Life Sciences Paper 2 (English)

November 2017 — Grade 12 / Matric — Life Sciences

Past Paper 2017 Grade 12 English Life Sciences Hub →

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Q1— Section header —

1.1Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A to D\ next to the question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10\ in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 D.

1.1

1.1.2

1.1.3Charles Darwin based the theor of evolution through natural selection on many observations Which

1.1Antibiotic resistan ce in bacteria an example of evolution in present times. Which ONE of the following is a

1.1Study the s tatements about alleles below (i\ Alternate forms of gene are called alleles (ii\ There always

1.1.5Three related species share a common ancestor. Species and share the MOST RECENT common ancestor. Which phylogenetic tree most accurately represent

1.1.7Which ONE of the following is a reproductive isolating mechanism? Breeding at different times of the year ame pollinators for different species of plants Absence of a geographic barrier Cloning QUESTIONS 1.1.

1.1Which fly is homozygous for antennae shape and heterozygous for body pattern Fly Fly Fly Fly

1.1What he genotype of

1.1Which ONE of the following represent the possible gametes ly (10 x 2\ (20\

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

1.2.9itrogenous base found only in RNA molecules The us e of biological processes, organisms or systems

1.3Indicate whether each of the statements 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

1.3.1Feature of chimpanzee skulls Prognathism Forward position of foramen magnum

1.3.2Similarity between humans and African apes Opposable thumb A short and wide pelvis

1.3.3Discovered the fossil called 'Little oot' B: Raymond Dart Ron Clarke (3 x 2\ (6\

1.4Mendel observed some haracteristics of the pea plant ( Pis um sativum\ which suggested were ontrolled by inherited factors

1.4.2Name the female structure the flower where meiosis occurs. (1\

1.4.3Use the information in the table above to giv e the NUMBER of EACH of the following:

1.4Give the characteristic that (a\ (b\ ominant for flower colou ecessive for stem height

1.4.5If the individuals of the generation are crossed, how many phenotypes for seed colour would be expected in the generation? (1\

1.5The diagram below represents a process that occurs during protein synthesis.

1.5.1Identify the process above (1\

1.5.2Identify (a\ (b\ (c\ Organelle Molecule The b ond at (1\

1.5.3Give only the LETTER of the molecule that: (a\ (b\ (c\ Carries the amino acid Is copied from DNA Is the

Q2— Section header —

2.1The sequence of amino acids in a protein molec ule is coded for by DNA and The table below shows some mRNA codons and the corresponding amino acids mRNA CODONS AMINO ACID AGC

2.1.3According to the table, h ow many codons code for phenylalanine What is the anticodon for glutamic acid? A section of mRNA has the following base sequence and is read from left to right

2.1A mutation occurred which resulted in the following base sequence on the mRNA molecule GAU GAC AGU AUG ACC (a\

Q2— Section header —

2.1.5Name and describe the process occur ring in the nucleus which results in the formation of an mRNA molecule. (6\ (14\

2.2A mutation ccurred within a population of squirrels This population was then separated by a river. Many years later it was discovered that the original population had undergone speciation. The process

2.2.5Define population Other than mutations, give THREE causes of variation in a population. Explain why there were eventually more squirrels with the mutation on one side of the river.

2.3Colour blindness (Daltonism\ is a sex linked disorder caused by a recessive allele The diagram below shows the inheritance of this disorder

2.3.1Give the: (a\ (b\ Phenotype of Senzo Genotype of Thuli (1\ (1\

2.3.2Describe how Linda inherited colour blindness.

2.3.3Explain why there are generally more males than females with colour blindness in a population

2.3Molly married a normal male . Use a genetic cross to show the possible genotypes and phenotypes of their children. (6\ (14\ [40]40

Q3— Section header —

3.1Scientists use fossils as evidence for human evolution. The brain volume of some extinct primates has been estimated from their fossils and have been compared to the brain volumes of living primates. The results are shown in the table below.

3.1.1Apart from fossil evidence, give TWO other type of evidence for human evolution.

3.1.2Which primate became extinct first (1\

3.1.3The brain of an organism is not preserved as a fossil. How do scientists determine the brain volume of extinct primates? (2\

3.1.4Calculate the difference in brain volume (in cm between the two living primates Show ALL calculations

3.1.5Give evidence the table that suggests tha (a\ (b\ Homo habilis Homo erectus

3.1.6Draw a bar graph to show the average brain volume EACH of the species of the

3.2Read the extract below Long before the development of agricultural crops, outh Africa villagers would pick the sweetest and largest fruits of the marula tree and scatter them around their camps. The seeds of these fruit would germinate and grow into

3.2.6Name the characteristics that the villagers were selecting. Explain how this practice is an example of artificial selection. Give ONE environmental factor that c ould affect the characteris tics named

Q3— Section header —

3.3species of mice have different fur colours in different habitats. Scientists observed that there were more mice with a lighter fur colour in a beach habitat where the sand was lighter in colour . Also, there were m

3.3.6State TWO dependent variable How many mice with a light fur colour were placed

Q4— Section header —

Topics Identified

Cell BiologyGeneticsEvolutionEcologyAnimal Behaviour

Mark Allocation

Total150 marks

Sections40 + 40 = 80 marks

Paper information

SubjectLife Sciences

Year2017

SessionNovember

TypePast Paper

PaperPaper 2

LanguageEnglish

Pages15

Downloads5

Examination context

Decade2010s

Years ago9y

SeasonSpring (SH)

Start daySunday

Exam periodNovember 2017

Days since exam3,275

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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