NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

LIFE SCIENCES

JUNE EXAMINATION 2023

MARKS: 150

TIME: 21/2 hours

N.B. This question paper consists of 17 pages including this page.

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Life Sciences NSC KZN June Examination 2023
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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. Make 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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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 your ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 D.

1.1.1 Which ONE of the following involves the development of the young
within eggs that are retained inside the mother’s body until it hatches?

A Ovipary
B Vivipary
C Ovovivipary
D Amniotic egg

1.1.2 Below is a list of items related to reproductive strategies in

invertebrates.

(i) The male deposits sperm into the body of a female.

(ii) The female then lays her eggs in batches of 20 or 50 on
plants or on the ground.
(iii) Female butterflies are often dead by the time the caterpillar is
formed

Which of the following combination/s increase/s the reproductive

success in invertebrates?

A (i), (ii) and (iii)

B (i) only
C (ii) only
D (i) and (ii)

1.1.3 If a recessive allele on the X-chromosome is passed on to the

offspring it is an example of …

A sex-linked inheritance.
B incomplete dominance.
C multiple alleles.
D co-dominance.

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QUESTIONS 1.1.4 AND 1.1.5 ARE BASED ON THE DIAGRAM OF A REFLEX

ARC BELOW.

4 2

1.1.4 Which part brings about a response to a stimulus received by the

body?

A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4

1.1.5 The function of part 5 is to …

A ensure one directional flow of an impulse.

B carry impulses from towards the central nervous system.
C carry impulses away from the central nervous system.
D insulates the axon.

1.1.6 External fertilisation is the fusion of haploid nuclei of a …

A male and female gametes in the body of the female.

B male and female gametes outside the body of the female.
C male gamete with a diploid female gamete inside the body of
the female.
D male gamete with a female somatic/body cell inside the body of
the female.

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QUESTIONS 1.1.7 AND 1.1.8 ARE BASED ON THE DIAGRAM OF A

HUMAN BRAIN BELOW

R P

1.1.7 Which ONE of the following parts is most likely damaged if voluntary
actions are not coordinated?

A P
B Q
C S
D T

1.1.8 Which ONE of the following is part of the endocrine system?

A P
B Q
C R
D S

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1.1.9 The diagram represents a portion of a nucleic acid.

X Y

Which ONE of the following combinations shows correct labels for the
different parts?

NUCLEIC MOLECULE X PORTION Y BOND Z

ACID
A DNA Ribose sugar Amino acid Peptide
Deoxyribose
B RNA Nucleic acid Nitrogen
sugar
C Deoxyribose
DNA Nucleotide Hydrogen
sugar
D RNA Ribose sugar Nucleoplasm Hydrogen

1.1.10 A small section of DNA template strand has the following sequence
of bases that codes for different amino acids:

GCTCGT TAA

Which ONE of the following is the CORRECT representation of the

codons and number of amino acids coded for by this section?

CODONS NUMBER OF AMINO ACIDS

A GCU CGU UAA 1
B CGA GCA AUU 3
C CGT GCT TUU 9
D GCA CGA AUU 3

(10 x 2) (20)

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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 1.2.6) in the ANSWER
BOOK.

1.2.1 The area of the retina that contains the highest concentration of cones

1.2.2 The structure within the amniotic egg which collects the embryo’s
nitrogenous waste

1.2.3 Part of the reflex arc that converts a stimulus into an impulse

1.2.4 The disease caused by damage to the myelin sheath of neurons

1.2.5 A hormone that controls salt concentration in the blood

1.2.6 An endocrine gland found on top of each kidney

1.2.7 The type of development in birds where the young are able to
independently move and feed themselves after hatching

1.2.8 The process by which genetically identical organisms are formed

using biotechnology

1.2.9 The position of a gene on a chromosome (9 x 1) (9)

1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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 The functional connection between A: Effector
two consecutive neurons B: Dendrite
1.3.2 Hormones secreted by the pituitary A: Growth hormone
gland B: Thyroxin
1.3.3 Produces amniotic fluid A: Chorion
B: Amnion
(3 x 2) (6)

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1.4 The diagram below shows a human karyotype.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22
23

1.4.1 State the:

(a) gender of the person whose karyotype is shown above (1)

(b) biological term for chromosome pair 23 (1)

(c) genetic disorder in the person whose karyotype is shown

above. (1)

(d) error during meiosis that led to the disorder mentioned in

QUESTION 1.4.1 (c). (1)

(e) phase of meiosis where the error mentioned in QUESTION

1.4.1 (d) occurred. (1)

1.4.2 State TWO ways in which meiosis is biologically important. (2)

(7)

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1.5 The diagram below shows the pattern of inheritance of hair colour in a family.
The letter B represents the allele for black hair and b represents the allele for
brown hair.

Bb

Luluh Nommy

bb Jayati

Jessica Licebo

Caleb Ashley

1.5.1 How many of EACH of the following are represented in this diagram?

(a) Females (1)

(b) Individual(s) that are not biologically related to Luluh (1)

(c) Grandchildren of Nommy and Luluh (1)

(d) Individuals that are definitely heterozygous (1)

1.5.2 Give the genotype of Nommy. (1)

1.5.3 State the phenotype of Jayati. (1)

1.5.4 If Ashley marries a woman who has the same genotype as his, what is
the percentage chance of them having a child with brown hair? (2)
(8)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 The diagram below shows the process of protein synthesis.

P
R

1 2 3
A C A G C U U U A C G C U A A

2.1.1 Identify:

(a) Molecule R (1)

(b) Nitrogen bases 1, 2 and 3 (in this order) in molecule R. (2)

2.1.2 Write down the LETTER only of the:

(a) Molecule that is a monomer of proteins (1)

(b) Organelle that is a site for protein synthesis (1)

2.1.3 Name the process that resulted in the formation of molecule S. (1)

2.1.4 Name and describe the stage of protein synthesis that is taking
place in the diagram above. (5)

2.1.5 Write down the DNA base triplets that codes for the first 3 nitrogen
bases of molecule S. The molecule is read from left to right. (1)

2.1.6 Explain the effect of mutation in a DNA molecule on a protein to be

manufactured. (3)
(15)

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2.2 The following diagrams shows a human male reproductive system

F C

2.2.1 Identify parts:

(a) F (1)

(b) C (1)

(c) D (1)

2.2.2 Explain:

(a) why a blockage in part A may lead to infertility in a male. (2)

(b) the role of part B in reproduction (2)

(c) the advantage of part E hanging outside the body of a male (2)

(9)

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2.3 The graph below shows the concentration of progesterone in a woman's blood
during the early stages of pregnancy.

2.3.1 Name TWO structures responsible for the production of progesterone

before and after a female becomes pregnant. (2)

2.3.2 Describe the general trend in progesterone levels in the woman's

blood during the early stages of pregnancy. (1)

2.3.3 Describe the negative feedback mechanism that occurs between

progesterone and FSH during pregnancy. (2)

2.3.4 State ONE importance of the negative feedback mechanism

described in QUESTION 2.3.3 if a female becomes pregnant. (1)

2.3.5 Calculate the percentage increase in progesterone levels between

week 4 and week 14. Show ALL calculations. (3)

2.3.6 The woman's progesterone level in week 16 was 25 ng/mℓ.

(a) Explain why this woman should be concerned about the decrease
in progesterone levels. (2)

(b) Suggest ONE way in which this problem could possibly be treated
by a doctor. (1)
(12)

2.4 Describe the process of oogenesis. (5)

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2.5 The diagrams below show phases of meiosis not in the correct order.

DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2

Cell 1
Pole X
C
A

B
Pole Y

Cell 2

2.5.1 Identify parts:

(a) C (1)

(b) D (1)

2.5.2 Identify the phase of meiosis represented by cell in diagram 1. (1)

2.5.3 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.5.2. (2)

2.5.4 Which cell (1 or 2) resulted from pole Y? (1)

2.5.5 State ONE function of part B. (1)

2.5.6 Write down the LETTER and the NAME of the part that is only found
in animal cells and not in plant cells. (2)

(9)
[50]

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QUESTION 3

3.1 Study the following diagram.

E
t D C B
e t t
m e e
m m A

F
H
I
G

3.1.1 Identify:

(a) A (1)

(b) F (1)

3.1.2 State ONE function of part G. (1)

3.1.3 Write down the FOUR LETTERS of the middle and outer ear, in their
correct sequence of involvement during hearing. (2)

3.1.4 Describe the role of part H in maintaining balance. (4)

3.1.5 Explain the consequence in hearing if part I became damaged. (3)

(12)

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3.2 In plant species Strelitzia reginae, two characteristics, flower colour and plant
height were studied. Each of these characteristics has two variations: flowers
may be orange or purple in colour and the plants may be tall or short.

Plants that are heterozygous for flower colour have reddish-brown (blend of
orange and purple) flowers and plants that are homozygous recessive for
plant height are short.

The alleles for each characteristic are shown in the table below.

CHARACTERISTICS DOMINANT ALLELE RECESSIVE ALLELE

Plant Height T t
Flower colour P, O

3.2.1 State Mendel’s Law of Segregation (3)

3.2.2 Give the term for a genetic cross involving two characteristics. (1)

3.2.3 Name the type of dominance shown by the strelitzia reginae flower
colour. (1)

3.2.4 Give the:

(a) Recessive phenotype for plant height (1)

(b) Phenotype of a plant that is heterozygous for flower colour and

homozygous dominant for plant height
(2)

(c) Genotype of a purple flowering tall plant (2)

(10)

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3.3 A family wanted to identify the biological mother of a girl. The father of the girl
is known. Blood groups and DNA profiles of the father, the girl and three
females were used to determine maternity (biological mother).

The data below shows the results of the two procedures.

DNA PROFILES

Father Girl Female 1 Female 2 Female 3

BLOOD GROUPS

Father Girl Female 1 Female 2 Female 3

B O AB B A

3.3.1 Identify the biological mother of the girl using DNA profiles. (1)

3.3.2 Explain your answer to QUESTION 3.3.1. (3)

3.3.3 Female 1 claims that the girl is her biological child.

State TWO reasons why she may reasonably argue against the use of
DNA profiling to determine maternity. (2)

3.3.4 The father is heterozygous for blood type. Use a genetic cross to prove
that female 1 is not a biological mother. (6)

3.3.5 Explain why the maternity of the girl could not be established using
blood groups only. (5)
(17)

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3.4 A scientific investigation was conducted with 30 athletes to determine the

effect of nicotine on energy levels (stamina).

The procedure was as follows:

• The group of athletes was given the first cup of tea, containing no nicotine,
to drink. (Cup A)
• The group then had to run for as long as possible at the same speed.
• They ran around a 600 m track on level ground.
• The group was given a second cup of tea, containing nicotine, to drink
before running for the second time. (Cup B)

The table below shows the average time the group of athletes was able to run
after drinking Cup A and drinking Cup B.

AVERAGE TIME DURATION OF

TYPE OF TEA
RUNNING (Minutes)
Cup A (220ml without nicotine) 79
Cup B (220ml with nicotine) 135

3.4.1 State:

(a) the dependent variable (1)

(b) how the dependent variable was measured (1)

3.4.2 State the relationship between nicotine consumption and the stamina
of the athletes. (2)

3.4.3 The procedure does not indicate how much time passed between
each running exercise.

Explain why this is an important factor to know. (2)

3.4.4 Explain the purpose of giving the athletes Cup A tea to drink during
the investigation. (2)

3.4.5 Describe the changes that will occur in the blood vessels of the skin
and the blood flow in the athletes during this investigation. (2)

3.4.6 State ONE way in which the investigator could have improved the
validity of this investigation. (1)
(11)

TOTAL SECTION B: 100

GRAND TOTAL: 150

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