NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 10
LIFE SCIENCES
CONTROLLED TEST 3
12 SEPTEMBER 2023

MARKS: 50 TIME: 1 hour

This question paper consists of 8 pages.

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions

1. Answer ALL the questions,
2. Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.
3. Start the answer 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 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.
11. Write neatly and legibly
 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

SECTION A
QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are given 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 1.1.3) in the
ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.4D.

1.1.1 The diagram below shows a longitudinal section through a human heart.

Which row of the following table has the correct names for the structures
labelled in the diagram?

X Y Z
A tricuspid valve semilunar valve septum
B semilunar valve bicuspid valve septum
C semilunar valve semilunar valve bicuspid valve
D tricuspid valve bicuspid valve septum

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GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

1.1.2 Several fossils were uncovered in different layers of rock in a desert area.
The following diagram indicates the age of the layers of rock and the fossils
found in each.

Fish skeleton

Mollusc shell

Fern frond

Leaf from hardwood tree

Based on the fossils found, the organism that occurred first in this environment
is the…

A. fern plant
B. fish
C. hardwood tree
D. Mollusc

1.1.3 Long geological periods of drastic decrease in the temperature of the earth
surface and atmosphere.

A. Cambrian Explosion
B. Ice age
C. Glacier
D. Continental drift (3X2) (6)

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 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

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 1.2.3) in your ANSWER BOOK.

1.2.1 The process by which all members of a particular species die out so that not
even a single one exists
1.2.2 The contraction of any part of the cardiac muscle
1.2.3 The study of past and present distribution of biological organisms in the world
(3X1) (3)

1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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 1.3.3) in your answer book .

COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 The part where the semilunar A. Aorta
valve is located. B. Pulmonary artery
1.3.2 The organism regarded as the A. Loxodonta africana
transitional form and regarded B. Archaeopteryx
as the missing link between
reptiles and birds.
1.3.3 Abiotic factor(s) A. Temperature
B. Light
(3X2) (6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 15

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 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

SECTION B

QUESTION 2
2.1
Read the extract and study the diagram below.
The steepness of a slope affects plants growth through differential
incidents of radiation, wind velocity and soil type. A steep slope is
susceptible to rapid surface runoff and soil which causes soil degradation.
Likewise, the influence of this abiotic factor on plant growth and distribution
is noticeable.

2.1.1 Name ONE physiographic factor mentioned in the extract. (1)

2.1.2 Give ONE disadvantage of planting on a steep slope mentioned in the

extract. (1)

2.1.3 State the conclusion that can be made about the growth of plants by
referring to the diagram. (2)

2.1.4 Name TWO abiotic factors from the extract that are related to weather
conditions in this area.. (2)

(6)

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 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

2.2 Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:

2.2.1 What does the diagram represent? (1)

2.2.2 Identify a carnivore from the diagram. (1)

2.2.3 The lions and hyenas would still survive even if all the impalas in this game
reserve were to die out.

Describe how they would still survive. (2)

(4)

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 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

2.3 A soil scientist wanted to investigate the ability of different soil on holding water capacity.

During the investigation the scientist use the following procedure:

• 5 portions of land were selected with different vegetation
• In each portion, an amount of 5kg of soil sample was collected and placed in a room
with the same temperature.
• Same amount of water was used to irrigate each sample.
• The results were collected and recorded at the end of each day.
• This was done for 5 days

The graph below shows the results of an investigation carried out to determine the water
holding capacity of different soil samples.

30
25
Water holding Capacity

25
(g H2O/g soil)

20
15
15 13
10
10
5
5

0
Silt Loam Sand Loam Fine Sand Clay Coarse
Sand
Soil Samples

2.3.1 Identify:

(a) Dependent variable (1)

(b) Independent variable (1)

2.3.2 Which soil has the lowest water-retaining ability? (1)

2.3.3 State ONE way in which the reliability of the investigation can be increased. (1)

2.3.4 Explain the consequences to plant roots if the soil became waterlogged. (2)
(6)

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 GR 10LFSC/ CONTROLLED TEST EC/TERM 3/2023

QUESTION 3

3.1 The heartbeat of an athlete was recorded before, during and after a race for 100 minutes.
The results are shown in the table below:

Time (minutes) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Heartbeat 60 60 61 62 84 105 108 100 88 70 64

(beats/per
minute)

3.1.1 After how long did the athlete start the race? (1)
3.1.2 Calculate the percentage decrease in the heart rate between 90 th minute (3)
and 100 minute.
3.1.3 Draw a line graph to show the number of heartbeats over the 100-minute
period (6)
(10)
3.2 Read the information below and answer the questions.

Therapsid fossils from the late Permian have been found in South Africa.
These animals had teeth differentiated into incisors, canines and molars,
unlike reptilian teeth, which are all the same. Their legs were held more
vertically, i.e. under the body, compared to what is usual in reptiles. It
seems that they survived into the Mesozoic, but died out when the
dinosaurs became to dominant life form.

3.2.1 What are fossils? (1)

3.2.2 Name the two main methods used to determine the age of fossils (2)
3.2.3 When in South Africa have therapsid fossils been found? (1)
3.2.4 Tabulate TWO ways in which therapsids are different from reptiles. (5)

TOTAL SECTION B: 35
GRAND TOTAL: 50