GRAAD 12

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

LIFE SCIENCES

INFORMAL TEST 7 (GENETICS TEST 2)

MARKS: 50

TIME: 50 minutes

This question paper consists of 6 pages.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences 2 May 2021
NSC – Grade 12 Informal test 7 (Genetics Test 2)
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.

1. Answer ALL the questions.

2. Write ALL the answers in the ANSWER BOOK.

3. Start the answers 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 or flow 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,

where necessary.

11. Write neatly and legibly.

Copyright reserved
Life Sciences 3 May 2021
NSC – Grade 12 Informal test 7 (Genetics Test 2)
SECTION A
QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question
number (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 D.

1.1.1 The inheritance of one trait does not depend on the inheritance of another
trait. This represents …

A Mendel's law of dominance.

B Mendel’s law of segregation
C The principle of variation.
D Mendel's principle of independent assortment.

1.1.2 Which of the following correctly identifies the relationship between alleles,
chromosomes, and genes?

A Genes contain chromosomes and alleles.

B Chromosomes contain genes but not alleles.
C Alleles are found in chromosomes but not in genes.
D Genes are part of chromosomes and have different alleles.
(2 x 2) (4)

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 1.2.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.

1.2.1 The biotechnological production of genetically identical offspring.

1.2.2 Unspecialised cells which are capable of giving rise to any other cells of
the same organism.

1.2.3 The genetic crossing of two organisms in which two pairs of contrasting
characteristics are studied. (3 x 1) (3)

1.3 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 question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.8) in the ANSWER
BOOK.

COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 Results in genetic variation A Mitosis
B Cloning
1.3.2 An example of biotechnology A Genetic modification
B Cloning
1.3.3 Caused by gene mutation A Down syndrome
B Haemophilia
(3 x 1) (3)

TOTAL SECTION A: 10

Copyright reserved
Life Sciences 4 May 2021
NSC – Grade 12 Informal test 7 (Genetics Test 2)
SECTION B
QUESTION 2

2.1 In rice plants the allele for high yield (H) is dominant over the allele for low yield
(h). The allele for a tall stem (T) is dominant over the allele for a short stem (t).

There are two varieties of rice plants, A and B.

The genotype of variety A is HHtt.
The genotype of variety B is hhTT.

A plant breeder wants to produce a rice plant variety with a high yield and a short
stem.

2.1.1 Give the phenotype of variety A. (2)

2.1.2 Give ALL the possible genotypes of the gametes of variety B. (1)

2.1.3 Give the genotype(s) of the variety the plant breeder wants to produce. (2)

2.1.4 Describe how the plant breeder would be able to produce rice plants with
a high yield and short stems only. (2)
(7)

2.2 In a certain type of plant, the genes that determine the shape of the pollen grains
and the colour of the flowers are linked on the same chromosome. The pollen
grains could either be long (D) or round (d) and the flowers could either be purple
(E) or red (e).

In a dihybrid investigation, plant A (DdEe) is crossed with plant B (ddee).

2.2.1 Give the phenotype of plant B. (1)

2.2.2 Give ALL the possible genotypes of the gametes of plant A. (2)

2.2.3 Using a genetic cross, indicate the proportion of the phenotypes of the F1
generation. (6)
(9)

Copyright reserved
Life Sciences 5 May 2021
NSC – Grade 12 Informal test 7 (Genetics Test 2)
2.3 The diagram below represents the inheritance of colour blindness in a family. Use
XD for normal colour vision and Xd for the allele for colour blindness.

2.3.1 Give evidence from the pedigree diagram that suggests that colour
blindness is a sex-linked genetic disorder. (1)

2.3.2 Name the genotype of Bonnie. (1)

2.3.3 What is the percentage chance that Mary and Frank’s next daughter will
be colour blind if Mary is a carrier of the mutation? (1)

2.3.4 Explain how Tom and Barbara have a son who is colour blind even though
neither of them suffers from the condition. (3)

2.3.5 Explain why any son of a colour-blind female will always have this
disorder. (3)
(9)

25

QUESTION 3

3.1 Mutation is the sudden change in the genetic composition of an organism. Harmful
mutations result in genetic disorders.
3.1.1 Describe the following genetic disorders:

(a) Haemophilia (2)

(b) Colour blindness (2)

3.1.2 What type of mutation results in Down syndrome? (1)

(5)

Copyright reserved
Life Sciences 6 May 2021
NSC – Grade 12 Informal test 7 (Genetics Test 2)
3.2 The diagram below shows a genetic engineering process. A donor cell was taken
from the muscle cell of a male champion horse (stallion) to create a new offspring.

3.2.1 Name the:

a) genetic engineering process shown in the diagram above. (1)

b) process that produced ovum B (1)

3.2.2 Explain why only the nucleus of the donor cell is used. (2)

3.2.3 Why is the donor cell extracted from the champion horse? (2)

3.2.4 A somatic cell in a horse contains 64 chromosomes. How many

chromosomes would there be in:

a) structure A (1)

b) ovum B (1)

c) a muscle cell in organism D (1)

3.2.5 What is the name given to the offspring from this process? (1)
(10)

TOTAL SECTION B: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 50

Copyright reserved