NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

SEPTEMBER 2024

LIFE SCIENCES P1
MARKING GUIDELINE

MARKS: 150

This marking guideline consists of 10 pages.

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
2 LIFE SCIENCES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)

PRINCIPLES RELATED TO MARKING LIFE SCIENCES

1. If more information than marks allocated is given

Stop marking when maximum marks are 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 the whole process is given when only a part of it is required

Read all and credit the relevant part.

4. If comparisons are asked for but descriptions are given

Accept if the 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 are
incorrect, do not credit. If sequence and links become correct again, resume
credit.

9. Non-recognised abbreviations
Accept if first defined in answer. If not defined, do not credit the unrecognised
abbreviation but credit the rest of the 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 recognisable, accept the answer, provided it does not mean something else in
Life Sciences or if it is out of context.

13. If common names are given in terminology

Accept, provided it was accepted at the provincial memo discussion meeting.

14. If only the letter is asked for but only the name is given (and vice versa)
Do not credit.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 3

15. If units are not given in measurements

Candidates will lose marks. Marking guideline 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 appear(s) 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. A marker that is proficient in the relevant
official language should be consulted. This is applicable to all official
languages.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
4 LIFE SCIENCES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)

SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 1.1.1 A ✓✓
1.1.2 B ✓✓
1.1.3 C ✓✓
1.1.4 A ✓✓
1.1.5 C ✓✓
1.1.6 B ✓✓
1.1.7 D ✓✓
1.1.8 A ✓✓
1.1.9 C ✓✓ (9 x 2) (18)

1.2 1.2.1 Receptor ✓

1.2.2 Chorion ✓
1.2.3 Effector ✓
1.2.4 Vasodilation ✓
1.2.5 Concave ✓
1.2.6 Mammary ✓
1.2.7 Retina ✓
1.2.8 Hypothalamus ✓
1.2.9 Synapse ✓ / synaptic cleft (9 x 1) (9)

1.3 1.3.1 A only ✓✓

1.3.2 None ✓✓
1.3.3 Both A and B ✓✓
1.3.4 A only ✓✓ (4 x 2) (8)

1.4.1 (a) D ✓ ‒ Cerebellum ✓ (2)

(b) A ✓ ‒ Cerebrum ✓ (2)

(c) B ✓ ‒ Medulla Oblongata ✓ (2)

1.4.2 - Vertebrae ✓
Prevent mechanical injury ✓

- Cerebral spinal fluid ✓

Cushioning the spinal cord acting as a shock absorber ✓/
prevent friction

- Meninges ✓
Membranes hold the spinal cord in place ✓/ produce cerebral
spinal fluid
(Mark first TWO only) (Any 2 x 2) (4)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 5

1.5 Diagram of sensory neuron

Cell body Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Dendrite Myelin
Axon
sheath
Axon
Terminal

Marking guideline:
✓ (T) Suitable title
✓✓✓ (L) Labels (Any 3)
✓ (D) Correct drawing (sensory neuron) (5)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
6 LIFE SCIENCES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)

SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1 2.1.1 10
✓ x 84 000 ✓=8 400 babies ✓ (3)
100
2.1.2 (a) - Thick plastic bag ✓
Encloses (protects) the developing foetus until delivery ✓
(Mark first ONE only) (2)

(b) - Oxygenator ✓
Allows for gaseous exchange ✓

OR

- Intravenous bag ✓
Provides nutrients ✓
(Mark first ONE only) (Any 1 x 2) (2)

2.1.3 - The developing foetus (organs) is allowed to continue developing/ ✓

Giving the organs sufficient time
- its normal development ✓/ to develop fully/ for optimal development
- Scientists can determine when the gestation period is over ✓/when
to deliver the baby (3)

2.1.4 - Human foetuses could possibly be lost / destroyed ✓

- Acquiring consent from regulatory bodies ✓/parents
- Fully informing donor parent(s) about the risks ✓
- Contrary to religious observances ✓
(Mark first TWO only) (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.2 2.2.1 Internal ✓ fertilisation (1)

2.2.2 The male releases semen inside of the female’s body ✓ (1)

2.2.3 Vivipary ✓ (1)

2.2.4 - The baby kangaroo is able to develop within its mother’s pouch for an
extended period of time ✓ / till 235 days
- This gives greater protection ✓ against environmental threats (accept
examples of threats)

OR

- The baby kangaroo latches onto a teat ✓ of the mother

- Providing nutrition ✓
(Mark first ONE only) (Any 1 x 2) (2)

2.2.5 Baby kangaroo is …

- blind ✓
- naked ✓
- relies on parent for nutrition ✓ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 7

2.3 2.3.1 (a) Vitreous humour ✓* / chamber

- Contains nutrients for the inner eye ✓
- Maintains eyeball shape ✓
- Transparent to allow for transmission of light to retina ✓
(✓* compulsory + ✓ function) (2)

(b) Cornea ✓*
- Refraction of light ✓
- Protection ✓ of the eye
- Allows light to enter the eye ✓
(✓* compulsory + ✓ function) (2)

2.3.2 - Light entering the eye will not be effectively regulated ✓ /controlled
- To much light / to little could enter the eye ✓
- Distorting images that fall on the retina ✓ /causing blurred vision (3)

2.3.3 - Ciliary muscles contract ✓

- Suspensory ligaments slacken ✓
- Tension on the lens decreases ✓
- Lens becomes more convex ✓ / bulged
- Refractive power of lens will increase ✓/ light rays are refracted
more
(a clear image is focused on the retina) (5)

2.4 2.4.1 (a) D ✓ ‒ Oval window ✓ (2)

(b) B ✓ ‒ Cochlea ✓ (2)

2.4.2 - Change is speed/ direction of head ✓

- Stimulates the cristae ✓
- Stimulus is converted to an impulses ✓
- Impulse is transmitted to the cerebellum ✓
- Via the auditory nerve ✓
- The cerebellum sends impulses to voluntary / skeletal muscles ✓ to
maintain balance (Any 4 x 1) (4)

2.4.3 - Long coiled structure ✓

Increased surface area to detect pressure vibrations of endolymph /✓
enhances the ability to detect low frequency sound

OR

- Presence of mechanoreceptors / organ of Corti ✓

To convert pressure vibrations into a nerve impulse ✓

OR

- Contains fluid ✓/perilymph and endolymph

Medium through which pressure vibrations are generated and moves
through ✓ (Any 1 x 2) (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
8 LIFE SCIENCES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)

2.5 2.5.1 Geotropism ✓ (1)

2.5.2 Due to rotation of clinostat

- Gravity will be even on all sides ✓ / there will be no effect of gravity
- Auxins will be evenly distributed ✓ in the root tip
- Causing even cell elongation ✓ /growth
- Causing the root to grow horizontal ✓ /not to bend (Any 3 x 1) (3)

2.5.3 - Auxin moves to the dark/shaded side ✓ of the stem

- High concentration of auxin stimulates growth ✓
- Leading to increased cell growth/elongation ✓ on that side
- The stem bends towards the light ✓ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

2.5.4 - Mechanical ✓ /thorns

- Chemical ✓ (2)
[50]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2024) LIFE SCIENCES P1 9

QUESTION 3

3.1 3.1.1 - 20 rats were placed into each group ✓

To ensure a large sampling size ✓
OR
- Testing done 3 time over 90 days ✓
So experiment was repeated ✓
OR
- Blood serum samples were harvested at random ✓
In order to obtain an average ✓
(Mark the first ONE) (Any 1 x 2) (2)

3.1.2 - By using rats of the same reproductive ages ✓

- Giving the rats the same amount of water ✓
(Mark the first ONE) (Any 1 x 1) (1)

3.1.3 - Testosterone level ✓ /amount of testosterone (1)

3.1.4 - It is the control / To allow us to compare results ✓

- To show the decrease in testosterone ✓
- Is due to microplastics ✓
- And not the water ✓ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

3.1.5 As microplastics accumulate in an organism’s body (rats), fertility

rates will drop ✓✓
OR
Fewer microplastics within an organism’s body (rat) will cause a
higher fertility rate ✓✓ (2)

3.1.6 - Under the influence of testosterone ✓

- diploid cells in the seminiferous tubules ✓ of the testes
- undergo meiosis ✓
- to form haploid sperm cells ✓ (4)

3.1.7 - Low testosterone levels ✓ would result in a

- decrease in spermatogenesis ✓/less sperm will be formed/mature (2)

3.2 3.2.1 (a) Adrenal glands ✓ (1)

(b) Pancreas ✓ (1)

3.2.2 To maintain level of thyroxin ✓ within narrow limits ✓ in the body (2)

3.2.3 Exocrine
- due to its secretion ✓/pancreatic juice
- into a duct ✓
Endocrine
- secretion of hormone ✓/glucagon/insulin
- directly into the blood ✓ (4)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.
10 LIFE SCIENCES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2024)

3.2.4 - Gland C secretes the hormone adrenalin ✓

- increases conversion of glycogen to glucose ✓
- increase in blood glucose levels ✓
- increase in breathing rate ✓
- more oxygen diffuses into blood stream ✓
- increases heart rate ✓
- dilates blood vessels to skeletal muscles ✓
- more blood reaches skeletal muscles ✓ (Any 5 x 1) (5)

3.2.5 (a) pituitary gland ✓ / hypophysis / Part A (1)

(b) Acromegaly ✓ (1)

3.3.1 (a) Ovaries ✓/ graafian follicle /developing follicle (1)

(b) Corpus luteum ✓ (1)

3.3.2 - Day 14 ✓ (1)

3.3.3 - LH levels had spiked ✓/peaked (1)

3.3.4 - Implantation/ fertilisation has occurred ✓

- The corpus luteum does not degenerate ✓ /continues to produce
progesterone (2)

3.3.5 - High levels of progesterone ✓

- Will inhibit the pituitary gland ✓
- From secreting FSH ✓
- No follicles will be stimulated to develop ✓ (4)

3.4 3.4.1 - Chemoreceptors in the carotid artery are stimulated ✓ by the drop in
pH
- Impulses are sent to the medulla oblongata ✓ /medulla oblongata is
stimulated
- The medulla oblongata stimulates the heart ✓
- to beat faster ✓ causing
- more carbon dioxide to be taken to the lungs ✓
- the breathing muscles ✓ /intercostal muscles and diaphragm
- contract more actively ✓ and
- the rate/depth of breathing increases ✓
- more carbon dioxide is exhaled ✓
- The carbon dioxide level in the blood decrease ✓ /returns to normal.
(Any 7 x 1) (7)

3.4.2 - The athlete would develop hyperthermia ✓

- Proteins/enzymes may denature ✓
- He/she may lose consciousness ✓
- leading to permanent damage ✓/death (Any 3 x 1) (3)
[50]

TOTAL SECTION B: 50
GRAND TOTAL: 150

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Hosted by www.ecexams.co.za.