Life Sciences/Grade 12 topic test 2 LDoE/January 2025
NSC
SEKHUKHUNE SOUTH DISTRICT
TOPIC TEST 1: DNA CODE OF LIFE
LIFE SCIENCES
30 JANUARY 2025
MARKS:50
DURATION: 50 MINUTES
This question paper consists of 10 pages including the cover page
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Life Sciences/Grade 12 topic test 2 LDoE/January 2025
NSC
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.
3. Start EACH question on 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. All drawings should be done in pencil and labeled in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams, tables or flow charts ONLY when requested to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper may NOT
necessarily be drawn to scale.
9. The use of graph paper is NOT permitted.
10. You may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor,
and a compass where necessary.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
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NSC
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–D) next to the
question number (1.1.1–1.1.3) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example1.1.4 D.
1.1.1 The scientists who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the structure of
DNA were …
A Watson and Franklin
B Wilkins and Franklin
C Crick and Franklin
D Watson and Crick
1.1.2 Which of the following involves complementary base pairing?
(i) Transcription
(ii) Translation
(iii) Replication
(iv) Denaturation
A (i) and (ii) only
B (ii) only
C (i), (ii) and (iii) only
D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
1.1.3 The components of a DNA molecule that provide the code for protein
synthesis are the …
A Sugars
B Phosphates
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C Hydrogen bonds
D Nitrogenous bases (3X2)(6)
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1-1.2.3) in the ANSWER BOOK
1.2.1 Base triplets found on mRNA.
1.2.2 A tangled network of DNA and protein located within the nucleus.
(1X2)(2)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions 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.
COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.3.1 Contains amino acids A. RNA
B. Protein
1.3.2 The nitrogenous base found in messenger A. Uracil
RNA but not in DNA B. Adenine
(2X2)(4)
1.4 When a thief broke into a car he cut his arm on the broken glass.
Scientists extracted DNA from the blood found on the broken glass. They analysed
this DNA sample and compared it to the DNA from three suspects,P, Q and R.
The table below shows the results of the analysis for the DNA from
each source.
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1.4.1 What do the diagrams above represent? (1)
1.4.2 Which suspect is most likely the thief?
(1)
1.4.3 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 1.4.2.
(1)
1.4.4 State ONE possible disadvantages of using this evidence in a court of law.
(1)
(4)
[16]
TOTAL SECTION A: [16]
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
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2.1 The diagram below represents a portion of nucleic acid.
V W
Z X
2.1.1 Name the nucleic acid. (1)
2.1.2 Name TWO places in animal cells where this nucleic acid can be found.
(2)
2.1.3 Identify:
(a) Portion V
(1)
(b) Nitrogenous base W (1)
(c) Molecule Y (1)
(d) Bond Z (1)
2.1.4 What is the natural shape of this molecule? (1)
2.1.5 Name the process which molecule makes an identical copy of its self.
(1)
(9)
2.2 Describe the involvement of the different types of RNA in the process of Protein
synthesis. (8)
[17]
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QUESTION 3
3.1 A mutation had occurred on a section of mRNA molecule as shown below.
Original sequence AUG GAA AUA CCG GGA
Mutated sequence AUG GAA AUA CUG GGA
3.1.1Name the mutation that has occurred. (1)
3.1.2 Give a reason for your answer to QUESTION 3.1.1 (1)
3.1.3 The table below shows the codons that code for some amino acids.
mRNA codon Amino acid
AUG Methionine
CAU Histidine
CUA Leucine
GUA Valine
GAC Aspartic acid
GAG Glutamic acid
GAU Aspartic acid
A. A mutation caused DNA base triplet to change from CTG to CTA.
Describe the effect of this mutation on the protein formed. (4)
B. Tabulate THREE structural differences between a monomer of RNA and a
monomer of DNA.
(7)
(11)
3.2 A section of a DNA molecule has the following base sequence:
CTT ACA
3.2.1 The percentage of guanine in this DNA molecule is 30%.
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Give percentage of thymine in the same amino acid.
(2)
3.2.2 Give the mRNA sequence, from left to right, for this segment of DNA.
(2)
(5)
TOTAL SECTION B: [34]
GRAND TOTAL: [50]
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LIFE SCIENCES GRADE 12 DNA CODE OF LIFE
QUESTION COGNITIVE LEVELS
NUMBERS
A B C D
1.1.
1.1.1 2
1.1.2 2
1.1.3 2
1.2
1.2.1 1
1.2.2 1
1.3
1.3.1 2
1.3.2 2
1.4
1.4.1 1
1.4.2 1
1.4.3 1
1.4.4 1
2.1
2.1.1 1
2.1.2 2
2.1.3 4
2.1.4 1
2.1.5 1
2.2 8
3.1
3.1.1 1
3.1.2 1
3.1.3 A 4
3.1.3 B 7
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3.2
3.2.1 2
3.2.2 2
TOTAL 22 13 9 6
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