Life Sciences Paper 2 (English)

November 2024 — Grade 12 / Matric — Life Sciences

Past Paper 2024 Grade 12 English Life Sciences Hub →

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1.1Various 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 1.1.10\ in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11

1.1.1Which ONE of the following organelles is the site of protein synthesis? Ribosomes Chloroplasts

1.1.2In humans, the gonosomes determine the gender. Which combination below shows the CORRECT gonosomes for males and females?

1.1.3An organism has the genotype TT. The CORRECT term which describes this organism s genotype

1.1.4Down syndrome is a genetic disorder where an individual has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Which ONE of the following may lead to Down syndrome? Failure of chromosomes to replicate during mitosis

1.1.5A gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time is punctuated equilibrium. genetic engineering. speciation.

1.1.6Which ONE of the following is a reproductive isolation mechanism? Adaptation to the same pollinator Species specific courtship behaviour

1.1.7Analysis of mitochondrial DNA is an example of is line of evidence

1.1.8Which option in the table below shows the CORRECT comparison between mitosis and meiosis? MITOSIS MEIOSIS

1.1.9Which ONE of the following scientists discovered the fossil Taung hild? Lee Berger Ron Clarke

1.1.10Which ONE of the following is produced at the end of translation? A DNA molecule A messenger RNA molecule A protein An amino acid

1.2Give the correct biological term for EACH of the following descriptions. Write only the term next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.9\ in the ANSWER BOOK.

1.2.3A nucleic acid that carries hereditary information The chromosome condition of a cell that has a single set of chromosomes The structure that holds the two chromatids of a chromosome together

1.2.6The type of RNA that carries specific amino acids to the site of protein synthesis The analysis of DNA samples to identify individuals or relationships between individuals A representation of the number and

1.2.8A group of similar organisms that are able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring The phase of meiosis where paired chromosomes are arranged at the equator

1.2.9The biotechnolog ical process that produces genetically identical organisms (9 x 1\ (9\

1.3Indicate 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

1.3.1A source of variation in populations A: Random fertilisation B: Random mating

1.3.2Discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule A: Franklin and Wilkins B: Lamarck and Darwin

1.3.3Occurs during meiosis A: Karyokinesis B: Cytokinesis (3 x 2\

1.4The diagram below represents a DNA molecule undergoing an important biological process.

1.4.1Identify the: (a\ (b\ Process shown in the diagram Chemical bond labelled (1\ (1\

1.4.2ive the (a\ (b\ Collective name for the parts labelled

1.4.4During which phase of the cell cycle does this process take place? Where in the cell does this process occur? (1\ (1\

1.5In a certain species of butterfly, one gene controls wing spot colour and another controls eye colour. The wing spot colour can be red spots ( \ or grey spots (

1.5.2Name the type of cross represented above. Give the dominant characteristic of EACH gene. (1\ (2\

1.5.3The table below shows the phenotypes and all the possible genotypes of the offspring. PHENOTYPES ALL POSSIBLE GENOTYPES Red spots, brown eyes (X\ (Y\ RrEe

2.1The diagram below represents a certain stage of protein synthesis. (The sequence of bases is read from left to right

2.1.4Identify molecule Describe the process that resulted in the formation of molecule Give ONE structural difference between molecule

2.1.5The table below shows some amino acids coded for by codons on molecule CODON AMINO ACID AGA Arginine UCU

2.2The diagram below represents a phase of meiosis II

2.2.2Identify the phase of meiosis shown. State ONE difference between the phase shown in the diagram above and the same phase in meiosis (1\ (2\

2.2.3Identify structure: (a\ (b\ (1\ (1\

2.2.4Describe the role of structure during cell division. (2\

2.2.5Draw a labelled diagram representing the cell above as it would have appeared in metaphase II NOT

2.3The table below shows the percentage of blood donors for each of the blood groups in South Africa for 2018. BLOOD GROUP % DONORS 48 38

2.3.2According to the data which is the most common blood group among the donors? Name the type of dominance shown by the inheritance of blood group

2.3.3Explain how it is possible for a man with blood group and a woman with blood group AB to have a child with blood group (5\

2.3.4Plot a bar graph to represent the data in the table. (6\ (13\ if Sciences

2.4Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition that causes muscles to weaken over time . It is caused by a recessive allele on the X chromosome (X \.

2.4.1How many offspring do individuals and have? (1\

2.4.2ive the (a\ (b\ Phenotype of individual Genotype of individual

2.4.3Explain why more males than females are likely to have muscular dystrophy. (4\

2.4.4Parents and plan to have another child. Use a genetic cross to show the percentage chance of having child

3.1Read the passage below GENETICALLY MODIFIED MAIZE The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces a toxin called Bt

3.1.1Describe how the Bt maize is genetically modified to be insect resistant. (3\

3.1.2Explain TWO reasons why farmers might want to grow Bt maize. (4\ (7\

3.2The phylogenetic tree below shows the evolutionary relationship between some species.

3.2.2Identify the species that is most closely related to Old world monkeys. (1\ (1\

Q3— Section header —

3.2.5State THREE characteristics of the upper limbs that humans share with group (3\ (9\ New

3.3group of researchers conducted an investigation to determine the influence of the type of milk on the height of children drinking the milk. (The investigation was conducted over a period of 7 years from age 3 to age 10\.

3.3.1Identify the: (a\ (b\ Independent variable Dependent variable (1\ (1\

3.3.3Name the type of variation displayed by the height of a person. State TWO planning steps that the researchers had to consider at the beginning of this investigation. (1\ (2\

3.3.4State THREE ways in which the validity of this investigation was ensured. (3\

3.3.5State ONE factor that could have negatively affected the validity of this investigation. (1\

3.3.6How did the researchers ensure the reliability of the results? (1\

3.3.7State the conclusion for this investigation. (2\ (12\ if Sciences

3.4The passage below describes Homo erectus fossils. Evidence from fossils of Homo erectus shows that they appeared in Africa about 2 million years ago. They spread to many parts of Asia. Homo

3.4.2Describe how the fossils of Homo erectus are used to support the Out of

3.4.3Use the information in the passage regarding Homo erectus and tabulate TWO differences between the features of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens

3.4.4What observation of the skull of Homo erectus would have led scientists to conclude that Homo erectus was bipedal? (1\ (13\

3.5Read the passage below. NATURAL SELECTION IN WOLVES In 1986 there was a huge radioactive disaster in Chernobyl and all humans immediately left the area because of the deadly high radiation. Animals exposed to this high radiation developed cancer or died. Almost 40 years

3.5.2What is a mutation What effect does exposure to high radiation have on animals? (1\ (1\

3.5.3Use Darwin s theory of atural election to explain the development of immunity to cancer in these wolves. (7\

Topics Identified

Cell BiologyGeneticsEvolutionAnimal Behaviour

Mark Allocation

Total100 marks

Sections50 + 50 = 100 marks

Paper information

SubjectLife Sciences

Year2024

SessionNovember

TypePast Paper

PaperPaper 2

LanguageEnglish

Pages14

Downloads6

Examination context

Decade2020s

Years ago2y

SeasonSpring (SH)

Start dayTuesday

Exam periodNovember 2024

Days since exam720

About Life Sciences examination preparation

Grade 12 Life Sciences combines biological knowledge with interpretation and scientific reasoning. Paper 1 covers molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology, while Paper 2 tests human physiology, ecology, and evolution.

Every available Grade 12 Life Sciences past paper and memorandum is collected in the Life Sciences hub at life-sciences.freemode.co.za — browse all years, sessions and languages in one place.

How to use this resource for revision

A past examination paper is most useful when it is treated as an active revision exercise. Try the questions yourself before checking the corresponding memorandum. Where you make an error, identify the reason — was it a knowledge gap, a calculation mistake, an interpretation issue, or an examination technique problem?

For stronger examination practice, complete the paper without unnecessary interruptions and keep track of the questions that take the most time. Afterwards, review the memorandum and separate knowledge gaps from mistakes caused by interpretation, calculation, structure, or examination technique.

recalling biological concepts

applying knowledge to unfamiliar situations

interpreting diagrams and information

using scientific terminology

constructing precise written responses

A practical revision approach

Life Sciences rewards exact biological terminology — examiners deduct marks for paraphrased definitions. Create a glossary of key terms and practice using them in context.

Grade 12 subject hubs

Each matric subject has its own dedicated hub on Freemode with every past paper and marking memorandum we have archived for that subject.

➗ Mathematics View papers → 📊 Mathematical Literacy View papers → ⚗️ Physical Sciences View papers → 🧬 Life Sciences 📍 You are here 📒 Accounting View papers → 💼 Business Studies View papers → 📈 Economics View papers → 🌍 Geography View papers → 🏛️ History View papers → 📖 English View papers → 🇿🇦 Afrikaans View papers → 🗣️ IsiNdebele View papers → 🗣️ IsiXhosa View papers → 🗣️ IsiZulu View papers → 🗣️ Sepedi View papers → 🗣️ Sesotho View papers → 🗣️ Setswana View papers → 🌾 Agricultural Sciences View papers →

Corresponding marking memorandum

Marking memorandum available

Use the corresponding memorandum after completing the paper to review your answers and identify areas that require further revision. The memorandum shows the marking approach used by DBE examiners, including method-mark allocations.

Life Sciences Memo 2 (English) →

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