NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT

GRADE 12

LIFE SCIENCES MARCH TEST 2024

MARKING GUIDELINE

MARKS: 150

This marking guideline consists of 10 pages

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 Life Sciences 2 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES

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 is
incorrect, do not credit. If sequence and links becomes 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.

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 memo discussion meeting.

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

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 Life Sciences 3 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

15. If units are not given in measurements

Candidates will lose marks. Memorandum 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, 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 District internal moderator(and the external moderators where
necessary)

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 Life Sciences 4 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 1.1.1 B

1.1.2 D
1.1.3 B
1.1.4 B
1.1.5 C
1.1.6 A
1.1.7 C
1.1.8 B
1.1.9 B (9 x 2) (18)

1.2 1.2.1 Cytokinesis

1.2.2 Diploid
1.2.3 Centromere
1.2.4 Ribose sugar
1.2.5 Gestation
1.2.6 Translation
1.2.7 Crossing over
1.2.8 Oogenesis
1.2.9 Ovovivipary (9 x 1) (9)

1.3 1.3.1 B only

1.3.2 A only
1.3.3 A only
1.3.4 None
1.3.5 Both A and B (5 x 2) (10)

1.4 1.4.1 B - RNA  (1)

1.4.2 Molecule B has Uracil (1)

1.4.3 U
C
U (All bases should be in correct sequence)
C
A (1)

1.4.4 Nucleus (1)

1.4.5 (a) 5 (1)

(b) 10 (1)

(6)

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Grade 12 Marking guidelines

1.5.1 (a) mRNA (1)

(b) Transcription (1)

(c) UCA (2)

1.5.2 Ribosome (1)

1.5.3 Uracil (1)

1.5.4 Anticodon (1)

(7)
TOTAL QUESTION 1 50
TOTAL SECTION A 50

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 Life Sciences 6 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 2.1.1 DNA profiling  (not DNA fingerprinting) (1)

2.1.2 Cub number 2 (1)

2.1.3 The DNA bands of the profile of Cub number 2 do not match
any DNA bands of the profile of the father nor the mother (2)

2.1.4 To identify dead bodies

To identify family members, missing persons
To identify criminals
To match tissues for organ transplants
Mark the first THREE only (3)

2.1.5 Suspect may be framed.

Suspect may be an identical twin.
A short segment of DNA is used.  (2)
Mark the first TWO only (9)

2.2 2.2.1 (a) A – Homologous chromosomes (1)

(b) B - Centriole (1)
(b) C – Spindle fire / Spindle thread (1)

2.2.2 Metaphase 1 (1)

2.2.3 Chromosomes are randomly arranged at the equator in pairs

OR
Homologous chromosomes are randomly arranged in the middle
of the cell (2)

2.2.4 - The process is crossing over*

- homologous chromosomes lie next to each other
- Non-sister chromatids overlap
- at a point called the chiasma
- genetic material is exchanged
1* compulsory mark + Any 3 (4)

2.2.5 (a) Prophase 1 (1)

(b) In meiosis, crossing over takes place

In mitosis, crossing over does not occur (2)

2.2.6 - To produce (haploid) gametes

- Introduces genetic variation
- Reduction/halving of chromosomes number/Keep
chromosome number constant from generation to
generation/prevents doubling of chromosome number at
fertilisation. (3)
Mark the first THREE only

2.2.7 Produces/makes/manufactures spindle fibres/threads (1)

(17)

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 Life Sciences 7 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

2.3 T*
DNA Replication Transcription
The entire DNA molecule unwinds Only a portion of the DNA molecule
unwinds
Both strands of the DNA molecule One strand of the DNA molecule act
act as templates as a template
Results in the formation of two Results in the formation of mRNA
identical DNA molecules
Mark the first THREE only 1* compulsory mark for the table + (7)
6

2.4 2.4.1 (a) Seminal vesicle

Produces/secretes a nutrient-rich fluid (2)

(b) Prostate gland

Produces/secretes an alkaline fluid (2)

(c) Epididymis
Temporarily stores sperm cells (2)

2.4.2 - Spermatogenesis*
- Under the influence of testosterone
- diploid cells/germinal epithelium
- in the seminiferous tubules of the testis undergo meiosis
- to form (haploid) sperm
*1 compulsory + Any 3 (4)

2.4.3 - Tight underwear will pull the testes close to the body
- The temperature of the testes will be too high/higher pressure
on the testes
-and sperm will not mature/ will be abnormal/sperm count will be
low (3)

2.4.4 (a) Sperm cell will not be transported from the epididymis to the
urethra. Therefore no fertilisation can take place (2)

(b) Yes. Semen without sperm cells will still be produced (2)
(17)

TOTAL QUESTION 2 50

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 Life Sciences 8 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

QUESTION 3

3.1 3.1.1 (a) Internal (1)

(c) Vivipary (1)

3.1.2 -After mating, the fertilised egg undergoes gestation in the uterus
-The young are born alive (2)

3.1.3 Altricial (1)

3.1.4 -Protected as it develops in the mother’s pouch

-Nourished with mother’s milk (2)

(8)

3.2 3.2.1 Karyotype/Karyogram (1)

3.2.2 - Individual A is female because

- Chromosome pair 23 has
- XX/ two X chromosomes/chromosomes of the same size (3)

3.2.3 - Because there is double set of chromosomes

- There are 46 chromosomes
- There are 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes
- It is diploid Any (1)

3.2.4 Gonosome/Sex chromosome (1)

3.2.5 Down’s syndrome/Trisomy 21 (1)

3.2.6 - Homologous chromosome pair 21

- Does not separate/non-disjunction takes place
- during anaphase 1/2
- This will lead to one gamete having two copies
- of chromosome 21
- When this gamete fuses with a normal gamete
- The resulting zygote will have an extra copy
- of chromosome 21/ 3copies of chromosome 21 (5)
(12)

3.3 3.3.1 On the 14th day (1)

3.3.2 No (1)

3.3.3 - Progesterone levels decrease after day 21

- The corpus luteum degenerates/shrinks/decreases in size (2)

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Grade 12 Marking guidelines

3.3.4 Structure of an ovum

Marking criteria
Criteria Marks
Correct caption 1
Correct diagram (ovum) 1 (4)
Any 2 labels 2

3.3.5 a) Oestrogen
Progesterone (2)

b) - No follicle will develop

- No oestrogen will be secreted
- The endometrium will not thicken
- The endometrium is not shed (4)
(14)

3.4 3.4.1 The older the men, the lower their sperm count
OR
The younger the men, the higher their sperm count (2)

3.4.2 (a) Sperm count (1)

(b) Age (1)

3.4.3 - Ask for permission from the participants

- Decide on recording tool
- Decide on a place for the investigation
- Decide on time/duration of the investigation
- Decide on sample size
(Mark the first TWO only) (2)

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 Life Sciences 10 March 2024
Grade 12 Marking guidelines

3.4.4 - They used 100 men for each age group

- They conducted the experiment every Monday and Friday for 8
weeks
- An average was calculated for each group
(Mark the first TWO only) (2)

3.4.5 - Gave the participants the same diet

- Kept them in the same environment
- Made them wear the same loose fitting clothes
- Used men of the same health status (all healthy men)
(Mark the first TWO only) (2)

3.5.6

RUBRIC:

(6)
TOTAL QUESTION 3 50
TOTAL SECTION B 100
GRAND TOTAL 150

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