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PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
SEPTMBER 2020

LIFE SCIENCES: PAPER I

STUDENT NAME: _______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER BOOKLET

There are TWELVE (xii) pages in this Answer booklet. Please write your name in the spaces
above.
QUESTION 1
1.1 Select the term in the right column which best matches the description in the middle column.
Write the letter of the term in the corresponding space provided in the left column. Use each
letter only once.

Description Term
[ ] Chromosomes cross over at these points A. ecological niche
[ ] The use of living organisms to control the spread of problem B. population ecology
species
[ ] Branched diagram showing evolutionary relationships among C.Biogeography
organisms
[ ] Development of new species after a population is split by a D. Species
geographical barrier.
[ ] A study of the fluctuations in population size and the factors E. Social organization
that regulate them
[ ] An enzyme that cuts or breaks sections of DNA F. Palaeontology

[ ] A study of the distribution of individual specie in different parts G. Artificial Selection

of the world
[ ] Improves the reproductive success and survival of an H. Biological control
individual
[ ] Genetic material formed by combing genes from two or more I. Phylogenetic
sources
[ ] The role and position a species has in its environment J. Restriction

K. recombinant
L. Allopatric
M. chiasma
(10)
1.2 Various possible answers are provided for each question. Write only the letter of the
correct answer in the space provided below
1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 1.1.5 1.1.6 1.1.7 1.1.8 1.1.9 1.1.10

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1.2.1. Which of the following is a part of all nucleotides?

A. Deoxyribose
B. a sugar
C. Uracil
D. Thymine

I.2.2. Which of the following is unique to RNA?

II. Ribose
III. Deoxyribose sugar
IV. Uracil

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and III ONLY
D. III only

1.2.3. Which of these is not a use of DNA fingerprinting?

A. to see how individuals are related
B. to study inherited diseases
C. to make mRNA
D. to provide evidence in criminal cases

1.2.4. All of the following statements concerning characteristics of predator-prey

relationships are correct EXCEPT:
A. A rise in the population of prey is often followed by a rise in the population
of predators
B. Camouflage is an adaptation that protects prey
C. The production of large numbers of offspring within very short periods of
time ensures the survival of some prey populations
D. The population of predators most often eliminates the population of prey

1.2.5. Which of the following causes populations to shift most quickly from an
exponential to a logistic population growth?
A. increased birth rate
B. removal of predators
C. decreased death rate
D. competition for resources

1.2.6. A population is a group of…

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A. individuals in a species
B. species in a community
C. communities in an ecosystem
D. individuals in a family

1.2.7. Macroevolution is a term that describes…….

A. An increase in the size of individuals of a population over a long period of

time.
B. The process leading to the formation of new genera and families of
organisms
C. A gradual change in the number species found in the fossil record.
D. Changes that can be seen without the need for a microscope

1.2.8. The following two gentlemen came up with a similar hypothesis about evolution.
A. Wallace and Haeki
B. Wallace and Darwin
C. Huxley and Darwin
D. Haeki and Darwin

1.2.9. Two individuals are most likely members of the same species if they…
A. Have a different number of chromosomes
B. Can mate and produce fertile offspring
C. Breed at different times
D. Are phenotypically different

1.1.10. The following list refers to events in nature:

1. Random fusion of gametes

2. Random assortment of chromosomes

3. Mutations
4. The process of crossing over

The events that contribute to genetic variation include….

A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 4 only
D. 1,2, and 3 only

(10 X 2 = 20)

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1.3 The diagram below shows a person suffering from a genetic disorder

1.3.1. Does the karyotype belong to a male or female? Give a reason for your
Answer (2)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

1.3.2. The chromosome number of this individual is uneven. Briefly state how this
could have occurred. (2)

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

1.3.3. Give TWO physical characteristics that would be found in such a person. (2)
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

1.3.4. Identify the process that could have been used to detect this abnormality in
chromosomes. (1)

_____________________________________________________

[7]

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1.4 The information in the table below was obtained from four South African hospitals in an
urban area.
Table 1.1: Data showing number of babies born with Down syndrome.
Age of mother Number of babies born with Down
syndrome (per 100 births)
(years)

20 0,7

25 0,9

30 1,1

35 2,0

40 10

1.4.1 Use the graph paper inseted to draw a graph of the data in the table. (7)

1.4.2 List TWO ways in which this study could be improved in order to obtain more
accurate data. (2)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1.4.3 At any mother’s age, the number of foetuses conceived with Down syndrome
is greater than the number of babies born with this genetic disorder. Give a
reason for this. (2)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1.4.4 From what age are mothers at high risk of giving birth to a baby with Down
syndrome? (1)
_______________________________________________
1.4.5 Calculate by what percentage the risk for a 45-year old mother versus a 20-year
old mother of having a Down syndrome baby, increases. (3)

[15]

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1.5 A true –breeding brown-winged butterfly is crossed with a true-breeding red-winged

butterfly. All the F1 butterflies were brown-winged

1.5.1 Is ‘brown’ dominant or recessive? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
1.5.2 Write down the genotypes of the parents of the brown and red-winged
butterflies. (2)
___________________________________________________
1.5.3. Write down the genotypes of the offspring that are brown-winged. (2)

__________________________________________________________
1.5.4. If F1 butterflies are allowed to interbreed, what would be the ratio of brown to red
wing in the F2 generation? Use the box below for your genetic diagram. (6)

[12]

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1.6 Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin were both interested in the large variety of
organisms that they observed in nature. They proposed different theories about the
diversity of species. Statements in the table below illustrate some of their ideas on the
‘origin of species’.

If the statement applies to Darwin only, write D in the block next to it.
If the statement applies to Lamarck only, write L in the block next to it.
If the statement applies to both Darwin and Lamarck, write D and L in the block next to
it.

Statement L, D, or D
and L
1. All the members of a species display varying characteristics
and overtime their appearances change

2. Only the fittest individuals with the most advantageous

characteristics survive in a changing environment.

3. Species acquire better and more efficient body structure by

their increased use, and pass on their acquired characteristics
to their offspring.

4. An example of a species becoming more diverse is when

bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, are able to survive and
then pass on their resistance to their offspring.

5 Characteristics are transferred from the surviving parents to

their offspring

6 In a species life time, acquired characteristics are passed on to

the offspring

7 Changes in populations is due to acquired characteristics

8 Individuals of a population produce more off springs than what

is needed for the continuity of the population
9 New species form as a result of adaptation

10 The unfit species become extinct

[12]

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1.7 Study the graphs below and answer the questions that follow:

Graph A: Growth rate of rabbits Graph B: Population growth rates

1.7.1 The above graph, what percentage of the population is between 0 – 4

. years of age in:

A. Mexico: __________________________

B. USA: _____________________________ (2)

1.7.2 The population in _______________________ shows the fastest growth.

. (1)

1.7.3 The _________________ age group has the smallest percentage number
of individuals in both countries. (1)
[4]

[80 marks]

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