NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

LIFE SCIENCES P1

SEPTEMBER 2024

MARKING GUIDELINES

MARKS: 150

These marking guidelines consist of 10 pages.

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Life Sciences/P1 2 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES

1. If more information than marks allocated is given

Stop marking when maximum marks are reached and put a wavy line and ‘max’ in
the right-hand margin.

2. If, for example, three reasons are required and five are given
Mark the first three irrespective of whether all or some are correct/incorrect.

3. If whole process is given when only a part of it is required

Read all and credit the relevant part.

4. If comparisons are asked for but descriptions are given

Accept if the differences/similarities are clear.

5. If tabulation is required but paragraphs are given

Candidates will lose marks for not tabulating.

6. If diagrams are given with annotations when descriptions are required

Candidates will lose marks.

7. If flow charts are given instead of descriptions

Candidates will lose marks.

8. If sequence is muddled and links do not make sense

Where sequence and links are correct, credit. Where sequence and links are
incorrect, do not credit. If sequence and links become correct again, resume credit.

9. Non-recognised abbreviations
Accept if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognized
abbreviation but credit the rest of the answer if correct.

10. Wrong numbering

If answer fits into the correct sequence of questions but the wrong number is given,
it is acceptable.

11. If language used changes the intended meaning

Do not accept.

12. Spelling errors

If recognizable, accept the answer, provided it does not mean something else in Life
Sciences or if it is out of context.

13. If common names are given in terminology

Accept, provided it was accepted at the National memo discussion meeting.

14. If only the letter is asked for but only the name is given (and vice versa)
Do not credit.

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NSC – Marking Guidelines

15. If units are not given in measurements

Candidates will lose marks. Marking guideline will allocate marks for units
separately.

16. Be sensitive to the sense of an answer, which may be stated in a different way.
17. Caption
All illustrations (diagrams, drawings, graphs, tables, etc.) must have a caption.

18. Code-switching of official languages (terms and concepts)

A single word or two that appear(s) in any official language other than the learners’
assessment language used to the greatest extent in his/her answers should be
credited, if it is correct. A marker that is proficient in the relevant official language
should be consulted. This is applicable to all official languages.

19. Changes to the marking guideline

No changes must be made to the marking guideline without consulting the Provincial
Internal Moderator.
20. Official marking guideline
Only the official marking guidelines must be used.

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Life Sciences/P1 4 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 1.1.1 C

1.1.2 A
1.1.3 C
1.1.4 D
1.1.5 B
1.1.6 A
1.1.7 D
1.1.8 B
1.1.9 A (9 x 2) (18)

1.2 1.2.1 Accommodation

1.2.2 Multiple sclerosis
1.2.3 Homeostasis
1.2.4 Endocrine gland
1.2.5 Osmoregulation
1.2.6 Prolactin
1.2.7 Vasoconstriction (7)

1.3 1.3.1 B only

1.3.2 B only
1.3.3 None (3 x 2) (6)

1.4 1.4.1 F - Growth hormone/somatotropin (2)

1.4.2 B - Pancreas (2)
1.4.3 A - Ovary (2)
1.4.4 E - Thyroid gland (2)
1.4.5 C - Testosterone (2)
(10)

1.5 1.5.1 The type of development where the young can move and feed
directly after hatching (1)

1.5.2 Plays a role in gaseous exchange (1)

1.5.3 Fish/mammals Any 1 (1)
1.5.4 A - yolk  (sac) (2)
1.5.5 Amnion/amniotic fluid (1)
1.5.6 (a) Fish (1)
(b) Birds/Reptiles/Mammals Any 1 (1)
(c) Mammals (1)
(9)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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Life Sciences/P1 5 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 2.1.1 (a) A - Iris

Controls the size of the pupil/amount of light entering the
eye (2)

(b) E - Optic nerve

Carries impulses to the cerebrum (2)

2.1.2 Prescription lenses(glasses or contact lenses)/laser

surgery/cornea transplant (1)

2.1.3 - The circular muscles (of the iris) contract

- The radial muscles relax
- The pupil constricts
- The amount of light entering the eye is decreased/less light
enters the eye (4)
(9)

2.2 2.2.1 (a) Implantation (1)

(b) Gestation (1)

2.2.2 - The zygote undergoes mitosis

- to form ball of cells/morula
- which develops into a hollow ball of cells/blastocyst/blastula (3)

2.2.3 The embryo/foetus:

- will not be protected from shock and mechanical injuries/can
get injured easily.
- will not be hydrated/can dehydrate.
- will not be kept within a small temperature range/ can
overheat/ get too cold.
- will not move freely for growth and development/can under-
develop muscles. (4)

2.2.4 - Gaseous exchange: the umbilical vein carries oxygen to

the foetus
OR
- Gaseous exchange: the umbilical artery carries carbon
dioxide away from the foetus
OR
- Nutrition: the umbilical vein carries nutrients to the foetus.
OR
- Waste removal: the umbilical artery carries nitrogenous
waste away from the foetus Any (2 x 2) (4)
(13)

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Life Sciences/P1 6 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

2.3 2.3.1 A - Urethra (1)

2.3.2 (a) F (1)

(b) E (1)

(c) D (1)

2.3.3 If the scrotum/part G is exposed to high temperature:

- It will reduce the production of sperms /spermatogenesis

- in the testes
- causing them to be unhealthy/denatured (4)
- making the person infertile

2.3.4 T
Oogenesis Spermatogenesis
Takes place in the ovary Takes place in the testes
Begins before birth/during Begins at puberty
foetal development
One functional ovum (and 3 Four functional sperm cells
polar bodies)
No continuous production after Continuous production
a certain age throughout reproductive life
(Mark first TWO only) Any (2 x 2) + 1 for table (5)

2.3.5

Ovum

Criteria for marking:

Criteria Mark allocation
Caption 1
Correct diagram drawn 1
Any 2 labels 2 (4)
(17)

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Life Sciences/P1 7 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

2.4 2.4.1 Day 14 (accept day 15) (1)

2.4.2 Days 0-6/7 (1)

2.4.3 The endometriumbreakdown (2)

2.4.4 To maintain the thickness of the endometrium/keep it vascular and

glandular for implantation (2)

2.4.5 As the level of oestrogen increasesthe thickness of the

endometrium increases (2)

2.4.6 (a) No (1)

(b) - corpus luteum started to degeneratecausing a decrease

in progesterone levels

OR

- progesterone levels have decreasedcausing the

endometrium to break down/leading to menstruation

OR

- progesterone levels have decreasedstimulating the

secretion of LH/LH starts to increase Any (1 x 2) (2)

(11)
[50]

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Life Sciences/P1 8 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

QUESTION 3
3.1 3.1.1 To determine the effect of abscisic acid on plant dormancy
(1)
3.1.2 (a) Abscisic acid (1)

(b) Plant dormancy (1)

(c) - Constant temperature of 28 °C

- Constant humidity of 30 %
- Pear trees of the same age/size
- 8 pear trees in each group
- Treatment period of five days
- Observation period of seven days Any 1 (1)

3.1.3 Falling of leaves/fruits from the tree (1)

3.1.4 - brings about dormancy of seeds/plants

- helps in the closing of stomata during drought/water
shortage
- promotes the ageing of leaves
- induces flowering in some plants Any 2 (2)
(Mark first TWO only)

3.1.5 Learners could have:

- used more than eight trees
- recorded results for more than seven days
- repeated the investigation Any 2 (2)
(Mark first TWO only)

3.1.6 Enzymes will denature causing early shedding/death of

leaves (2)
(11)

3.2 3.2.1 B - Cerebellum (1)

Coordination of voluntary movements/control of muscle tone to
maintain balance/body posture (1)

3.2.2 Cerebrum/Part A (1)

3.2.3 Medulla oblongata (1)

3.2.4 Changes in the direction and speed of movement:

- causes the endolymph in the semi-circular canals to move
- the cristae (found in the ampulla) are stimulated
- and converts the stimulus into an impulse
- which is transmitted via the auditory nerve/vestibular nerve
- to the cerebellum
- from which impulses are transmitted via motor neurons
- to the effector/voluntary muscles/ skeletal muscles
- to maintain/restore balance Any 6 (6)
(10)

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Life Sciences/P1 9 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

3.3 3.3.1 A - ossicles (1)

F - auditory canal (1)

3.3.2 D - Eustachian tube (1)

Equalizes pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane/
eardrum (1)

3.3.3 G  F  E  A  C  B (2)

(2 or NOTHING)

3.3.4 - Sound waves strike the tympanic membrane/eardrum

- causing it to vibrate
- transferring vibrations to ossicles Any 2 (2)

3.3.5 - Pressure waves will not be generatedin the cochlea

- The organ of Corti will not be stimulated
- No stimulus will be converted to an impulse
- Impulse will not be interpreted in the cerebrum
- and the sound will be distorted* /will be unclear
- causing less/no hearing Any 3 + 1 compulsory* (4)
(12)

3.4 3.4.1 Vasodilation involves:

- The relaxation of (smooth) muscles in blood vessels
- leading to an increase in their diameter
- this facilitates increased blood flow to the skin
- promoting heat loss/radiation (4)

3.4.2 Sweating - excess heat is absorbed by watercausing water to

evaporate
Vasodilation - excess heat leaves the skin surfacethrough
radiation Any 3 (3)
(7)

3.5 3.5.1 A complex brain structure embedded deep into the temporal
lobe (1)

3.5.2 (a) Cerebrum (1)

(b) Medulla oblongata (1)

3.5.3 - blocks signals between brain cells/makes chemical and

molecular modifications to the brain
- decrease the brain volume (cerebrum/frontal lobe)
- decrease the brain volume (cerebellum)
- damages the liver/pancreas Any 1 (1)

Note: Answers to Q 3.5.4 must link to Q 3.5.3.

e.g. Bullet 1 in Q 3.5.4 links to bullet 1 in Q 3.5.3

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Life Sciences/P1 10 NW/September 2024
NSC – Marking Guidelines

3.5.4 - Slow reflexesleading to injuries/danger

OR

- Loss of higher order functionscausing memory loss

OR

- Loss of muscle coordinationleading to loss of balance

OR

- Loss of detoxificationleading to accumulation of

toxins/Loss of homeostasis of glucoseleading to
diabetes/Loss of ability to digest foodleading to weight
loss Any (1 x 2) (2)

3.5.5 Alzheimer’s disease (1)

3.5.6 Damage to the pancreas:

- it will not secrete/not secrete enough insulin/glucagon
- blood glucose level will not be controlled
- causing the person to suffer from diabetes(mellitus) (3)
(10)
[50]

TOTAL SECTION B: 100

GRAND TOTAL: 150

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