# Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2019 QP (Eng) > Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2019 (English), 14 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-nov-2019-eng/ad42999d-6e30-4bbc-9860-4febb47c7166 - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: Life Sciences - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Question paper - Year: 2019 - Exam period: NSC November Exam - Paper: 2 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 14 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 P2 NSC November 2019 QP (Eng)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-nov-2019-eng/ad42999d-6e30-4bbc-9860-4febb47c7166) ## About this document Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2019. Question paper, 14 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 GRAAD 12 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 LIFE SCIENCES P2 NOVEMBER 2019 MARKS: 150 TIME: 2½ hours This question paper consists of 14 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 2 DBE/November 2019 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. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 3 DBE/November 2019 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 to 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 Which ONE of the following refers to a gradual change in the structure of organisms over time? A Natural selection B Mutation C Evolution D Speciation 1.1.2 Study the mechanisms below: (i) Species-specific courtship behaviour (ii) Infertile offspring (iii) Adaptation to different pollinators (iv) Breeding at the same time of the year Which ONE of the following combinations represents reproductive isolating mechanisms? A (i), (ii) and (iv) only B (ii), (iii) and (iv) only C (i), (ii) and (iii) only D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) 1.1.3 A sample of DNA has 60 guanine bases and 30 adenine bases. How many phosphate molecules would you expect in this sample of DNA? A 30 B 90 C 180 D 270 1.1.4 The theory of evolution has been supported by a comparative study of the structure of vertebrate forelimbs from the fossil record. Which ONE of the following represents the statement above? A Genetic evidence B Modification by descent C Natural selection D Biogeography Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 4 DBE/November 2019 NSC 1.1.5 The diagram below shows the pattern of inheritance of a disorder. KEY Male not affected Female not affected Female affected One can conclude that the disorder is caused by a … A recessive allele, with both parents heterozygous. B dominant allele, with both parents heterozygous. C recessive allele, with one parent homozygous recessive while the other is heterozygous. D dominant allele, with one parent heterozygous while the other is homozygous recessive. 1.1.6 The table below compares the rate of extinction of mammal species over two different time periods. TIME PERIOD RATE OF EXTINCTION (YEARS) (PER 100 YEARS) 1500–1900 4,5 1900–2000 90 What is the ratio between the rate of extinction from 1500 to 1900 compared to the rate of extinction from 1900 to 2000? A 1 : 20 B 1:2 C 2:1 D 20 : 1 1.1.7 Study the following effects: (i) The double helix DNA will not unwind during DNA replication (ii) mRNA will not form (iii) DNA replication will not take place (iv) Translation in protein synthesis will not take place Which ONE of the following combinations of effects will result if the hydrogen bonds in DNA were strong? A (i), (ii) and (iv) only B (i), (ii) and (iii) only C (ii), (iii) and (iv) only D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 5 DBE/November 2019 NSC QUESTIONS 1.1.8 AND 1.1.9 REFER TO THE DIAGRAM BELOW SHOWING PART OF A DNA MOLECULE BEFORE AND AFTER A MUTATION. A A C T A G C T T mutation A A C T C G C T T Before After 1.1.8 The mutation … A will result in an extra chromosome. B will produce the same protein if a different amino acid is coded for. C will produce a different protein if a different amino acid is coded for. D is the result of an extra chromosome. 1.1.9 Which ONE of the following best describes the mutation? A More than one nitrogenous base was changed. B Adenine was changed to cytosine. C Adenine was changed to thymine. D Cytosine was changed to adenine. (9 x 2) (18) 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 to 1.2.8) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 The nitrogenous base found in messenger RNA but not in DNA 1.2.2 An explanation describing evolution as consisting of long phases of little change alternating with short phases of rapid change 1.2.3 The permanent disappearance of a species from Earth 1.2.4 Genus to which Little Foot and Mrs Ples belongs 1.2.5 The cell organelle to which mRNA attaches during protein synthesis 1.2.6 The position of a gene on a chromosome 1.2.7 The sugar that forms part of a nucleotide in RNA 1.2.8 The use of living organisms and their biological processes to improve the quality of human life (8 x 1) (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 6 DBE/November 2019 NSC 1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements 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 to 1.3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK. COLUMN I COLUMN II 1.3.1 Location of DNA in a human A: Mitochondrion B: Nucleus 1.3.2 Inheritance of acquired A: Mendel characteristics B: Darwin 1.3.3 First to discover the double A: Mendel and Watson helix structure of DNA B: Watson and Crick (3 x 2) (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 7 DBE/November 2019 NSC 1.4 The diagrams below represent different phases of meiosis. 1 2 A 3 4 B C 1.4.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) (c) C (1) 1.4.2 Give the NUMBER and NAME of the phase which shows the following: (a) Random arrangement of chromosomes at the equator (2) (b) Crossing over (2) (c) Non-disjunction (2) 1.4.3 How many chromosomes will be found in: (a) The cells at the end of meiosis shown in the diagrams (1) (b) A normal, human sperm (1) (c) The somatic cells of a normal mother who has a son with Down syndrome (1) (12) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 8 DBE/November 2019 NSC 1.5 A certain plant species has the following alleles for each characteristic: Number of seeds per pod P: one seed p: three seeds Leaf shape L: normal shape l: wrinkled shape The table below shows the results of the offspring produced by a genetic cross between two plants of this species. PHENOTYPE NUMBER OF OFFSPRING One seed and wrinkled leaves 100 One seed and normal leaves 290 Three seeds and wrinkled leaves 32 Three seeds and normal leaves 96 1.5.1 How many genes of the plant are considered here? (1) 1.5.2 Name the dominant phenotypes of the plant. (2) 1.5.3 Give the: (a) Genotype of each parent (2) (b) Number of offspring that are homozygous recessive for both characteristics (1) (6) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 9 DBE/November 2019 NSC SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 The diagram below shows part of a process involved in the production of a protein. W X X X Y X G A U U U C Z A U G A C C C U A A A G A C C AX A U 2.1.1 Identify: (a) Molecule Y (1) (b) The group of nitrogenous bases Z (1) 2.1.2 If X is the next amino acid required after W, then identify: (a) Nitrogenous bases 1, 2 and 3 (2) (b) The DNA base triplet that codes for X (2) (6) 2.2 Describe the process of transcription. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 10 DBE/November 2019 NSC 2.3 In certain marine invertebrates the colour of the shell is under the control of one gene with three alleles. In different combinations, the three alleles produce four phenotypes: orange, yellow, orange-yellow and black. The table below shows the results of the offspring produced from crosses involving parents of different phenotypes. PHENOTYPES OF SHELLS CROSS PARENTS OFFSPRING 1 Yellow x yellow 27 yellow: 9 black 2 Black x black All black 3 Orange x orange 30 orange: 10 black 4 Orange x yellow All orange-yellow 2.3.1 Name and describe the type of dominance shown by cross 4. (3) 2.3.2 Which shell colour is controlled by the recessive allele? (1) 2.3.3 Use information in the table to support your answer to QUESTION 2.3.2. (2) (6) 2.4 The back of the leopard frog (Rana pipiens) can be spotted, as shown below, or be without spots. Spotted frogs were allowed to interbreed and they produced 150 spotted offspring and 50 offspring without spots. 2.4.1 Which phenotype is dominant? (1) 2.4.2 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.4.1. (2) 2.4.3 A frog that is heterozygous for spotted back was crossed with a frog without spots. Using the letters D and d, represent a genetic cross to show the expected genotypes and phenotypes of the F1 generation. (6) (9) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 11 DBE/November 2019 NSC 2.5 The E. coli bacterium lives in the intestines of pigs where they reproduce rapidly. Certain strains of E. coli cause diarrhoea in young pigs (piglets). Scientists carried out an investigation using 100 piglets to determine the resistance of E. coli to two antibiotics, A and B. The scientists:  Injected the piglets with antibiotic A and antibiotic B  Took a sample of E. coli from the intestines of each piglet a week later and placed them in separate petri dishes  Allowed the bacteria to grow for 24 hours  Added antibiotic A to one petri dish and antibiotic B to the other petri dish  Measured the growth of the bacteria in each petri dish after 24 hours  Used the growth measurement as an indication of the resistance of the bacteria to each antibiotic  Repeated the process over a period of six months  Calculated the average percentage resistance to both antibiotics The results are shown in the graph below. Average percentage resistance of E. coli to two types of antibiotics Average resistance (%) 100 Antibiotic A 80 60 40 Antibiotic B 20 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Time (months) 2.5.1 Identify the independent variable in this investigation. (1) 2.5.2 Identify TWO factors that should be kept constant during the investigation. (2) 2.5.3 State TWO ways in which the scientists ensured the reliability of the investigation. (2) 2.5.4 Which antibiotic will you recommend for controlling E. coli in piglets? (1) 2.5.5 Support your answer to QUESTION 2.5.4 using evidence in the graph. (2) 2.5.6 Explain the results that are shown in the graph for antibiotic A in terms of natural selection. (5) (13) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 12 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 12 DBE/November 2019 NSC QUESTION 3 3.1 The diagrams below show the skulls of two species of primates. Skull 1 Skull 2 3.1.1 Tabulate THREE observable differences between skull 1 and skull 2 that show trends in human evolution. (7) 3.1.2 Give FOUR characteristics of the upper limbs that humans share with other primates. (4) 3.1.3 Explain how an increase in cranial volume is related to intelligence. (3) (14) 3.2 Humans are bipedal organisms. 3.2.1 What is meant by bipedalism? (2) 3.2.2 Explain how each of the following skeletal structures have contributed to bipedalism in humans: (a) Foramen magnum (2) (b) Pelvic girdle (2) (c) Spine (2) (8) 3.3 Describe the process of speciation through geographical isolation. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 13 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 13 DBE/November 2019 NSC 3.4 Read the following extract. MUTATION IN GENE ALLOWS TIBETANS TO SURVIVE AT HIGH ALTITUDE It is possible to cope with the low oxygen content at high altitudes. One way is for the body to produce more red blood cells in response to an increase in altitude. Another way of coping has developed in Tibetans as a result of a gene mutation that they inherited from their ancestors. The mutant gene helps them to use the low amount of oxygen present more efficiently. The mutant gene was found in 87% of the Tibetan population but only in 9% of the Han population that live at a lower altitude than the Tibetans. 3.4.1 A gene mutation caused variation between the Tibetan population and the Han population. Name THREE other sources of variation in a human population. (3) 3.4.2 Give evidence in the extract which suggests that the survival of people living at high altitudes could be: (a) Due to a genetically inherited trait (1) (b) Caused by an environmental factor (1) 3.4.3 Explain the advantage of producing more red blood cells. (2) 3.4.4 Describe how Lamarck would have explained the survival of Tibetans at high altitudes. (5) (12) [40] TOTAL SECTION B: 80 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 14 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Sciences/P2 14 DBE/November 2019 NSC SECTION C QUESTION 4 Sometimes the paternity of a son or a daughter is disputed. Describe sex determination in humans and explain how blood grouping and DNA profiling are used in paternity testing. Content: (17) Synthesis: (3) (20) NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of a table, flow charts or diagrams. TOTAL SECTION C: 20 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - [Life Sciences P2 Nov 2019 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-nov-2019-afr/3a3f6e0d-1732-4f2c-aba0-9b2bf232ef02) — Life Sciences · QP · 2019 · Afr - [Life Sciences P2 Nov 2019 Memo Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-nov-2019-memo-eng/d4ac5eda-a68e-4263-80fa-fa1e8d3b4cef) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2019 · Eng - [Life Sciences P2 Nov 2019 Memo Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-nov-2019-memo-afr/be980b5b-1ccf-4b05-8f44-e4dee2a17852) — Life Sciences · Memo · 2019 · Afr - [Life Sciences P1 Nov 2019 Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p1-nov-2019-eng/830f1c66-6246-4109-b897-0aceb3aff57f) — Life Sciences · QP · 2019 · Eng - [LIFE SCIENCES P2 QP SEPT2019 English final](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-qp-sept2019-english-final/65c17b10-5e45-4c78-a168-f144efce77db) — Life Sciences · QP · 2019 · Eng - [Grade 12 NSC Life Sciences P2 (Afrikaans) X05 2019 Preparatory Examination Question Paper](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-nsc-life-sciences-p2-afrikaans-x05-2019-preparatory-examination-question-paper/ef93fd9a-8d6c-457f-9666-9b77ed91aae4) — Life Sciences · QP · 2019 · Afr ## More from Grade 12 Life Sciences - [LEWENSWETENSKAPPE V1 MEMO GR12 SEPT 2025 watermark](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/lewenswetenskappe-v1-memo-gr12-sept-2025-watermark/ee8ac4d1-8b43-4b2a-87fc-d07277b88025) — Memo · 2025 - [LIFE SCIENCES P2 MEMO GR12 SEPT 2025 AFR watermark](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-p2-memo-gr12-sept-2025-afr-watermark/be114f07-9b13-48d1-9cae-e0ae8aec035b) — Memo · 2025 · Afr - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P1 MEMO September 2025 Free State](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p1-memo-september-2025-free-state/ba194139-8ff7-481e-92f4-d961a5c8d23a) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Free State](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-free-state/470ae841-15a4-4ab3-a87b-abd2294edc20) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 Gauteng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-gauteng/bbdf9d27-c483-4cd4-af9f-287e699f482e) — Memo · 2025 - [Life Sciences Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 KZN](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/life-sciences-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-kzn/f412416e-57d1-473d-886a-87c9fbb8823c) — Memo · 2025 ## 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. When citing, link the page URL above, not a PDF or /api/ URL.