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GRAAD 12
SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS/
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
LIFE SCIENCES P2
2023
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 14 pages.
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Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC June 2023 Question Paper (Eng)
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the NSC June Exam 2023 (English), 14 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC June Exam · 2023. Question paper, 14 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2023
- Exam period
- NSC June Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 14
- File size
- 670.7 KB
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1 of 14
This exam
NSC June Exam 2023
Questions in this paper
- Question 1.1EVOLUTION18 marks
- Question 1.2DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE7 marks
- Question 1.3GENETICS AND INHERITANCE6 marks
- Question 1.4MEIOSIS8 marks
- Question 1.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE7 marks
- Question 1.6EVOLUTION6 marks
Show all 17 questions
- Question 2.1DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE12 marks
- Question 2.2DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE4 marks
- Question 2.3DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE5 marks
- Question 2.4GENETICS AND INHERITANCE3 marks
- Question 2.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE18 marks
- Question 2.6GENETICS AND INHERITANCE7 marks
- Question 3.1GENETICS AND INHERITANCE14 marks
- Question 3.2EVOLUTION11 marks
- Question 3.3EVOLUTION7 marks
- Question 3.4EVOLUTION13 marks
- Question 3.5EVOLUTION8 marks
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Life Sciences/P2 2 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
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 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. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams, tables 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 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/2023
SC/NSC
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
numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.10 D.
1.1.1 According to Lamarck's theory for evolution, …
A acquired characteristics are not inherited.
B organisms evolve because they adapt to their environment.
C there is variation amongst offspring.
D environmental changes have no influence on species diversity.
1.1.2 The genotype for a specific characteristic …
A contains two chromosomes.
B is the physical appearance of an individual.
C is the composition of a gene pair.
D is represented by one allele.
1.1.3 After the discovery of a fossil, scientists classified it as an
African ape because it had a …
A large cranium, a prognathous jaw and large canines.
B small cranium, a non-prognathous jaw and large canines.
C small cranium, a prognathous jaw and large canines.
D large cranium, a prognathous jaw and small canines.
1.1.4 The statements below describe the steps in the process of cloning
an animal.
(i) The embryo is implanted into the uterus of an adult female for
development.
(ii) The nucleus from a somatic cell of the donor is extracted.
(iii) The nucleus from the somatic cell is inserted into the ovum.
(iv) The nucleus from the ovum of another individual is removed.
(v) The ovum with the new nucleus is given an electric shock to
stimulate cell division and the formation of the embryo.
Which combination shows the CORRECT order of the steps?
A (ii) (iv) (iii) (v) (i)
B (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (i)
C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
D (ii) (iv) (v) (iii) (i)
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Life Sciences/P2 4 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
1.1.5 Shrubs of the family Proteaceae (e.g. Waratahs and proteas) can
be found in Australia, South America, Indo-China and parts of
Africa as shown on the map below.
South
America Africa Australia
It is hypothesised that all continents were once one large continent
called Pangaea and that they separated due to continental drift.
This is evidence that the family Proteaceae …
A all belong to the same species.
B are equally distributed on all continents.
C became extinct when Pangaea separated.
D arose from a common ancestor when Pangaea separated.
1.1.6 The diagram below shows the DNA profiles of a girl, her mother
and four males.
Males
Girl Mother
1 2 3 4
Which male is the girl's biological father?
A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4
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Life Sciences/P2 5 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
1.1.7 The following are characteristics of a group of animals:
(i) Able to interbreed
(ii) Occupy the same habitat
(iii) Produce infertile offspring
(iv) Belong to the same species
Which combination CORRECTLY represents a population?
A (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
B Only (i), (ii) and (iv)
C Only (i), (ii) and (iii)
D Only (i) and (iv)
1.1.8 During Anaphase II of meiosis, the two chromatids of a
chromosome are pulled apart, each moving towards opposite poles
at a rate of 1 micrometre per second.
The distance, in micrometres, between the chromatids after
20 seconds is …
A 10.
B 20.
C 30.
D 40.
1.1.9 Which ONE of the following indicates the type of variation for each
of the human characteristics given?
Height Skin colour Ear lobe types
A discontinuous continuous discontinuous
B continuous continuous discontinuous
C discontinuous discontinuous continuous
D discontinuous continuous continuous
(9 x 2) (18)
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SC/NSC
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions.
Write only the term next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.7) in the
ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 The type of inheritance which produces an intermediate phenotype
1.2.2 The point where adjacent chromatids overlap during crossing over
1.2.3 The process whereby information is copied from DNA to RNA in the
nucleus of a cell
1.2.4 The sugar found in a DNA molecule
1.2.5 The bond that occurs between nitrogenous bases in a DNA
molecule
1.2.6 The manipulation of an organism's genes to obtain a desired
characteristic
1.2.7 The representation showing the arrangement of a diploid set of
chromosomes (7 x 1) (7)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN I apply 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 numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.3)
in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 Source of variation in a A: random mating
species B: random fertilisation
1.3.2 An organism possesses two A: law of dominance
factors which separate so B: principle of independent
that each gamete contains assortment
only one of these factors
1.3.3 Reproductive isolating A: breeding in the same season of
mechanism in species the year
B: infertile offspring
(3 x 2) (6)
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SC/NSC
1.4 The diagram below represents a cell in an early stage of meiosis.
R
S
T
1.4.1 Give the:
(a) Phase of meiosis represented (1)
(b) Number of chromatids shown (1)
(c) Number of homologous chromosome pairs (1)
1.4.2 Identify structure:
(a) R (1)
(b) S (1)
(c) T (1)
1.4.3 Name TWO organs in an animal where meiosis occurs. (2)
(8)
1.5 The brinjal plant carries edible fruit. Scientists have been studying the
inheritance of two genes, one for stem texture and the other for fruit shape.
The stems can be smooth (N) or prickly (n), while the fruit shape can be
round (R) or elongated (r).
1.5.1 Name the type of cross that studies two characteristics. (1)
1.5.2 State the:
(a) Dominant characteristic for stem texture (1)
(b) Recessive characteristic for fruit shape (1)
1.5.3 Give the:
(a) Genotype of a plant with a prickly stem and elongated fruit (2)
(b) Phenotype of a plant with the genotype NnRR (2)
(7)
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Life Sciences/P2 8 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
1.6 The table below shows information on selected hominid fossils.
Scientists
Common name
Species Fossil site responsible for
of the fossil
discovery
Malapa Cave
Australopithecus
P in the Cradle of Q
sediba
Humankind
Sterkfontein
Taung Child R S
Caves
1.6.1 Name fossil P. (1)
1.6.2 Identify the species at R. (1)
1.6.3 Give the name of the scientist at:
(a) Q (1)
(b) S (1)
(4)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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Life Sciences/P2 9 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 The diagram below represents a process that occurs during protein synthesis.
X
Y
Z C A U A U G G A C
2.1.1 Identify molecule:
(a) X (1)
(b) Z (1)
2.1.2 Give the nitrogenous base sequence of:
(a) The DNA base triplet complementary to the middle codon on
molecule Z (2)
(b) Y (1)
2.1.3 Name and describe the process shown in the diagram during the
formation of a protein. (7)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P2 10 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
2.2 The table below shows the codons that code for some amino acids.
mRNA codon Amino acid
AUG methionine
CAU histidine
CUA leucine
GUA valine
GAC aspartic acid
GAG glutamic acid
GAU aspartic acid
A mutation caused a DNA base triplet to change from CTG to CTA.
Describe the effect of this mutation on the protein formed. (4)
2.3 Tabulate TWO differences between DNA and RNA nucleotides. (5)
2.4 Down syndrome is the result of an individual having an extra copy of
chromosome 21.
Two genetic variations that can cause Down syndrome are:
Trisomy 21
All the somatic cells in an individual have three copies of chromosome 21
due to an abnormal process that occurs during gamete production.
Mosaic Down syndrome
The individual has only some cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21
which is caused by an abnormal process during cell division after
fertilisation.
2.4.1 Name the:
(a) Type of mutation that leads to Trisomy 21 (1)
(b) Abnormal process during gamete production that leads to three
copies of chromosome 21 (1)
(c) Type of cell division that occurs after fertilisation (1)
2.4.2 Describe how the process in QUESTION 2.4.1(b) leads to
Trisomy 21. (5)
2.4.3 Describe TWO differences between Trisomy 21 and Mosaic Down
syndrome. (4)
(12)
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Life Sciences/P2 11 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
2.5 The diagram below shows the inheritance of Tay-Sachs, a rare disease which
leads to the destruction of neurons. It is inherited as an autosomal disorder,
controlled by two alleles, (T) and (t).
1 2
3 4 5 6
7
Key:
Male without Tay-Sachs Male with Tay-Sachs
Female without Tay-Sachs Female with Tay-Sachs
2.5.1 Describe what is meant by an autosomal disorder. (2)
2.5.2 How many sons do individuals 1 and 2 have? (1)
2.5.3 Using individuals 3, 4 and 7, explain why it can be concluded that
Tay-Sachs disease is controlled by a recessive allele. (5)
2.5.4 Individuals 1 and 2 can produce children with three possible
genotypes.
List ALL the genotypes that have a 25% chance of being produced. (2)
(10)
2.6 In humans, haemophilia is caused by a recessive allele on the
X-chromosome (Xh).
A woman, who is heterozygous for haemophilia, marries a man with
haemophilia.
Use a genetic cross to show the percentage chance of the couple having a
daughter who is homozygous for normal blood clotting. (7)
[50]
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Life Sciences/P2 12 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 Learners conducted an investigation to determine which blood group was the
most common in their community.
They collected information about the blood groups of 200 blood donors in each
of the three blood donor clinics in their community. They did not include
first-time donors in the investigation.
The pie chart below shows the results of the investigation.
Percentage of each blood group in the sample
Blood group A
25%
Blood group O
55%
Blood group B
15%
Blood group AB
5%
3.1.1 State the aim of the investigation. (2)
3.1.2 Answer the following questions:
(a) State THREE planning steps to consider when conducting this
investigation. (3)
(b) State ONE way in which the learners ensured the reliability of
the results. (1)
(c) Give ONE reason why they did not include first-time donors. (1)
3.1.3 Calculate the number of participants that had blood group B. Show
ALL workings. (3)
3.1.4 Name the blood group which:
(a) Has only recessive alleles in the genotype (1)
(b) Is a result of co-dominance (1)
3.1.5 Give ALL the possible genotypes of the blood group represented by
25% of the donors. (2)
(14)
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Life Sciences/P2 13 DBE/2023
SC/NSC
3.2 Dogs have been selected and bred over many years to produce
approximately 340 different dog breeds. They have been bred for certain
characteristics desirable to humans.
An analysis of 736 base pairs of the cytochrome-b gene showed that grey
wolves are the only direct ancestor to present-day dog breeds. All dog breeds
belong to the species Canis familiaris.
The table below shows some dog breeds and their desirable characteristics.
Grey wolf Dog breeds Characteristics
Intelligent
Poodle
Loving, affectionate and
playful
Pug
Outgoing and adventurous
Saint Bernard
Strong, athletic and fast
Rhodesian ridgeback
3.2.1 Name the process whereby the different breeds of dogs were
produced. (1)
3.2.2 Describe how humans carried out the process named in
QUESTION 3.2.1. (3)
3.2.3 Explain how it can be confirmed that all these dog breeds belong to
the same species. (2)
3.2.4 Explain which of the dog breeds shown would best be used for
hunting. (2)
3.2.5 Explain how present-day dog breeds may be disadvantaged in
relation to their common ancestor. (3)
(11)
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SC/NSC
3.3 Describe the process of speciation through geographic isolation. (7)
3.4 The diagram below represents the evolution of the family Hominidae.
Orang-utan
P Gorilla
Q Bonobo
S
R Chimpanzee
Human
3.4.1 Name the type of diagram represented above. (1)
3.4.2 Give the LETTER of the organism which:
(a) Is the common ancestor of all hominids (1)
(b) Shares the most recent common ancestor with the gorilla (1)
3.4.3 Name TWO organisms that:
(a) Have S as a common ancestor (2)
(b) Are quadrupedal (2)
3.4.4 Describe THREE anatomical features of the skeleton of a
quadrupedal hominid. (3)
(10)
3.5 Fossil evidence is used to support the 'Out-of-Africa' hypothesis.
3.5.1 State the 'Out-of-Africa' hypothesis. (2)
3.5.2 Describe how fossil evidence is used to support the 'Out-of-Africa'
hypothesis. (6)
(8)
[50]
TOTAL SECTION B: 100
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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