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LIFE SCIENCES ASSINGMENT

05 AUGUST 2022
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MARKS: 50
DURATION: 1 HOUR

This question paper consists of 07 pages including the cover page.

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.

1. THIS WORK MUST BE ANSWERED IN CLASS.

2. ANSWER ALL the questions, in BLUE INK.

3. Write ALL the answers in the answer sheet.

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. ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled in blue ink.

7. Draw diagrams, flow charts or tables 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 compass, where necessary.

11. Write neatly and legibly.

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

QUESTION 1

1.1. Below is a sequence of diagrams (A, B and C) represent the changes in a population of Kruger
National Park cactus plants on which bucks feed over a period of time.

1.1.1 Which evolutionary process is represented by the above diagrams? (2)

1.1.2 Use the diagrams A, B and C above to explain the process mentioned in QUESTION 1.1.1 (5)

(7)

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

1.2 Study the table below that shows the change in antibiotic resistance in three
strains of bacteria (MRSA, VRE and FQRP) over a period of 20 years.

YEAR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE (%)

MRSA VRE FQRP

1981 2 0 0

1985 10 0 0

1989 15 2 0

1993 40 5 5

1997 40 20 10

2001 60 20 25

1.2.1 Which bacterial strain was:

(a) Most resistant to antibiotics over the years. (1)

(b) Last to develop antibiotic resistance. (1)

1.2.2 Antibiotic resistance in VRE increased from 1993 to 1997 by 15%.

Calculate the percentage increase that this represents from the 1993
figure. Show your working. (2)

1.2.3 Draw a line graph to show the development of antibiotic resistance in the
bacterial strain MRSA. (6)
(10)
TOTAL QUESTION1: 17

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

QUESTION 2

Study the diagram below of the moth species that originally belonged to a single population but was later
separated by a mountain into two groups.

2.1. Define a population. (2)

2.2. Name the process which is illustrated in the diagram above. (1)
2.3. Explain the importance of the process you identified in question above. (2)
2.4. Why is species A the ancestor of species B and C? (2)
2.5. Explain the above illustrated process in relation to the three species
indicated in the diagram. (6)

TOTAL QUESTION 2: 13

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

QUESTION 3

3.1. Study the diagrams below showing the different anatomical structures of a chimpanzee
and a human. The diagrams are not drawn to scale.

Diagram A Diagram B

Diagram C Diagram D

3.1.1 Provide a label for X. (1)

3.1.2 Tabulate TWO anatomical differences between the jaws in

diagrams C and D which represent trends in human evolution. (5)

3.1.3 Account for the position of X in the skull in diagram B. (2)

3.1.4 Explain the significance of the shape of the spine that is associated
with the skull in diagram B. (2)
(10)

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

3.2 The phylogenetic tree below illustrates one interpretation of the origin of humans. The
dotted lines indicate possible evolutionary relationships and the vertical bars show the time
period for which fossils are known for each species.

3.2.1 Name the ancestral species in the above phylogenetic tree. (2)

3.2.2 What evidence in the phylogenetic tree supports the idea that
Homo sapiens is very closely related to Homo neanderthalensis? (2)

3.2.3 For what period of time did A. africanus exist on Earth?

Show your working. (4)

3.2.4 Fossilised skeletons of Australopithecus sediba were discovered in

The Malapa Caves. When scientists analysed the fossils, they
discovered that they shared some characteristics with the genus
Homo. Between which TWO species would Australopithecus sediba
be placed in the above phylogenetic tree? (2)

(10)
TOTAL QUESTION 3: 20

GRAND TOTAL: 50

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021

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Life Sciences Grade 12/Assignment NSC Vhembe East/ August 2021