METRO NORTH EDUCATION DISTRICT

LIFE SCIENCES P1

GRADE 12

MARKING GUIDELINE

COMMON TRIAL EXAMINATION

SEPTEMBER 2024

MARKS: 150

TIME: 2 1/2 hours

This exam paper consists of 10 pages.

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 unrecognized
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 recognizable 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

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.
SECTION A

QUESTION 1
DO NOT MARK IF 2 ANSWERS GIVEN
1.1 1.1.1 B B/A x
1.1.2 B
1.1.3 B
1.1.4 C
1.1.5 C 
1.1.6 C 
1.1.7 D 
1.1.8 A
1.1.9 C 
1.1.10 A  (10x2) (20)

1.2 1.2.1 Amniotic egg

1.2.2 Vas deferens  / sperm duct
1.2.3 Choroid 
1.2.4 Prolactin 
1.2.5 Homeostasis 
1.2.6 Endocrine  system
1.2.7 Corpus luteum 
1.2.8 Parasympathetic system
1.2.9 Thermoregulation  NOT TEMPERATURE REGULATION
1.2.10 Thorns / Spines (10x1) (10)

1.3 1.3.1 B only  / B 

1.3.2 Both A and B  / AB/ A,B/ both/ NOT A/B
1.3.3 A only  / A  (3x2) (6)

1.4 1.4.1
(a) Thyroid gland (1)
(b) Adrenal gland (1)
(c) Pancreas  gland (1)

1.4.2
(a) TSH  / Thyroid stimulating hormone (1)
(b) Pituitary  gland/ Hypophysis (1)
(c) (Negative feedback mechanism)  (1)

1.4.3 Adrenalin  (1)

1.4.4 Glucagon (1)

(8)
1.5 1.5.1
(a) Motor  neuron (1)
(b) Sensory neuron (1)

1.5.2 Cell body  (1)

1.5.3
(a) B (1)
(b) A (1)

1.5.4 II  (1)
(6)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50
SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 2.1.1 B - ossicles 

C – Oval window (2)

2.1.2 A  Tympanic membrane/ Tympanum/Eardrum (2)

2.1.3 Absorbs excess (pressure waves) from the inner ear/ prevents
echo (1)

2.1.4 - The person will suffer from hearing loss * / be deaf because
- pressure will not be equalised on either side of the tympanic
membrane
- no/less vibrations in the middle ear/ ossicles
Compulsory mark * + Any 2 (3)

2.1.5 - tympanic membrane/Part A vibrates and transmits the vibrations

to the ossicles in the middle ear
- the ossicles amplify the vibrations to the oval window
- pressure waves will form in the cochlea/inner ear
- receptors in the Organ of Corti/hair cells are stimulated
- Impulses are transmitted via the auditory nerve
- to the cerebrum 
- to be interpreted Any 6 (6)
(14)

2.2 2.2.1 - Stimulates ovulation(description of ovulation)

- Stimulates the formation of the Corpus luteum (2)

2.2.2 - The increase in oestrogen 

- caused an increase in the thickness of the endometrium (2)

2.2.3 increase in hormone B/ progesterone:

- is to maintain the lining of the endometrium
- for implantation/pregnancy (2)

2.2.4 high levels of hormone B

- inhibits the pituitary gland from secreting FSH
- so that no new follicle is formed
- preventing ovulation (3)
(9)

2.3 2.3.1 (a) Epididymis  (1)

(b) Urethra  (1)

2.3.2 - Part A/ acrosome contains enzymes 

- that digest the outer membrane of the ovum  (2)
 2.3.3 - it is alkaline 
to neutralize the acidic conditions of the vagina
- it contains mucus / provides medium
to facilitate the movement of the sperm
it contains nutrients
- to supply the sperm with energy
(Mark first ONE only) Any (1 X 2) (2)
+
2.3.4 Gametogenesis in males Gametogenesis in females
Called spermatogenesis Called oogenesis
Stimulated by testosterone Stimulated by FSH
Takes place in the testes/ Takes place in the ovaries/
seminiferous tubules follicles
Results in 4 sperm cells Results in 1 ovum being
being produced produced
Process starts at puberty The process starts before
puberty/ at birth
(Mark first TWO only) Any (2X2) + 1 table (5)
(11)

2.4 2.4.1 (a) F  Corpus callosum (2)

(b) B  Cerebellum  (2)
(c) E  Pituitary gland/ Hypophysis (2)

2.4.2 - Cranium  Meninges [ cerebrospinal fluid] (2)

2.4.3 (a) Cerebrum (1)

(b) – The medulla oblongata that controls heartrate

- that is not affected by the concussion (2)
(11)

2.5 - The zygote divides by mitosis

- To form a ball of cells called the morula
- The morula divides mitotically
- To form a hollow ball of cells
- Known as a blastocyst/blastula [ NOT blastocyte]
- The blastocyst is implanted in the endometrium (5)
Any
[50]

QUESTION 3

3.1 3.1.1 Internal fertilization (1)

3.1.2 - Sperm are deposited inside the female body

thereby increasing the chances of fertilisation
- Gametes/zygotes are inside the body
therefore protected from the predators/ environmental dangers
 (Mark first ONE only) Any (1 X 2) (2)

3.1.3 - The eggs hatch inside the female’s body

- and the young are born live (2)
(5)

3.2 3.2.1 - (Eye) accommodation (1)

3.2.2 - lens is transparent

To allow light to pass through
- lens is biconvex
For refraction of light
- The lens is elasticand
can change shape/convexity
(Mark first TWO only) Any (2X2) (4)

3.2.3 The (central) diameter of the lens decreases as the distance of

the object from the eye increases. (2)

3.2.4 - It is more convex

- so that light rays are refracted/bent more
- to form a clear image on the retina/ to focus on the retina (3)
(10)

3.3 3.3.1 (a) Diabetes  mellitus (1)

(b) – The pancreas of this person produces low

levels of insulin /cells are insulin resistant
- blood glucose is not converted to glycogen/glucose
is not absorbed into the cells (2)

3.3.2 13 – 4  (2)
=9

3.3.3 - Glucagon
- Adrenalin (2)
(7)
3.4 3.4.1 - Will creatine supplementation have an effect on the levels of (2)
testosterone in the blood of weightlifting males?

3.4.2 Weightlifters were:

- healthy
- same age
- same diet 
- same training routine
(Mark first TWO only) Any 2 (2)

3.4.3 - 100 men were used

- investigation was done for 8 weeks (2)

3.4.4 - Testosterone levels in the blood were measured 

 - before the administering of the creatine supplement  (2)

3.4.5 The creatine supplement had no effect on the levels of

testosterone in the blood of weightlifting males.  (2)

3.4.6 - stimulates puberty

- stimulates formation of sperm cells (2)
(12)

3.5 3.5.1 Diagram M (1)

3.5.2 - Blood vessels are constricted/vasoconstriction occurred

- Less blood flows to the skin surface
- Heat is retained / less or no heat is lost (3)

3.5.3 - Sweat gland becomes more active

- More sweat is produced
- and transported to the surface of the skin (3)
(7)

3.6 3.6.1 Geotropism (1)

3.6.2 Auxins  (1)

3.6.3 - Due to gravity

- there is a higher concentration of auxins on the lower side of
the stem
- which stimulates growth
- therefore, growth will occur mainly on the lower side
- causing the stem to grow/bend upwards (5)

3.6.4 - The leaves of the stem will receive more sunlight/face the
sunlight
 − for more photosynthesis
OR
− Exposes the flowers more favourably
− for pollination/seed dispersal
(Mark first ONE only) Any (1X2) (2)
(9)

TOTAL SECTION 100

B:

150
TOTAL: