LIFE SCIENCES

PAPER 1

TIME: 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES

MARKS: 150 SEPTEMBER 2008

education
Western Cape Education

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR LEARNER ATTAINMENT

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

SEPTEMBER EXAMINATION - 2008

This question paper consists of 15 pages

Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Carefully read the following instructions before answering the questions.

1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL your answers in the answering book.
3. Start each question on a new page.
4. Number the answers according to the numeration system used in this question paper.
5. You will be penalised if you fail to adhere to the instructions on each question.
6. ALL drawings should be done in pencil and labels in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams and flow charts ONLY when requested to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper may NOT necessarily be drawn to scale.
9. Graph paper may NOT be used.
10. Non-programmable calculators, protractors and compasses may be used.
11. Write neatly and legibly.

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 Various possible options are provided as answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A – D) next to the questions
number (1.1.1 – 1.1.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.6 D.

1.1.1. The delivery of a baby through the abdomen by means of a surgical operation.

A. GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer)

B. Natural birth
C. Caesarean section
D. Epidural anaesthetic

1.1.2. The 28-day reproductive cycle that human female undergo.

A. Ovarian
B. Gestation
C. Menstrual
D. Pregnancy

1.1.3. Which of the following is TRUE about Anaphase I of meiosis?

A. Chromosomes arranged at equator

B. Centromere splits
C. Chromosomes are pulled to the poles
D. Chromatids separate and move to the poles

1.1.4. The number of chromosomes in a fertilised human egg cell is …

A. the same as in a sperm.

B. twice the number as in a sperm.
C. twice the number as in a skin cell.
D. half as many as in a zygote.

1.1.5. The coiled tubular structure outside the testis that stores sperms.

A. Epididymus
B. Vas deferens
C. Scrotum
D. Urethra

1.1.6. A term that describes the formation of male gametes by meiosis.

A. Spermatogenesis
B. Gametogenesis
C. Oogenesis
D. Cytokinesis

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

1.1.7. The flow chart below represents the human life cycle.

zygote

multicellular diploid organism

gamete

gamete

Which of the following combinations of terms correctly matches the numbered boxes?

1 2 3
A. mitosis fertilisation meiosis
B. meiosis mitosis fertilisation
C. fertilisation meiosis mitosis
D. mitosis meiosis fertilisation

(7 x 2) (14)

1.2. 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
relevant question number.

COLUMN I COLUMN II

1.2.1. Found as a constituent of DNA A. Ribose

B. Uracil
1.2.2. Ribosomes present A. Plant cell
B. Animal cell
1.2.3. Contains RNA A. Ribosomes
B. Nucleolus
1.2.4. Carries genetic material A. Chromosome
B. Ribosomes
1.2.5. Nitrogenous base found in DNA A. Uracil
B. Adenine

(5 x 2) (10)

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

1.3 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write down only the
correct term next to the relevant question number.

1.3.1 The study of heredity and the variations that occur in the transmission of
hereditary characteristics.
1.3.2 A term that describes a cell which has only a single set of chromosomes.
1.3.3 The external physical appearance of an organism.
1.3.4 The process by which the embryo becomes attached to the uterine wall.
1.3.5 The liquid that surround the human embryo.
(5)

1.4 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

A pair of homologous chromosomes

1.4.1. Identify the process represented. (1)

1.4.2. Give a label for position A? (1)
1.4.3. During which phase of meiosis does this process occur? (1)
1.4.4. What is the importance of this process to living organisms? (2)
(5)

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

1.5. Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

Structure of the female reproductive system

Give the LETTER and NAME of the part where:

1.5.1. eggs are produced (2)

1.5.2. fertilisation takes place (2)
1.5.3. sperms are deposited (2)
1.5.4. meiosis takes place (2)
1.5.5. the embryo is implanted (2)
(10)

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

1.6 The table below illustrates the nitrogenous base sequence of a DNA strand which codes for part of
a protein molecule. Study the table and answer the questions that follow:

Base sequence on DNA coding strand GGG CTA AAG

1.6.1 Write the complimentary bases from left to right that would be formed in the
messenger RNA (mRNA) using the DNA strand shown in the table as a template. (3)

1.6.2 The diagram below shows different transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules carrying an
amino acid and an anticodon that matches with the codon of the mRNA. Select and write
down from the diagram the corresponding amino acids (in the correct sequence) that reads
the codon on the mRNA in QUESTION 1.6.1 (3)

Anticodons of five different tRNA molecules each carrying a particular amino acid

(6)

TOTAL SECTION A: [50]

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 Study the graphs below and answer the questions that follow.

Graphs showing the concentration of progesterone and oestrogen in the blood of an

adult female as well as the thickness of the endometrium

Hormones
levels

2.1.1. From the graph write down the causes of menstruation. (2)

2.1.2. Another hormone, not mentioned in the graph, causes a sudden rise
in the blood oestrogen level at point A round about the 6th day.
Give the name this hormone. (1)

2.1.3. What causes this hormone mentioned in QUESTION 2.1.2 to become active,
causing a rise in the level of blood oestrogen ? (2)

2.1.4. Which changes take place in the ovaries and endometrium at Day 14 in the graph? (2)

2.1.5. Explain why the level of blood progesterone rises after point B, in the graph. (2)
(9)

2.2 A mother has three children of whom all are boys. What are the chances
that her fourth child would be a girl ? Explain your answer. (3)

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2.3 Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

“South African food is not safe”

The majority of South Africans are unaware that 30% of the country’s yellow maize and soy
bean crops are genetically modified (GM). This is just one of the concerns raised by
international author Jeffrey Smith, who is in the country to deliver a series of talks on
genetically modified foods. He is also author of the book, Seeds of Deception: Exposing
Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Food you’re
Eating. Smith said that genetic engineering involved taking a gene from one species and
inserting it into another. “South Africa is the only country allowing genetically modified food
as its staples and as a result, is putting a large portion of the population at risk,” said Smith.

He said that genetically modified maize grown in South Africa is likely to have been inserted
with a gene that would make it produce Bt-toxin, which is a pesticide. According to Smith the
GM Bt–toxin in maize was hundreds and even thousands of times more concentrated than the
spray form.” Farm workers exposed to even the low dose Bt spray showed evidence of allergic
reactions” he said.

“We need the leadership of this country, the faith –based leadership, the labour leaders and
those who protect the lives of those with HIV/AIDS to put a stop to these genetically modified
foods. Leaders have to go to the government and manufacturers, and tell them that we (the
public) are going to get our congregations and organisations to stop eating GM food,” he said.
Smith indicated that only when the word was out and everyone knew what was genetically
modified and what was not, would a revolution begin within the industry.

[ Adapted from: Irene Kuppan, “Daily News” 30 September 2005]

2.3.1 Explain what GM foods are. (2)

2.3.2 What, according to Jeffrey Smith, is Bt-toxin that is produced by genetically

modified maize in South Africa? (1)

2.3.3 Do you think Jeffrey Smith is biased (only favours one side) in his opinion on
GM foods? (1)

2.3.4 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 2.3.3 (2)

2.3.5 Explain why Jeffrey Smith is appealing to the leadership of different religious
groups to put an end to the use of GM foods. (2)
(8)

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2.4 According to statistics about 1 in 750 babies are born with Down’s syndrome.
Down’s syndrome is a chromosome abnormality where the individual has an
incorrect number of chromosomes.

A scientist wanted to investigate the relationship between the age of women

and the incidence of babies born with Down’s syndrome. She obtained
information from four South African hospitals in an urban area.

2.4.1 Write a hypothesis for the scientist’s investigation. (2)

2.4.2 Identify the following. The …

(a) dependant variable. (1)

(b) independent variable. (1)

2.4.3 The scientist’s results are shown in the table below. Study the table and answer the
questions based on it.

Age of mother(years) Number of babies with Down’s

Syndrome (per 1000 births)
20 0,7
25 0,9
30 1,1
35 2,0
40 10
45 28

(a) Suggest a suitable caption (heading) for the table above. (1)

(b) What is the relationship between the age of the mother and the incidence
of Down’s syndrome? (2)

(c) A 42-year old woman wants to have a baby. What advice would
you give her? (2)

(d) State ONE way how you would improve this investigation in order to
obtain more accurate results? (1)
(10)

Total Question Two: [30]

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

QUESTION 3

3.1. In mice, yellow fur colour (G) is dominant over grey fur colour (g). It also happens
that all embryos which are homozygous for the dominant factor die before birth.

3.1.1. A colony of heterozygous mice was inbred to produce 300 young live mice.
Use a genetic crossing (diagram) to determine the ratio of the genotypes and phenotypes
of the first generation. Show all steps (10)

3.1.2. Calculate the number of mice that would:

a). be likely to have yellow fur (2)
b). have grey fur. (2)
(14)

3.2 Describe the following of Mendel. His …

3.2.1 principle of dominance (3)

3.2.2 law of segregation (3)
(6)

3.3. Study the diagrams below and answer the questions that follow.

Diagram I Diagram II

Phases of meiosis

3.3.1. Name the phases of meiosis represented by diagrams I and II. (2)

3.3.2. Name the phase of meiosis that follows after the phase represented by diagram II (1)

3.3.3. State ONE difference between the events that occur in the phase mentioned
in QUESTION 3.3.2 and anaphase I during meiosis. (3)
(6)

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

3.4. Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

Part of a nucleic acid

3.4.1. Identify the type of nucleic acid shown in the diagram above. (1)
3.4.2. Give ONE reason from the diagram for your answer in QUESTION 3.4.1. (1)
3.4.3. Why are there no hydrogen bonds? (1)
3.4.4. Name the type of sugar represented by the letter S. (1)
(4)
Total Question Three: [30]
TOTAL SECTION B: 60

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SECTION C

QUESTION 4

4.1 The following table shows how effective Post Exposure Prophylactic (PEP) drugs are if
taken after different periods of exposure to the HI virus. Study the table below and
answer the questions that follow.

Period of Exposure (hours) 0 24 72 76 96

Effectiveness (%) 100 100 52 0 0

4.1.1. Use the information in the table to draw a line graph. (11)

4.1.2. How effective would the PEP drugs be if taken after exposure to HIV for
48 hours? (2)

4.1.3. A school boy touched the blood of an injured rugby player with his bare hands on
a Friday afternoon. On the advice of his parents he decided to see his doctor,
but he only did so on the following Tuesday. Do you think that the doctor
would have given him PEP drugs?
Give a reason for your answer. (3)
(16)

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4.2 Study the pie chart below and answer the questions that follow.

Results of an investigation showing the

percentage of pregnancies per
contraceptive method
None
2%
9% 0% Rhythm

12%
Diaphragm with
spermicide
Condom
57%
20%
Intra -uterine
device
The Pill

4.2.1 Use the pie chart and indicate which contraceptive method is the …

(a) most reliable, and (1)

(b) least reliable to prevent pregnancies. (1)

4.2.2 Use the information in the pie chart and draw a table to illustrate the results. (7)
(9)

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Life Sciences/P 1 National Strategy for Learner Attainment September Examination 2008

4.3 Read the following article on artificial insemination and sperm banks and answer the questions
that follow.

Artificial insemination and sperm banks

Artificial insemination is often used in animals to multiply the possible offspring of an

animal and for the breeding of endangered species. In humans artificial insemination is
used as assisted reproductive technology primarily to treat infertility but is increasingly
used to enable single woman to become pregnant and to produce children by using
sperm provided by a sperm donor.

If sperm is provided by a sperm donor through a sperm bank, it will be frozen for a
particular period and the donor will be tested before and after production of the sample
to ensure that he does not carry a transmissible disease.

Sperm samples donated in this way are produced through masturbation by the sperm
donor at the sperm bank. Sperm provided by the woman’s husband or sperm provided
by a known or anonymous donor can be used.

The following ethical issues are debated amongst learners:

• Buying spermatozoa from a sperm bank

• The type of claim that a donor has on the child that was conceived from his
spermatozoa
• The right to claim financial assistance from the donor or sperm bank.
• Is the storing of spermatozoa in sperm banks interfering with nature?

[Adapted from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial _insemination]

Write an essay to explain your understanding of artificial insemination and sperm banks and
describe your opinion with reasons on the four issues listed in the text.

NOTE: No marks will be awarded for answers in the form of flow charts or
drawings/diagrams.

Content (12)
Synthesis (3)

(15)

TOTAL SECTION C: [40]

GRAND TOTAL: [150]

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