LIFE SCIENCES

PAPER 2

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12

NOVEMBER 2021 (A)
TOTAL: 150

MARKING GUIDELINES

THIS DOCUMENT CONSISTS OF 12 PAGES.

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NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

NOVEMBER 2021 (A)
LIFE SCIENCES PAPER 2

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES 2021

1. If more information than marks allocated is given

Stop marking when maximum marks is reached and put a wavy line and ’max’ in the
right hand margin.

2. If, for example, three reasons are required and five are given
Mark the first three irrespective of whether all or some are correct/incorrect.

3. If whole process is given when only part of it is required

Read all and credit relevant part.

4. If comparisons are asked for and descriptions are given

Accept if differences/similarities are clear.

5. If tabulation is required but paragraphs are given

Candidates will lose marks for not tabulating.

6. If diagrams are given with annotations when descriptions are required

Candidates will lose marks.

7. If flow charts are given instead of descriptions

Candidates will lose marks.

8. If sequence is muddled and links do not make sense

Where sequence and links are correct, credit. Where sequence and links are
incorrect, do not credit. If sequence and links become correct again, resume credit.

9. Non-recognised abbreviations
Accept, if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognised
abbreviation but credit the rest of answer if correct.

10. Wrong numbering

If answer fits into the correct sequence of questions but the wrong number is given,
it is acceptable.

11. If language used changes the intended meaning

Do not accept.

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12. Spelling errors

If recognisable accept provided it does not mean something else in Life Sciences or
if it is out of context.

13. If common names given in terminology

Accept provided it was accepted at the National marking guideline discussion
meeting.

14. If only letter is asked for and only name is given (and vice versa)
No credit.

15. If units are not given in measurements

Candidates will lose marks. Marking guideline will allocate marks for units separately.

16. Be sensitive to the sense of an answer, which may be stated in a different way.

17. Caption
All illustrations (diagrams, drawings, graphs, tables, etc.) must have a caption.

18. Code-switching of official languages (terms and concepts)

A single word or two that appears in any official language other than the learners’
assessment language used to the greatest extent in his/her answers should be
credited, if it is correct. A marker that is proficient in the relevant official language
should be consulted. This is applicable to all official languages.

19. No changes must be made to the marking memoranda without consulting the
SACAI CHIEF MARKER and SACAI MODERATOR and where applicable, also
the UMALUSI MODERATOR.

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SECTION A
QUESTION 1

1.1.1 C√√
1.1.2 B√√
1.1.3 B√√
1.1.4 C√√
1.1.5 D√√
1.1.6 D√√
1.1.7 B√√
1.1.8 C√√
1.1.9 A√√ (9x2)[18]

1.2.1 Biogeography√
1.2.2 Foramen magnum√
1.2.3 Homozygous√
1.2.4 Dr Lee Berger√
1.2.5 Outbreeding√
1.2.6 Quadrupedalism√
1.2.7 Cradle of Humankind√
1.2.8 Co-dominance√
1.2.9 Double helix√
1.2.10 Genome [10]

1.3.1 B (only)√√
1.3.2 Both√√
1.3.3 Both√√
1.3.4 B (only)√√
1.3.5 None√√ (5x2)[10]

1.4.1 Geneticist√ (1)

1.4.2 Recessive√ (1)

1.4.3 • Both individuals A and B have straight thumbs√

• If this feature was recessive, it would have been impossible for them
to produce off-spring with the dominant feature√ (2)

1.4.4 a) Tt√ (1)

b) Straight thumb√ (1)
c) tt√ (1)
d) Hitchhiker’ thumb√ (1)

1.4.5 • A is a grandparent/grandfather of D√
OR
• D is a grandchild/grandson of A (1)

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1.4.6 Straight thumb : Hitchhiker’s thumb

65 : 25 √
13 : 5 √ (2)

1.4.7 Increase the sample group√ / test more students (1)

[12]
TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1.1 Foot B√ (1)

2.1.2 • The big toe is opposable√/not in line with other toes

• Low foot bridge√
• Smaller ankle bone√
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

2.1.3 • The big toe that is in line with other toes√ to supply big surface area√
• High foot bridge√ act as shock absorber√
• Big ankle bone√/tarsals that have fused allow support to whole body√
(Any correct 2x2) (Mark first TWO answers only) (4)

2.1.4 • Chimpanzees are arboreal√/ live in trees

• Opposable toes assist in grasping tree trunks√ (2)

2.1.5 • Colour vision√

• Eyes are situated in front of the face√ / binocular/stereoscopic vision (2)
[11]

2.2.1 Allopatric√ speciation (1)

2.2.2 • Variation in the offspring of C. pipiens√.

• Some of the C. pipiens mosquitoes went into the underground and were
trapped there√ / got separated from the surface population.
• There were no gene√ flow between the underground and surface
mosquitoes.
• The underground population was exposed to different habitat conditions
and different food sources√.
• Natural selection occurred independently√.
• The individuals of the underground populations became genotypically and
phenotypically different√.
• When the underground population mix with the surface mosquitoes, they
will not be able to reproduce√. (Any correct 6) (6)

2.2.3 • Mosquitoes have a very fast life cycle√ / reproduction rate

• Changes in genotype and phenotype of populations take places very
fast√ (2)

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2.2.4 • Antibiotics resistance in TB bacteria√

• Resistance of insects against DDT√/insecticides
• HIV resistance to antiretroviral medicines√
• Beak and body size of Galapagos finches√
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

2.2.5 • Habitat isolation√/breed in different spaces (open areas vs enclosed

areas)
• Temporal isolation√/breed different times of the year
• Species-specific courtship behaviour√/different courtship behaviour
• Prevention of fertilisation√/different copulatory organs
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)
[13]

2.3 1 a) Nitrogenous base√ / G or C (1)

b) Deoxyribose√ (1)
c) Phosphate group√ (1)

2.3.1 • Single strand√ with no hydrogen bonds

• Uracil instead of thymine√
• Ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose√
(Any TWO correct answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

2.3.2 1DNA replication√ (1)

[6]
TOTAL QUESTION 2: 30

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QUESTION 3

3.1.1 • When homologous chromosomes√

• fail to separate during Anaphase I√.
OR
• When sister chromatids√
• fail to separate during Anaphase II√. (2)

3.1.2 Karyotype√ (1)

3.1.3 Edward syndrome√ (1)

3.1.4 Male√ (1)

3.1.5 • Chromosomes of pair 23 is not the same size√

• therefore, a X- and Y-chromosome present√. (2)

3.1.6 a) Triple X-syndrome√ (1)

b) Turner syndrome√ (1)
c) Klinefelter syndrome√ (1)
[10]

3.2.1 Transgenic√ organisms (1)

3.2.2 • Easier to obtain large quantities√

• Reduce the cost of the end product√
• Not extracted from living animals√
• Cheese is acceptable to vegetarians√ (4)

3.2.3 • Only the product√ of the GMO is used in the manufacturing of cheese
• The GMO/modified yeast cell is not consumed√ (2)

3.2.4 • Increase in draught resistance√

• Increase in yield√/ nutritional value/ growth rate
• Resistance against insects√/ diseases
(Any correct TWO answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

3.2.5 • Plasmid is used as a vector√ / carrier

• to transfer desirable gene√ / chymosin gene into the yeast cell. (2)
[11]

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3.3.1 A change√ in the structure of DNA√/chromosomes/genetic material of an

organism. (2)

3.3.2 • Osteoporosis√
• Osteomalacia√
• Osteoarthritis√
(Any correct answer) (Mark first answer only) (1)

3.3.3 Autosomal√ (1)

3.3.4 The mutated gene is located on chromosome 7√ / body chromosome /

autosome. (1)

3.3.5 To prove that the mutation was causing the high bone density√ / to proof that
the high bone density was not caused by other factors . (1)

3.3.6 • Radiation√ / examples of radiation

• Chemicals√
(Any correct answer) (Mark first answer only) (1)

3.3.7 • Allow the species to evolve√ / adapt / survive

• in response to a changing environment√. (2)
[9]

TOTAL QUESTION 3: 30

TOTAL SECTION B: 60

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SECTION C

QUESTION 4

4.1.1 Heading: Cranial capacity of modern humans and some of its ancestors√.

Name of species√ Cranial capacity (cm3) √

Singe anthropoïde 400
Australopithecus africanus 480 - 490
Homo habilis 570 - 580
Homo erectus 880 – 890
Homo neanderthalensis 1440 – 1450
Homo sapiens 1480

All border lines of table drawn.√

Information in rows:
• 5– 6 rows correct√√
• 3-4 rows correct √√
• 1-2 rows correct√ (6)

4.1.2 • Earliest hominids only ate fruit√/plant material/ herbivorous.

• Over time more animal material/meat was included in the diet√/
omnivorous. (2)

4.1.3 • As humans could control fire to cook meat√

• the meat became more digestible√/ nutrients more available.
• This causes the brain volume to increase√.
OR
• As the volume of the brain increased√
• humans could control fire and therefore could cook meat√.
• Meat became more digestible√/nutrients more available. (3)

4.1.4 Homo erectus√ (1)

4.1.5 • Increased social behaviour√/ extended daylight hours for conversation and
teaching
• Protection from predators at night√
• Migration to colder regions√
(Any TWO correct answers) (Mark first TWO answers only) (2)

4.1.6 • Prominent eyebrow ridges√

• Chin is prognathous√ / sloping face
(Any correct answer) (Mark first answer only) (1)

4.1.7 3,9√ mya√ (2)

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4.1.8 • Habilis means ‘handy man’√

• First species to make use of tools√ (2)

4.1.9 A • Burnt animal bones√

A• Animal bones with cutting marks√
• Stone tools to cut meat√
(Any correct answer) (Mark first answer only) (1)(1)
[20]

TOTAL QUESTION 4: 20

QUESTION 5

Transcription√
• Double stranded DNA unwinds √
• and unzips√ when
• the hydrogen bonds break√.
• This is controlled by enzymes√.
• One strand is used as a template√
• to form mRNA√
• using free RNA nucleotides√ from the nucleoplasm√.
• The mRNA is complementary to the DNA√.
• mRNA now has the coded message√/genetic code for protein synthesis.

Translation√
• mRNA moves from the nucleus to the ribosome√.
• Each tRNA√ carries an amino acid√
• to the ribosome√.
• When the anticodon√ on the tRNA
• matches the codon√ on the mRNA
• amino acids become attached√ in the sequence determined by the mRNA
• by peptide bonds√
• to form the required protein√.
(Any 14)

Different genes code for different proteins

• Different genes have different nitrogen base sequences√.
• After transcription different base sequence on codons√/ different codons are produced.
• Different tRNA√/ tRNA with different anti-codons
• will carry different amino acids to ribosomes√/ different sequence of amino acids that
link on ribosomes and form different proteins.
• Enzymes√ that control metabolic processes√ in cells are proteins
• Proteins make up most of protoplasm√ and therefore determine structure of cell.
(Any 3)
Facts: 17
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Synthesis mark allocation:

Relevance Logical sequence Comprehension
(R) (L) (C)
Elaboration All information Ideas are arranged Protein synthesis and
is relevant to in a logical how genes cause
the question sequence. different structures and
provided. functions of cells are
addressed.
Essay Only information Protein synthesis and Protein synthesis: 11/14
relevant to protein how different genes code Different genes: 2/3
synthesis and for different proteins
different genes must be in a logical and
producing different correct sequence.
characteristics.
Mark 1 1 1
allocation
(17 facts + 3 synthesis) [20]

TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 150

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