NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES P1
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
MARKS: 150
TIME: 2½ hours
This question paper consists of 18 pages.
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,Life Sciences/P1 2 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2017
NSC
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, tables 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.
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,Life Sciences/P1 3 DBE/Feb.–Mar. 2017
NSC
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Write down the question number (1.1.1–1.1.10), choose the answer and make
a cross (X) over the letter (A–D) of your choice in the ANSWER BOOK.
EXAMPLE:
1.1.11 A B C D
1.1.1 After sperm cells have been produced in humans, they are stored
in the … until maturation.
A penis
B urethra
C epididymis
D seminal vesicles
1.1.2 Which ONE of the following parts in the diagram of a sperm cell
contains a haploid number of chromosomes?
1 3 4
2
A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4
1.1.3 Which ONE of the following plant hormones is responsible for the
germination of seeds?
A Growth hormone
B Abscisic acid
C Gibberellin
D Auxin
1.1.4 The phase in meiosis in which individual centromeres split is
called …
A anaphase I.
B anaphase II.
C metaphase I.
D metaphase II.
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1.1.5 When Jane plays in the snow, her body maintains a constant core
temperature by …
A vasodilation and sweating.
B vasoconstriction and shivering.
C sweating and shivering.
D vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
1.1.6 Which ONE of the following hormones prepares the human body to
react to emergency situations?
A Insulin
B Aldosterone
C Adrenalin
D Growth hormone
QUESTIONS 1.1.7 AND 1.1.8 REFER TO THE INVESTIGATION BELOW.
An investigation was carried out to determine the fertility levels of healthy
males in different age groups.
The procedure followed was as follows:
• 50 healthy males in each of the following age groups were asked to
participate: 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60–69.
• Semen was collected from each of the males.
The number of active sperm cells present in the semen was counted for each
man in each age group and averages were calculated.
1.1.7 Which ONE of the following is the dependent variable in the
investigation?
A Fitness levels of the males
B Age groups of the males
C Number of active sperm cells
D Amount of semen
1.1.8 Which ONE of the following variables was kept constant during this
investigation?
A Number of participants in each age group
B Fertility levels of males in each age group
C Number of active sperm cells
D Age groups of the males
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