education.gov.za NSC Examination Life Sciences Question Paper : Department of Basic

Organisation : Department of Basic Education
Exam : National Senior Certificate Examinations
Document Type : NSC Sample Question Paper
Subject : Life Sciences
Category : Grade 12
Year : 2017
Website : https://www.education.gov.za/2017FebMarchNSCExamPapers.aspx
Download Sample Question Paper :
Paper 1 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10927-SciencesP1.pdf
Paper 2 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10927-SciencesP2.pdf
Memo 1 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10927-MemoP1.pdf
Memo 2 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10927-MemoP2.pdf

Education NSC Examination Life Sciences Question Paper

Marks : 150
Time : 2½ hours
** This question paper consists of 16 pages.

Related :Department of Basic NSC Examination Electrical Technology Question Paper 2017 : www.southafricain.com/10896.html

Instructions & 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.

Sample Question

Section A

QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Write down the question number (1.1.1–1.1.8), choose the answer and make a cross (X) over the letter (A–D) of your choice in the ANSWER BOOK.
1.1.1
The process where one DNA molecule produces two identical DNA molecules is called …
A reproduction.
B replication.
C translation.
D protein synthesis.

1.1.2 A difference between DNA and RNA:
A RNA is double-stranded and DNA is single-stranded.
B DNA has a sugar-phosphate frame, whereas RNA does not.
C There are weak hydrogen bonds in DNA, but not in RNA.
D RNA has a helix structure and DNA is straight.

1.1.3 A pedigree diagram shows …
A how organisms evolve.
B the inheritance of characteristics over many generations
C sex-linked characteristics only.
D the number of children in a family only.

1.1.4 A red flowering plant is crossed with a white flowering plant. All the offspring have pink flowers. When the two pink flowering plants are crossed, the next generation of flowering plants will have flowers that are …
A pink only.
B red only.
C white only.
D pink, red and white.

1.1.5 The diagram below represents the chemical structure of a protein
A hydrogen bond.
B nitrogen base.
C peptide bond.
D mRNA molecule.

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 1.2.7) in the ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 A sudden change in the sequence/order of nitrogenous bases of a nucleic acid
1.2.2 Explanation of an observation that is supported by facts, models and laws
1.2.3 The breeding of organisms over many generations in order to achieve a desirable phenotype
1.2.4 The type of sugar found in an RNA molecule
1.2.5 Type of evolution involving long periods of time when species do not change and short periods of rapid change
1.2.6 The hypothesis which supports migration of human ancestors from the point of origin
1.2.7 The mineralised remains of organisms that have lived in the past (7 x 1) (7)

Section B

QUESTION 2 :
2.1 Read the passage below.
NEW HOMININ SPECIES DISCOVERED
On 13 September 2013 scientists discovered fossils in the Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa which appeared to belong to a previously unknown species of hominins.
The fossils were classified as a new species, Homo naledi. The physical characteristics of H. naledi are described as having traits similar to the genus Australopithecus, mixed with traits more characteristic of the genus Homo. It appeared that H. naledi represented a transitional fossil.

2.1.1 Define the term transitional fossil. (2)
2.1.2 Name a characteristic from the passage that Homo naledi shared with both Australopithecus and Homo. (1)
2.1.3 State ONE other characteristic from the passage that Homo naledi shared only with Australopithecus. (1)
2.1.4 Explain TWO characteristics of a skeleton which are adaptations for bipedalism. (4)
2.1.5 Give ONE possible reason why there was a change to smaller teeth in modern humans. (3)(11)

2.3
The diagram below represents nitrogen-base sequences of a part of a nucleic acid that codes for making insulin. Insulin is necessary for the uptake of sugar from the blood.
The sequences below are from two individuals and are read from left to right. Sequence 1 is from a normal person and sequence 2 is from a person who shows a mutation and cannot produce insulin.
2.3.1 Which nucleic acid is represented in both sequences? (1)
2.3.2 Where did the mutation in the second sequence occur? (1)

QUESTION 3 :
3.1 Tom and Maria have three children. One of the three children was adopted. A DNA profile for each member of the family was prepared to determine if Tom is the father of all three children (Anne, Mary and Steve).
3.1.1 Which ONE of the children has been adopted? (2)
3.1.2 Explain your answer to QUESTION 3.1.1. (2)

section C

QUESTION 4 :
The anole lizard of the Caribbean Islands represents a group of about 150 closely related species, which evolved within the past 50 million years from a single species.
Use this example to describe how natural selection led to the process of speciation that gave rise to the 150 different species of lizards.

NOTE: NO marks will be awarded for answers in the form of a table, flow charts or diagrams.
TOTAL SECTION C – 20
GRAND TOTAL – 150