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SENIOR CERTIFICATE/
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LFSC.2
LIFE SCIENCES P2
NOVEMBER 2020(2)
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 17 pages.
MORNING SESSION
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Life Sciences Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2020 QP (Eng)
Grade 12 Life Sciences Paper 2 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2020 (English), 17 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Life Sciences · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2020. Question paper, 17 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Life Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2020
- Exam period
- NSC November Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 17
- File size
- 558.8 KB
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1 of 17
This exam
NSC November Exam 2020
Questions in this paper
- Question 1.1EVOLUTION20 marks
- Question 1.2HUMAN REPRODUCTION7 marks
- Question 1.3GENETICS AND INHERITANCE6 marks
- Question 1.4MEIOSIS4 marks
- Question 1.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE7 marks
- Question 1.6EVOLUTION8 marks
Show all 15 questions
- Question 2.1DNA: THE CODE OF LIFE5 marks
- Question 2.2GENETICS AND INHERITANCE6 marks
- Question 2.3GENETICS AND INHERITANCE10 marks
- Question 2.4GENETICS AND INHERITANCE14 marks
- Question 2.5GENETICS AND INHERITANCE11 marks
- Question 3.1EVOLUTION7 marks
- Question 3.2EVOLUTION15 marks
- Question 3.3EVOLUTION12 marks
- Question 3.4EVOLUTION10 marks
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Life Sciences/P2 2 DBE/November 2020(2)
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/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D.
1.1.1 Which ONE of the following may result in Down syndrome in
humans?
A A gene mutation on chromosome 21
B Failure of chromosome pair 21 to separate during anaphase I
C Failure of the gonosomes to separate during meiosis II
D A gene mutation occurs on the X chromosome
1.1.2 Variation within a species is introduced through …
A random mating and asexual reproduction.
B mitosis and random fertilisation.
C random mating and random fertilisation.
D mitosis and meiosis.
1.1.3 African apes and humans are similar. Both have …
A small jaws and well-developed brow ridges.
B opposable thumbs and bare fingertips.
C gaps between their teeth and eyes in front.
D an upright posture and a cranial ridge.
1.1.4 The diagram below shows Tiktaalik roseae, a fish that may be the
ancestor of the first organisms to live on land.
According to Lamarck, this species of fish may have evolved the
ability to 'walk' on land by …
A undergoing natural genetic mutations which caused the fins to
develop into legs.
B the process of natural selection.
C passing on the acquired characteristic of fins to their offspring.
D stretching its fins and using them for 'walking'.
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Life Sciences/P2 4 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.1.5 The diagram below shows some of the processes, molecules and
structures that are involved in protein synthesis in a cell.
1
2
3
Which ONE of the following is the CORRECT labels for 1, 2 and 3
in the diagram?
PROCESS 1 STRUCTURE 2 MOLECULE 3
A transcription ribosome tRNA
B translation ribosome mRNA
C transcription nucleus mRNA
D translation nucleus tRNA
1.1.6 A homozygous purple flowering plant (P) is crossed with a pink
flowering plant (p) to produce the F1-generation. One of the
F1-plants is crossed with the pink flowering parent to produce the
F2-generation.
Which ONE of the following is the CORRECT phenotypic ratio of
the F2-generation?
A 1 purple : 1 pink
B 1 purple : 3 pink
C 3 purple : 1 pink
D 1 purple : 2 pink
1.1.7 Which ONE of the following scientists discovered fossils of
Homo sapiens and Ardipithecus sp?
A Raymond Dart
B Lee Berger
C Louis Leakey
D Tim White
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Life Sciences/P2 5 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.1.8 The diagram below compares characteristics of wild sunflowers
with sunflowers that have been artificially selected.
Wild Artificially selected
sunflower sunflower
Plant 153–170 cm 120–136 cm
height
Flower 3–5 cm 9–11 cm
diameter
Number of 12–16 0
branches
Leaf area 180–270 cm2 300–315 cm2
Which ONE of the following characteristics was found undesirable
by humans?
A Number of branches and leaf area
B Plant height and leaf area
C Plant height and flower diameter
D Plant height and number of branches
1.1.9 Punctuated equilibrium suggests the following:
A Evolution is always a slow and gradual process.
B Natural selection does not explain evolution.
C New species can appear quickly, over a relatively short period
of time.
D Artificial selection is the only mechanism that causes evolution.
1.1.10 A group of students observed that the long-term use of antibiotics
results in the decreased control of bacterial infections.
From this observation the students stated that:
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is caused by the long-term use of
antibiotics.
This statement is a/an …
A theory.
B aim.
C hypothesis.
D conclusion. (10 x 2) (20)
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Life Sciences/P2 6 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
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 1.2.7) in the
ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 Similar structures in different organisms indicating descent with
modification
1.2.2 Large, pointed teeth in African apes that are used for tearing food
1.2.3 The part of the skull that houses the brain
1.2.4 The non-sex chromosomes in humans
1.2.5 The network of genetic material found in the nucleus during
interphase
1.2.6 The number, shape and arrangement of all the chromosomes in the
nucleus of a somatic cell
1.2.7 Having a protruding jaw (7 x 1) (7)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements 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 number (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 Long and narrow pelvis A: African apes
B: Humans
1.3.2 The point of attachment of two A: Locus
overlapping chromatids B: Chiasma
1.3.3 Variation in human height A: Continuous
B: Discontinuous
(3 x 2) (6)
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Life Sciences/P2 7 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.4 The diagram below represents ALL the chromosomes in a cell that is
undergoing normal cell division.
A
C
B
1.4.1 Name the:
(a) Type of cell division that is occurring in the cell in the diagram (1)
(b) Phase of cell division during which the chromosomes behave
as shown in the diagram (1)
1.4.2 Where in the human female body would the type of cell division
named in QUESTION 1.4.1(a) take place? (1)
1.4.3 Give the LETTER and NAME of the structure that attaches to the
spindle fibres. (2)
1.4.4 How many chromosomes will be found in each daughter cell at the
end of this cell division? (1)
(6)
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Life Sciences/P2 8 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.5 There is variation in the characteristics of fur colour and fur texture in cats.
The table below shows the alleles that control these two characteristics.
CHARACTERISTIC ALLELE PHENOTYPE
Fur colour B Black
b White
Fur texture R Rough
r Smooth
The Punnett square below shows the inheritance of these alleles in a genetic
cross.
All possible gametes All possible
from female gametes from male
BR Br bR br
bR BbRR BbRr X bbRr
1.5.1 Name the:
(a) Dominant phenotype for fur colour (1)
(b) Recessive phenotype for fur texture (1)
1.5.2 Give the:
(a) Genotype of offspring X (1)
(b) Phenotype of the female parent (2)
(c) Genotype of the male parent (1)
1.5.3 State the phenotype that ALL the offspring of this genetic cross
have in common. (1)
(7)
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Life Sciences/P2 9 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
1.6 Scientists compare the number of differences in the amino acid sequence to
see how closely related species are. Fewer differences in the amino acid
sequence mean the species are more closely related.
Cytochrome C is a protein that occurs in many species. The amino acid
sequence of this protein differs between species.
The table below shows the number of differences in the amino acid
sequences of three species, A, B and C.
SPECIES B SPECIES C
SPECIES A 11 3
SPECIES B 10
1.6.1 What type of evidence for evolution is being used in this table? (1)
1.6.2 Give the LETTER of the species, A, B and C, that should appear at
positions 1, 2 and 3 in the diagram below.
1 2 3
Common
ancestor
(3)
(4)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
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Life Sciences/P2 10 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Detectives were investigating a crime scene and found blood on a broken
window. They suspected that the blood was that of the criminal. To identify
the criminal, they analysed a DNA sample from the blood and compared it to
that of four suspects.
The diagram below was produced:
DNA
sample Batho David Jennie Nthabi
2.1.1 Name the technique that was used to identify the criminal. (1)
2.1.2 Who is the possible criminal? (1)
2.1.3 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.1.2. (2)
2.1.4 State ONE other use of the technique identified in
QUESTION 2.1.1. (1)
(5)
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Life Sciences/P2 11 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
2.2 A farmer decided to have his best meat-producing bull cloned.
The following steps were used in the process:
A muscle cell was taken from the bull and the nucleus was removed.
An ovum was taken from a cow and the nucleus was removed and
discarded.
The nucleus from the muscle cell was placed in the empty ovum.
The ovum was given an electric shock to stimulate normal cell division to
produce an embryo.
The embryo was placed in the uterus of a surrogate cow where it
developed into the clone.
2.2.1 What is cloning? (1)
2.2.2 Explain why the nucleus of a muscle cell was used and not the
nucleus of a sperm cell. (2)
2.2.3 Explain why the nucleus of the ovum was removed. (2)
2.2.4 State ONE benefit of cloning. (1)
(6)
2.3 A man with blood group AB and a woman who is heterozygous for blood
group B plan to have children.
2.3.1 How many alleles control the inheritance of blood groups? (1)
2.3.2 Describe the type of dominance that occurs in the inheritance of
blood group B in the woman. (3)
2.3.3 Use a genetic cross to show all the possible genotypes and
phenotypes of their children. (6)
(10)
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Life Sciences/P2 12 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
2.4 Sickle cell disease is caused by a recessive allele and first appeared in
humans as a result of a gene mutation.
The table below shows the number of children born with sickle cell disease in
some regions in a particular year.
REGION NUMBER OF CHILDREN BORN
WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Democratic Republic of Congo 39 746
United States of America 90 128
Nigeria 91 011
United Kingdom 13 221
Tanzania 11 877
Other 59 750
Worldwide total 305 733
2.4.1 What is a gene mutation? (2)
2.4.2 Which region had the highest number of children born with
sickle cell disease in that year? (1)
2.4.3 What percentage of the worldwide total of children born with sickle
cell disease came from the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Show ALL calculations. (3)
2.4.4 Use the letters D and d to give the genotype of a person who:
(a) Suffers from sickle cell disease (1)
(b) Carries the allele but does not suffer from the disease (1)
(8)
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Life Sciences/P2 13 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
2.5 Goltz syndrome is a sex-linked genetic disorder. It is caused by a dominant
allele XG.
The diagram below shows the inheritance of Goltz syndrome in a family.
Piet Gabby
Anju Pilusa
Male Male Female Female
KEY:
Affected female Affected male
Unaffected female Unaffected male
2.5.1 Name the type of diagram shown. (1)
2.5.2 How many:
(a) Females are in this family (1)
(b) Males in the F1-generation have Goltz syndrome (1)
2.5.3 Give Gabby's genotype. (2)
2.5.4 Anju and Pilusa have four children. Give the phenotype of their
sons. (2)
2.5.5 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.5.4. (4)
(11)
[40]
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Life Sciences/P2 14 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 Describe the process of natural selection. (7)
3.2 Fossil evidence for humans may be interpreted in different ways. One possible
model of human evolution is shown below.
Homo
Australopithecus neanderthalensis
africanus Homo
Homo sapiens
habilis Homo
Australopithecus heidelbergensis
afarensis Homo
ergaster
Homo
erectus
4 mya 3 mya 2 mya 1 mya Present
3.2.1 Name the family to which all of the represented organisms belong. (1)
3.2.2 Describe how cultural evidence is used to support the theory of human
evolution. (2)
3.2.3 How long ago did the most recent common ancestor of H. erectus and
H. heidelbergensis exist on earth? (1)
3.2.4 Explain a possible reason why H. ergaster was placed between
A. afarensis and H. heidelbergensis on the model. (2)
3.2.5 Explain how the fossils of organisms that existed from 4 mya to present
time are used to support the 'Out of Africa' hypothesis. (3)
(9)
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Life Sciences/P2 15 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
3.3 Male long-tailed widowbirds have extremely long tail feathers that they use in
mating displays to attract females.
Scientists conducted an investigation to determine the relationship between
the length of the male long-tailed widowbird's tail and its mating success.
The procedure was as follows:
A total of 27 male long-tailed widowbirds was sampled and divided into
3 equal groups.
The tail feathers of the birds in each group were treated in the following
way:
o Group 1 – Cut short
o Group 2 – Made longer by adding artificial feathers
o Group 3 – Left unchanged
The 3 groups of male long-tailed widowbirds, along with female
long-tailed widowbirds, were released into an environment suitable for
mating.
Each time a pair mated successfully they produced a nest and all the
nests were counted.
The average number of nests produced by each group was calculated
and used as an indication of mating success.
The results are shown in the table below.
GROUP AVERAGE NUMBER OF NESTS PRODUCED
1 0,5
2 2,5
3 1
3.3.1 Name the:
(a) Reproductive isolating mechanism that occurs in long-tailed
widowbirds (1)
(b) Independent variable in this investigation (1)
3.3.2 Explain why 27 long-tailed widowbirds were used in the
investigation instead of only 3. (2)
3.3.3 Explain why Group 3 was included in the investigation. (2)
3.3.4 Draw a bar graph to represent the results of this investigation. (6)
3.3.5 State a conclusion for this investigation. (2)
(14)
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Life Sciences/P2 16 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
3.4 Pottos and lemurs are small mammals.
Scientists believe that pottos and lemurs share a common ancestor that
existed in Africa. Presently pottos only occur in Africa while lemurs are only
found in Madagascar.
Madagascar is an island off the East coast of Africa as shown in the diagram
below.
East Coast
of Africa
Madagascar
Indian
Ocean
3.4.1 Explain how continental drift could have affected the distribution of
the common ancestor. (4)
3.4.2 Describe the speciation of the pottos and lemurs to become
different species. (6)
(10)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
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Life Sciences/P2 17 DBE/November 2020(2)
SC/NSC
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
Describe the location and structure of DNA, the process of DNA replication and the
significance of this process for mitosis.
Content: (17)
Synthesis: (3)
(20)
i
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
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