects of speciation on biodiversity is given given in a logical manner and extinction on biodiversity Mark 1 1 1 TOTAL SECTION C: 20 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - [Life Sciences P1 May June 2017 Memo Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-may-june-2017-memo-afr/6ce6aa26-87f0-4faa-a5ac-3e80605e1582) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2017 · Afr - [Grade 12 NSC Life Science P2 Preparatory 2017 Possible Answers](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-nsc-life-science-p2-preparatory-2017-possible-answers/7cdfe52c-6c5b-4229-879b-4720a39713a9) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2017 - [Life Sciences P2 Feb March 2017 Memo Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-feb-march-2017-memo-eng/859c3d51-42fc-4a5f-acda-48de5f985ffe) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2017 · Eng - [Life Sciences P2 June July 2015 Memo Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-june-july-2015-memo-afr/b8da6f77-a4a9-4f20-be34-bdd1488cd2b7) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2015 · Afr - [Life Sciences P2 June July 2015 Memo Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-june-july-2015-memo-eng/d6c0abd7-6ef8-46e2-b6c1-5f8388545390) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2015 · Eng - [LIFE SCIENCES P2 GR12 QP SEPT2017 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-gr12-qp-sept2017-afrikaans/bf87cb58-23d4-4b06-adf5-25fd58ae662a) — Life Sciences · QP · 2017 · Afr ## More from Grade 12 Life Sciences - [LIFE SCIENCES QP GR12 JUNE 2025 ENG D watermark](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-qp-gr12-june-2025-eng-d-watermark/138939cb-4757-4989-99d7-c9cb21429a5c) — QP · 2025 · Eng - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC QP March 2025 KZN](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-qp-march-2025-kzn/b1598f8e-58e0-4c09-b513-b9f61ae73c47) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-mpumalanga/17b4cc42-641c-4d7d-9c53-6bac113ce83c) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-mpumalanga/be917127-6071-4190-b900-3c475d5bfdd4) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 North West](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-north-west/9dc29799-a675-40eb-9573-df7341b3572f) — QP · 2025 - [Life Sciences P2 May-June 2025 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-may-june-2025-afr/f068fe02-7f70-4bf4-91ad-4ead880d1a88) — QP · 2025 · Afr ## Collection - [Grade 12 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. 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