LIFE SCIENCES

PAPER 1

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

PAPER B
TOTAL: 150

MARKING GUIDELINES

THIS MARKING GUIDELINE CONSISTS OF 12 PAGES

 NSC LIFE SCIENCES P1 B | 2021

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

2021 (B)
LIFE SCIENCES PAPER 1

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES 2021

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 part of it is required

Read all and credit relevant part.

4. If comparisons are asked for and descriptions are given

Accept if 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 unrecognised abbreviation
but credit the rest of 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.

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12. Spelling errors

If recognisable accept provided it does not mean something else in Life Sciences or if it is
out of context.

13. If common names given in terminology

Accept provided it was accepted at the National marking guideline discussion meeting.

14. If only letter is asked for and only name is given (and vice versa)
No credit.

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 appears 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. No changes must be made to the marking memoranda without consulting the SACAI
CHIEF MARKER and SACAI MODERATOR and where applicable, also the UMALUSI
MODERATOR.

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SECTION A
QUESTION 1

1.1.1 D√√
1.1.2 B√√
1.1.3 A√√
1.1.4 C√√
1.1.5 A√√
1.1.6 B√√
1.1.7 C√√
1.1.8 D√√
1.1.9 D√√ (9x2)
[18]

1.2.1 Blastocyst√/Blastula
1.2.2 Renewable√
1.2.3 Peripheral√
1.2.4 Eustachian√ tube
1.2.5 Menstruation√
1.2.6 Binocular vision√
1.2.7 Thermoregulation√
1.2.8 Corpus luteum√
1.2.9 Cerebrospinal√ fluid
1.2.10 Greenhouse√ gases [10]

1.3.1 Both√√
1.3.2 None√√
1.3.3 B (only)√√
1.3.4 A (only)√√
1.3.5 A (only)√√ (5x2)
[10]

1.4.1 A reflex action√ (1)

1.4.2 a) Sensory√/ unipolar (1)

b) Motor√/ multipolar (1)
c) Connector√/ inter (1)

1.4.3 a) Spinal cord√ (1)

b) Dorsal root√ (1)
c) Grey matter√ (1)

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1.4.4 a) Muscle√ of arm (1)

b) Heat from hot pan√ (1)
c) Skin√ of finger (1)

1.4.5 a) Electrical current√ (1)

b) Chemical√ (1)
[12]

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1.1 Crossing over√ (1)

2.1.2 • Exchange of genetic material√/genes

• between inner chromatids√/ non-sister chromatids
• of homologous chromosomes√.
• New recombinant chromatids are produced√.
(Any correct THREE answers) (3)

2.1.3 Chiasma√ (1)

2.1.4 Prophase I√ (1)

2.1.5 • Chromatids with unique combination of genes√ are produced.

• This increases genetic variation√ among the daughter cells and
• increase the survival√ of the species. (3)
[9]

2.2.1 Presence of growing tip√/apical bud. (1)

2.2.2 • In diagram A the growing tip is present and therefore a high auxin
concentration occurs√.
• The development of lateral buds/branches close to the tip is inhibited√
• In diagram B the growing tip was removed and the auxin concentration
is low√.
• Lateral buds/branches are not inhibited√ / development of side or lateral
branches occur. (4)

2.2.3 The plant grows bushier√/increases fruit formation. (1)

2.2.4 Diagram A: Main stem will bend towards light source√.

Diagram B: Main stem will continue to grow straight√. (2)

2.2.5 Phototropism√ (1)

[9]

2.3.1 Thyroid√ gland (1)

2.3.2 Below the larynx√/ front of neck / either side of trachea. (1)

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2.3.3 The basal metabolic rate√ (1)

2.3.4 • The injection causes the basal metabolic rate to increase√

• for 10 days√
• After 10 days the metabolic rate decreases√. (3)

2.3.5 • Increases the heart rate√.

• Increases the breathing rate√.
• Essential for normal functioning of the nervous system√.
(Any correct answer) (Mark FIRST answer only) (1)

2.3.6 a) Negative feedback√

b)
• Pituitary gland√/hypophysis
• secretes more TSH√.
• Thyroid gland is stimulated more√ and secretes more thyroxin. (3)

2.3.7 Iodine√ (1)

[12]
TOTAL QUESTION 2: 30

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QUESTION 3

3.1.1 • Endocrine glands – ductless glands√ / glands that release their

secretions directly into the blood stream.
• Exocrine glands – glands that release their secretions via ducts√. (2)

3.1.2 Pancreas√ (1)

3.1.3 a) Adrenalin√ (1)

b) Aldosterone√ (1)
c) Glucagon√ (1)

3.1.4 Hypophysis√/pituitary gland (1)

[7]

3.2.1 - The use of large quantities of fertilisers√.

- When it flows into rivers and dams it causes an increase in the growth of
algae√ /algal bloom.
OR
- The use of large quantities of insecticides√.
- When it flows into water sources it may causes health problems e.g.,
cancer√.
(Any correct 1x2) (Mark first answer only) (2)

3.2.2 • Use of recycled water to irrigate greens and fairways√.

• Less wastage of water√.
• Planting of indigenous plants after construction√.
• These plants use/need less water to grow√ than exotic species. (4)

3.2.3 • Providing work opportunities√.

• More consumers to buy from local shops√ / making use of local service
providers.
• Municipalities can improve infra structure√ of rural areas.
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

3.2.4 A species originally occurring naturally in a specific area.√ (1)

[9]

3.3.1 a) Endometrium√ (1)

b) Umbilical cord√ (1)
c) Amniotic fluid√ (1)

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3.3.2 • Provides watery medium in which foetus can freely move√/develop.

• Protects foetus from mechanical shock√/injury.
• Protects foetus from dehydration√/desiccation.
• Protects foetus from temperature change√.
(Any THREE correct answers) (Mark first THREE answers only) (3)

1
3.3.3 × 100√= 0,5√ % (2)
200

3.3.4 a) Less or no oxygen and nutrients√ will diffuse from the mother’s blood to
the foetal blood√. (2)
b) Placental abruption cause bleeding√ between placenta and uterus wall.
Mother can lose too much blood√. (2)

3.3.5 • Prevents entry of pathogenic organisms into blood of the foetus√ /act as
a microfilter to keep pathogenic organisms away from foetus.
• Antibodies in maternal blood pass through to foetus√ (2)
[14]

TOTAL QUESTION 3: 30

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SECTION C

QUESTION 4

4.1.1 Heading: The percentage soil degradation by different causes in Africa and
Asia√.

Cause of soil Amount of soil degradation (%) in

degradation√ different countries. √
Africa Asia
Overgrazing 57,8 32,1
Deforestation 5,8 30,1
Agricultural activities 19,5 26,1
Overexploitation of 16,9 11,4
vegetation for domestic
use.
All border lines of table drawn.√
Information in rows:
3 – 4 rows correct√√ IF data from Africa and Asia ONLY is illustrated
1 – 2 rows correct √ IF data from Arica and Asia ONLY is
illustrated (6)

4.1.2 Overgrazing√ (1)

4.1.3 52,1% - 19,5%√ = 32,6√% (2)

4.1.4 • Livestock excessively feeds on pasture√ / grazing of livestock on

vegetation before it has recovered from a former grazing.
• Less plant roots to bind soil√ and soil erosion will occur.
• Overstocking or excessive feeding reduces ground cover and reduces
ability of plants to grow√.
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

4.1.5 • Reduced productivity√/ food security

• Poverty√ in local communities
(Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

4.1.6 • Removing trees for firewood√

• Removing trees for building materials√
• Removing plants for medicinal use√
(Any correct answers) (Mark first answers only) (1)
[14]

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4.2.1 • To assist couples that are unable to achieve a pregnancy due to male
infertility√/ male partner has low sperm count.
• To assist single women/ women in same sex-relationship to become
parents√.
• To assist couples where the male carries a genetic disease√.
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

4.2.2 • Sperm count√.

• Sperm morphology√ / motility.
• Genetic diseases√/ chromosomal abnormalities.
• STD’s√.
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

4.2.3 Yes
• Donors must be compensated for expenses like travel costs/ loss of work
hours√.
• Payment for sperm donation will motivate males to donate√.

No
• Illegal to accept payment for body parts√ / blood donors do not receive
payment.
• Payment can lead to multiple donations that can cause problems like
siblings getting married to each other√.
• Donors must donate sperm to help other people and not for financial
gain.√
(Any correct TWO motivations) (2)
[6]
TOTAL QUESTION 4: 20

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QUESTION 5

Role of the eye and nervous system

• Light rays enter the eye√.
• They are refracted√ by the cornea√
• aqueous humour√, lens√ and vitreous humour√
• to focus a clear image√ on the yellow spot√
• on the retina√.
• When the light-sensitive photoreceptors√/rods and cones in the retina
are stimulated by incoming light rays√ they discharge nerve impulses√.
• The nerve impulses travel along the optic nerve√
to the occipital lobe√ of the cerebrum√
• where the sensation of sight arises√.
(Any 10) (10)

Adaption of eye for observation of nearby objects

• The process is known as accommodation√.
• The ciliary muscles√ contract√.
• The ciliary body√ moves closer to the lens√.
• The suspensory ligaments√ slacken√ / less tension on the ligaments.
• The lens√ becomes more convex√.
• More refraction of light√ by the lens.
• A sharply focused image falls on the retina√.
(Any 7) (7)

Facts: 17
Synthesis mark allocation:
Relevance Logical sequence Comprehension
(R) (L) (C)
Elaboration All information Ideas are arranged The role of the eye and
is relevant to in a logical nervous system in sight
the question sequence. and accommodation are
provided. addressed.
Essay Only information Description of how the Role of eye and brain:
relevant to how the human eye and brain 8/10
human eye and accomplish sight and Accommodation for close
brain accomplish accommodation must be objects: 5/7
sight and in a logical and correct
accommodation. sequence.
Mark 1 1 1
allocation
(17 facts + 3 synthesis) [20]

TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 150

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