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GRAAD 12

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

LIFE SCIENCES P2

NOVEMBER 2023

MARKS: 150

TIME: 2½ hours

This question paper consists of 15 pages.

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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. 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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SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question
numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.9) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D.

1.1.1 The base pairing in DNA was discovered by …

A Watson and Wilkins.

B Franklin and Wilkins.
C Franklin and Crick.
D Crick and Watson.

1.1.2 A gene codes for the production of …

A a chromosome.
B an allele.
C DNA.
D a protein.

1.1.3 Which ONE of the following is a characteristic of stem cells?

A They are easily obtained from any organ.

B They divide by meiosis.
C They are haploid.
D They can be stimulated to form any type of cell needed.

1.1.4 The chances of having a female child in humans is …

A 25%
B 50%
C 75%
D 100%

1.1.5 Which ONE of the following is part of the reason why colour-
blindness is more common in males than in females?

A The allele for colour-blindness is recessive and located on

the X-chromosome.
B Colour-blind males have two copies of the allele for colour-
blindness.
C The allele for colour-blindness is recessive and located on
the Y-chromosome.
D Fathers pass the allele of colour-blindness to their sons only.

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1.1.6 The DNA profile of four individuals are given below.

W X Y Z

Which individuals are possible members of the same family?

A X and Z only
B X, Y and Z only
C W, Y and Z only
D W, X and Y only

1.1.7 When two plants heterozygous for a characteristic are crossed,

the expected ratio is:

Dominant Recessive
phenotype phenotype
A 3 : 1
B 1 : 3
C 1 : 2
D 1 : 1

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1.1.8 The diagram below represents the structure of chromosomes at

different stages of meiotic cell division.

Q R S T

Which ONE of the following chromosomes would be found in a cell

during late Anaphase II?

A Q
B R
C S
D T

1.1.9 The scientist who discovered Little Foot is …

A Lee Berger.
B Raymond Dart.
C Ron Clarke.
D Robert Broom. (9 x 2) (18)

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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 numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK.

1.2.1 The position of a gene on a chromosome

1.2.2 The type of evolution characterised by long periods of little or no

change followed by short periods of rapid change

1.2.3 The natural shape of a DNA molecule

1.2.4 The type of bond found between two amino acids

1.2.5 The type of vision shared in primates that allows for depth
perception

1.2.6 The type of dominance which results in an intermediate phenotype

in the heterozygous condition

1.2.7 The fluid of the nucleus where free nucleotides are found

1.2.8 A tangled mass of chromosomes located within the nucleus

1.2.9 The division of the cytoplasm after a nuclear division

1.2.10 The name for the X and Y sex chromosomes in humans (10 x 1) (10)

1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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 numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in
the ANSWER BOOK.

COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 A genetic disorder caused by a A: Haemophilia
chromosomal mutation B: Colour-blindness

1.3.2 The importance of meiosis A: Formation of gametes

B: Halving of the chromosome
number
1.3.3 The organelle where DNA is A: Mitochondria
found in plants B: Chloroplast
(3 x 2) (6)

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1.4 The diagram below shows the inheritance of blood groups in a family.

blood blood
group O group O

Athi Chris

Bob Ann Lina Vusi

blood blood blood blood

group B group A group A group O

1.4.1 Name the type of diagram shown. (1)

1.4.2 Give the number of alleles that control blood groups. (1)

1.4.3 How many generations are represented in the diagram? (1)

1.4.4 Lina's genotype is IA i.

State ALL the possible genotypes of Vusi. (2)

1.4.5 Give the genotype of Bob. (1)

1.4.6 Give the name of the individual which displays co-dominance. (2)
(8)

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1.5 The diagram below is a schematic representation of protein synthesis.

3 4

O
Process Z

1.5.1 Identify:

(a) Process Z (1)

(b) Molecule R (1)

(c) Organelle Q (1)

1.5.2 Give the collective name of nitrogenous bases O. (1)

1.5.3 Determine the sequence of the nitrogenous bases at area S. (1)

1.5.4 Which strand (1 or 2) was used as a template for the formation of

molecule R? (1)

1.5.5 Which amino acid (3, 4 or 5) will be brought to area P? (1)

1.5.6 Name the type of sugar that forms part of the structure of
molecule R. (1)
(8)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 The diagrams below represent two stages of meiotic cell division.

B
A
C
A

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

2.1.1 Name structure:

(a) B (1)

(b) C (1)

2.1.2 Identify the phase represented in Diagram 1. (1)

2.1.3 Give THREE reasons for your answer to QUESTION 2.1.2. (3)

2.1.4 Describe the process taking place at A. (3)

2.1.5 (a) Identify the phase represented in Diagram 2. (1)

(b) Describe the difference in the events that take place in the
phase mentioned in (a) and the same phase during mitosis. (2)

2.1.6 Describe the results at the end of meiosis if the chromosomes at D

failed to separate. (3)
(15)

2.2 Describe the process of DNA replication. (6)

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2.3 Read the information below.

A gene, VKORC1, codes for a blood-clotting factor in humans. This gene is

made up of 163 amino acids.

A mutation occurred that affected amino acid 128 and 139, the sequence
CTG changed to CAG and the TAT became TCT. This mutation has been
transmitted as an autosomal dominant characteristic through the generations.

The mutation has resulted in resistance to Warfarin drugs in humans.

Warfarin is used in the treatment of thrombosis. Thrombosis results in the
formation of a blood clot in the artery. Warfarin causes the thinning of blood to
break down the blood clot.

2.3.1 Give ONE piece of evidence from the information that shows that the
mutation for this gene occurred in the DNA molecule. (1)

2.3.2 How many nitrogenous bases code for the VKORC1 gene? (2)

2.3.3 Describe what is meant by an autosomal dominant allele. (3)

2.3.4 The table below shows the amino acids and their corresponding
codons.

CODONS AMINO ACID

GAC Leu
UCU Ser
AUA Try
GUC Gln
AGA Arg
ACA Trp
CAG Gln
UAU Phe

Explain:

(a) How the mutation on the VKORC1 gene resulted in resistance

to Warfarin in humans (5)

(b) The effect of this mutation on humans with thrombosis (3)

(14)

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2.4 Polydactyly is a condition that leads to extra fingers or toes. It is caused by a

dominant allele.

A man who is heterozygous for polydactyly has a wife who is not polydactyl.

Using the letters R and r, do a genetic cross to show the percentage chance
that their children will have polydactyly. (6)

2.5 In summer squash plants, white fruit colour (B) is dominant over yellow fruit
colour (b), and round fruit (D) is dominant over oval fruit (d).

A summer squash plant that is homozygous for white and round fruit is
crossed with a plant that is homozygous for yellow and oval fruit.

2.5.1 State the:

(a) Genotypes of the P1-parents (2)

(b) Phenotypes of the F1-generation (2)

2.5.2 Two plants that are heterozygous for both characteristics were
crossed.

(a) Give ALL the possible genotypes in the gametes that will be
formed. (2)

(b) How many plants in the next generation are likely to have
yellow and oval fruit? (1)

2.5.3 Give the possible genotypes of both parents that must be crossed if
a farmer wants summer squash that are white with oval fruit only. (2)
(9)
[50]

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QUESTION 3

3.1 The graph below shows the results of artificial selection for protein content in
mealie plants over 50 generations.

21

20
Average percentage protein content in

19

18
mealie grains (kernels)

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Generations of mealie plants

3.1.1 Describe how this farmer did artificial selection of the mealie plant. (3)

3.1.2 What was the average percentage of the protein content in the
mealie grains (kernels) at the 15th generation? (1)

3.1.3 By how many times did the average percentage of the protein
content in the mealie grains (kernels) increase between the 40th and
50th generation? Show ALL working. (2)

3.1.4 Describe ONE way in which the process of artificial selection is

different from genetic engineering. (2)
(8)

3.2 Describe Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. (7)

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3.3 An investigation was done to determine the relationship between the height of
the head and bite force in lizards.

The procedure was as follows:

 The scientists collected 120 lizards with similar characteristics that were
around the same reproductive age in different habitats.
 Their body characteristics and DNA were analysed to determine if they
belonged to the same species.
 40 lizards belonged to species A, 36 to species B and 44 to species C.
 Each species was kept in its cage with environmental conditions similar to
their habitats.
 The height of the head was measured for each lizard and averages
calculated for each species.
 Using a Kistler force, the bite force of each lizard in each species was
measured five times and the average calculated for each lizard and each
species.

The results are shown in the table below.

Height of the head Bite force

Species
(mm) (N)
A 10,3 12,4
B 10,7 14,3
C 13,2 20,4

3.3.1 Identify the:

(a) Independent variable (1)

(b) Dependent variable (1)

3.3.2 State TWO factors that were kept constant for this investigation. (2)

3.3.3 Apart from the sample size, state ONE way in which the reliability of
the results was ensured for this investigation. (1)

3.3.4 The height of the head was different in each species of lizard.

Name the type of variation displayed by this characteristic. (1)

3.3.5 Describe the relationship between the height of the head of the
lizards and the bite force. (2)

3.3.6 Which species (A, B or C) would be expected to be feeding mainly

on tough fibrous plants? (1)

3.3.7 Explain your answer to QUESTION 3.3.6. (2)

3.3.8 Which species (A, B or C) would be most suited to live in narrow

areas between the rocks? (1)
(12)
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3.4 The diagram below shows a timeline of different hominid species and the
development of tools.

Present
4 mya 3 mya 2 mya 1 mya

A. afarensis

A. africanus

H. habilis

H. erectus

H. neanderthalensis

H. sapiens

Development of tools

For scraping, Bigger, cutting Complex,

pounding and surfaces, arrows tied to
chopping digging hand axe sticks and
fishing tools

3.4.1 Which species in the diagram above existed/survived for the longest
period of time? (1)

3.4.2 Calculate the period (million years) in which the A. afarensis and
A. africanus coexisted. Show ALL working. (2)

3.4.3 Name the species that was also known as the handyman. (1)

3.4.4 State TWO uses of the tool that was developed 2,6 mya. (2)

3.4.5 Identify TWO species that used the most complex tools. (2)

3.4.6 Explain how the changes in brain size over time relates to the
development of tools. (3)
(11)

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3.5 The diagrams below show the skulls and pelvises of different hominids.

H. sapiens A. sediba

A B C

3.5.1 State the genus name of A. sediba. (1)

3.5.2 Describe the shape of the spine of H. sapiens. (1)

3.5.3 A. sediba is thought to be a transitional species.

State what is meant by a transitional species. (2)

3.5.4 Give the LETTER of the pelvis that would be representative of

A. sediba. (1)

3.5.5 Explain your answer to QUESTION 3.5.4. (2)

3.5.6 Explain the significance of the change in prognathism from

A. sediba to H. sapiens. (5)
(12)
[50]

TOTAL SECTION B: 100

GRAND TOTAL: 150

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