Life sciences p1 feb march 2012 eng version 1

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
VERSION 1 (NEW CONTENT) FOR FULL-TIME CANDIDATES
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
LIFE SCIENCES P1
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
This question paper consists of 15 pages.
Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P1 (Version 1) (Full-time) 2 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2012
NSC
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Answer ALL the questions.
Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.
Start the answers to each question at the top of a NEW page.
Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.
Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.
ALL drawings should be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.
Draw diagrams or flow charts only when asked to do so.
The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
Do NOT use graph paper.
You may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass.
Write neatly and legibly.

NSC
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example
1.1.11 D.
1.1.1 Genes only code for …
A
B
C
D
starch.
proteins.
glucose.
fats.
1.1.2 The wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird are examples of …
A
B
C
D
homologous structures.
vestigial structures.
analogous structures.
common ancestry.
1.1.3 Which ONE of the following is an acceptable explanation based on
Darwin's theory of evolution?
A
B
C
D
Humans evolved from apes
A mother who had her appendix removed will give birth to
children without an appendix
An increasing number of TB-causing bacteria are resistant to
antibiotics because those that are resistant are able to survive
and reproduce
Giraffes have long necks because the previous generation
stretched their necks to reach the leaves in tall trees
1.1.4 As DNA was extracted from cells of E. coli it was analysed for its
nitrogenous base composition. It was found that 38% of the bases
are cytosine. What percentage of the bases are adenine?
A
B
C
D
12
24
38
62

NSC
1.1.5 Below is a list of fossils discovered in South Africa.
1. Mrs Ples
2. Taung child
3. Little foot
4. Karabo
Which of the fossils above are classified in the genus
Australopithecus?
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
1.1.6 A mother has blood group B and a father blood group O. They
have three children and an adopted child. The blood groups of the
children are represented in the table below.
CHILDREN BLOOD GROUPS
Sindy AB
Nobubele B
Kenny O
Gabriele B
A
B
C
D
Which child is adopted?
A
B
C
D
Sindy
Nobubele
Gabriele
Kenny

NSC
QUESTIONS 1.1.7 to 1.1.9 are based on the diagrammatic
representation below of a part of two different nucleic acid molecules
found in the cells of organisms during a stage in the process of protein
synthesis.
A
G
U
C
T
Molecule 1 Molecule 2
1.1.7 The diagram above illustrates the process of ...
A
B
C
D
replication.
transcription.
translation.
mutation.
1.1.8 The process illustrated above occurs in the …
A
B
C
D
cytoplasm.
centrosome.
ribosome.
nucleus.

NSC
1.1.9 An observable difference between molecule 1 and molecule 2 is
that …
A
B
C
D
molecule 1 is double stranded and molecule 2 is single
stranded.
molecule 1 contains deoxyribose sugars and molecule 2
contains ribose sugars.
molecule 1 has thymine and molecule 2 has uracil.
molecule 1 is longer than molecule 2.
1.1.10 The mRNA sequence from a portion of a DNA template GATCAA
is …
A
B
C
D
CTAGTT.
CUAGUU.
AGCTGG.
AGCUGG. (10 x 2) (20)
1.2 Give 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 your ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.4
1.2.5
1.2.6
1.2.7
1.2.8
1.2.9
An allele that is not shown/expressed in the phenotype when found
in the heterozygous condition
Chromosomes other than the sex chromosomes
The production of genetically identical organisms using
biotechnology
More than two haploid sets of chromosomes found in the cells of
an organism
The transfer of a selected gene from one organism to another
A variable that is manipulated during an investigation
All the genes of a particular species
The position of a gene on a chromosome
The complete disappearance of a species from Earth (9)

NSC
1.3 Indicate 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, both A and B, or none next to the
question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 The study of the past and
present distribution of
individual species as evidence
for evolution
A: Palaeontology
B: Biogeography
1.3.2 The evidence used to support
the 'Out of Africa' hypothesis
by tracing the maternal
lineage
A: Y chromosome
B: Mitochondrial DNA
1.3.3 Inheritance of the disorder
linked to a sex chromosome
A: Colour blindness
B: Sickle cell anaemia
1.3.4 First Homo species to have
migrated out of Africa
A: Homo habilis
B: Homo sapiens
1.3.5 Natural selection as an
explanation for evolution
A: Alfred Wallace
B: Charles Darwin
1.3.6 Organisms have an
inherent/internal drive to
change
A: Lamarck
B: Wallace
(6 x 2) (12)

NSC
1.4 The diagram below represents a cladogram (phylogenetic tree)
showing primate evolution. The letters, A to E, indicate the
characteristics which are shared by the different species of primates
which follow the letter. The point where various species of primates
differ from each other is indicated by the branching-off/split into new
species.
Chimpanzee Human
Cladogram showing primate evolution
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
1.4.4
1.4.5
Which LETTER represents a common characteristic of all
primates?
List THREE structural characteristics represented by the LETTER
named in QUESTION 1.4.1.
Which organism is most similar to the chimpanzee?
Name any TWO structural characteristics of the skull that make the
organism named in QUESTION 1.4.3 different from the
chimpanzee.
Write down the names of the organisms that display the
characteristic C but not characteristics D and E.
(1)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(9)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50
Capuchin
monkey
Vervet
monkey Rhesus
monkey
Gibbon
A
B
C D
E

NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Study the diagrams below which illustrate some phases of meiosis I.
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
Label parts A and B respectively.
The diagrams above are not placed in the correct sequence. Use
the diagram numbers to write down the correct sequence in which
part of the process of meiosis I takes place.
Give TWO observable reasons why the phases in the diagram are
part of meiosis I.
(2)
(2)
(2)
(6)
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
Diagram 1
A
B
PHASES OF MEIOSIS

NSC
2.2 The karyotype below is that of a male person with a genetic disorder called
Klinefelter syndrome.
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23
A karyotype of a male with Klinefelter syndrome
2.2.1
2.2.2
State ONE visible difference between the karyotype above and the
karyotype of a normal male.
Use your knowledge of meiosis to explain how Klinefelter
syndrome could have resulted.
(2)
(6)
(8)
2.3 A boy's mother had a patch of white hair called a 'white forelock' which is
caused by a dominant allele H. The mother is heterozygous for this trait. His
father does not have a 'white forelock'. The symbol for the recessive allele
is h.
Represent a genetic cross to determine the possible genotypes and
phenotypes of the children. (6)

NSC
2.4 Study the pedigree diagram below which shows the inheritance of
flower colour in a certain plant over three generations.
Use the following symbols for the contrasting alleles:
W – for white colour
R – for red colour
KEY:
2.4.1
2.4.2
A
Name the type of inheritance shown in the pedigree diagram
above.
Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.4.1.
(1)
(3)
2.4.3 Use the symbols R and W and write down the genotypes of each of
the following flowers:
(a)
(b)
(c)
A
B
C (3 x 2) (6)
(10)
[30]
B
C
Pedigree diagram showing inheritance of flower colour in a certain
type of plant over three generations
White flower colour
Red flower colour
Flower with equal distribution of white
and red colour

NSC
QUESTION 3
3.1 A young couple wants to have a child, but they are aware of a serious genetic
disorder in one of their families that could be carried through to their offspring.
In this case state:
3.1.1
ONE advantage of DNA testing
3.1.2
THREE benefits of genetic counselling
(1)
(3)
(4)
3.2 State TWO ways in which DNA profiling can be used to our advantage. (2)
3.3 Tabulate the structural differences between australopithecines, such as
Australopithecus sediba, and humans by referring to the size of the skeleton,
cranium and the chin. (7)
3.4 Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
All types of domestic dogs are capable of interbreeding to produce puppies,
which will eventually be capable of interbreeding with any other domestic dog.
The first dog evolved from a population of wolves. It is thought that wolves
that were tamer than usual 'adopted' humans in order to scavenge food from
refuse dumps near human settlements.
Although wolves look very similar to some breeds of domestic dogs, wolves
and domestic dogs cannot interbreed.
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3
Explain why all breeds of domestic dogs belong to the same
species.
Describe how a population of wolves may have undergone
speciation to form the first population of dogs.
Describe how artificial selection led to different breeds of domestic
dogs.
(2)
(6)
(2)
(10)

NSC
3.5 A group of learners from a school decided to do an investigation, using
scientific literature, on the evidence presented by fossils to support the theory
of evolution.
They formulated the following hypothesis:
'First appearance of fossils of single-cell/simple organisms are found in
the oldest layers of rock'
A summary of their research from the scientific literature is shown in the table
below.
ERA GEOLOGICAL
TIMESCALE
(MILLION YEARS
AGO)
MAJOR EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF LIFE
Cenozoic 65–present Appearance of Homo species
Flowering plants, insects, birds and mammals
became dominant
Mesozoic 240–65 Origin of flowering plants and mammals
Dinosaurs, insects, fishes became dominant
Origin of reptiles, early fishes, insects and
spore bearing plants which became dominant
Palaeozoic 570–240
Origin of simple marine invertebrates and
animals with hard parts
Cryptozoic 4 600–570 Origin of protists (unicellular organisms)
(Pre-Cambrian) Origin of photosynthetic bacteria
3.5.1
3.5.2
3.5.3
3.5.4
According to the results in the table above, will the learners accept
or reject their hypothesis?
Explain your answer to QUESTION 3.5.1.
Explain the implications to the evolution theory if fossils of
dinosaurs from the early Pre-Cambrian period were found.
Explain why the invertebrates might have appeared earlier than our
fossil record currently shows.
(1)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(7)
[30]
TOTAL SECTION B: 60

NSC
SECTION C
QUESTION 4
4.1 The table below shows the percentage distribution of blood groups in a
province in South Africa.
BLOOD GROUPS
A B AB O
35 15 10 40
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
How many genes control the blood groups shown above?
Explain how it is genetically possible to have four blood groups in a
population.
Draw a pie chart using the information in the table above. Show
ALL calculations.
(1)
(2)
(8)
(11)
4.2 Researchers observed that the height of a particular plant (Achillea
millefolium) found at different altitudes varied.
They carried out the following procedure:
• 30 seeds of these plants were collected at each of four different altitudes.
• Each group of 30 seeds were then grown under the same environmental
conditions in a greenhouse.
• The height of each plant was measured and the average for each group
was calculated.
• The average height of each group was recorded next to the altitude at
which the seeds were collected.
The following results were obtained:
ALTITUDE
(m)
AVERAGE HEIGHT OF PLANTS
(cm)
1 000 75
1 500 50
2 000 35
2 500 20
4.2.1
4.2.2
State a conclusion from the above investigation.
Describe TWO things that the researchers did which ensured the
validity of the procedure.
(3)
(2)

NSC
4.3 Describe how point mutations, frame-shift mutations and meiosis contribute to
genetic variation.
Copyright reserved
Synthesis:
(17)
(3)
(20)
NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow
charts or diagrams.
TOTAL SECTION C:
GRAND TOTAL:
40
150
4.2.3 In terms of natural selection, explain why the average height of the
plants at 2 500 m is different from the average height of the plants at
lower altitudes. (4)
(9)

Life sciences p1 feb march 2012 eng version 1

More Related Content

What's hot (12)

Similar to Life sciences p1 feb march 2012 eng version 1 (20)

More from Elizabeth Sweatman (11)

Life sciences p1 feb march 2012 eng version 1