1
LIFE SCIENCES
2026
GRADE 12
PREPARATORY
EXAMINATION
PAPER 1
Previous exam papers were used to compile these notes. SACAI SEP 2019 –
2021. LEWENSWETENSKAPPE (VRAESTEL 1) (10831) 2024. NSC
AUGUSTUS/SEPTEMBER LIFE SCIENCE P1 PRELIM | 2023. EC/ SEP 2025,
Gauteng SEP 2025
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3’ s STUDY NOTES for the Prelim
Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Contents
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 2
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES IN VERTEBRATES 4
HUMAN REPRODUCTION 8
Clomiphene and FSH stimulation 15
Placenta, umbilical cord and diffusion 17
Cervix and cancer investigation / pie chart 18
HUMAN RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT 20
Hearing and balance 23
Eye / Accommodation and myopia correction 26
Eye / Vision defects 27
Autonomic nervous system 28
THE HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS 29
Type 3 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease 30
Continuous Glucose Monitor / CGM 31
Adrenal glands 32
Homeostasis 33
PLANT RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT 37
Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA) 41
Tropisms / Phototropism 42
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Astigmatism Eye condition where the cornea and/or lens is not perfectly
rounded, causing light not to focus properly on the retina.
Scrotum Regulates the temperature of the testes so that sperm can
develop normally.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Choroid Pigmented layer of the eye that prevents internal reflection
of light.
Radial muscles of the Contract in dim light, causing the pupil to dilate.
iris
Circular muscles of the Contract in bright light, causing the pupil to constrict.
iris
Human growth hormone Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates
/ GH growth and metabolism, especially in muscles and the liver.
Motor neuron / motor Carries impulses from the CNS to effectors. If damaged, the
pathway person may feel a stimulus but cannot respond with
movement.
Chorion Extra-embryonic membrane that allows gaseous exchange
and helps form the placenta in mammals.
Aldosterone target Kidney. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to regulate salt
organ balance.
Negative feedback A control mechanism where a change is detected and
reversed to restore normal conditions.
Prostate gland Produces alkaline fluid that neutralises acidity in the vagina.
Neurotransmitter A chemical substance that transmits impulses across a
synapse from one neuron to another.
Yellow spot / fovea / Area of the retina with the highest concentration of cones
fovea centralis and the sharpest vision.
Altitude and breathing At high altitude, carbon dioxide levels may increase. This
causes the rate and depth of breathing to increase.
Growth-rate graph Girls have a higher growth rate than boys between the ages
interpretation of 10 and 13 years.
Oogenesis Formation of ova in the ovaries. During oogenesis, three
daughter cells from meiosis degenerate and one mature
ovum is formed.
Apical dominance The main shoot tip inhibits the growth of lateral buds. If the
main stem is cut, lateral branches grow more actively.
Organ of Corti Receptor organ in the cochlea that converts sound
vibrations into nerve impulses.
Eustachian tube Tube that connects the middle ear to the throat and helps
equalise pressure. It also allows fluid to drain from the
middle ear.
Osmoregulation The homeostatic control of water and salt balance in the
body.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Reproductive strategies in vertebrates
Case study (SACAI SEP 2022)
Sara is nine months pregnant. During Sara's pregnancy, she went for
ultrasound every month to see the growth of her foetus. Every month she
wrote down the foetus's size in a table. Study the table below and answer all
the questions that follow:
Carrying period
=
The period
when a woman
is pregnant.
• Independent variable = Months after conception
• Dependent variable = Length of foetus (cm).
Can you draw a line graph to graphically represent the above data? Try without looking
at the answer.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
LIFE SCIENCES
2026
GRADE 12
PREPARATORY
EXAMINATION
PAPER 1
Previous exam papers were used to compile these notes. SACAI SEP 2019 –
2021. LEWENSWETENSKAPPE (VRAESTEL 1) (10831) 2024. NSC
AUGUSTUS/SEPTEMBER LIFE SCIENCE P1 PRELIM | 2023. EC/ SEP 2025,
Gauteng SEP 2025
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
REMEMBER: You must study Term 1, 2 and Term 3’ s STUDY NOTES for the Prelim
Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 2
Contents
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 2
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES IN VERTEBRATES 4
HUMAN REPRODUCTION 8
Clomiphene and FSH stimulation 15
Placenta, umbilical cord and diffusion 17
Cervix and cancer investigation / pie chart 18
HUMAN RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT 20
Hearing and balance 23
Eye / Accommodation and myopia correction 26
Eye / Vision defects 27
Autonomic nervous system 28
THE HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS 29
Type 3 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease 30
Continuous Glucose Monitor / CGM 31
Adrenal glands 32
Homeostasis 33
PLANT RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT 37
Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA) 41
Tropisms / Phototropism 42
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Astigmatism Eye condition where the cornea and/or lens is not perfectly
rounded, causing light not to focus properly on the retina.
Scrotum Regulates the temperature of the testes so that sperm can
develop normally.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 3
Choroid Pigmented layer of the eye that prevents internal reflection
of light.
Radial muscles of the Contract in dim light, causing the pupil to dilate.
iris
Circular muscles of the Contract in bright light, causing the pupil to constrict.
iris
Human growth hormone Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates
/ GH growth and metabolism, especially in muscles and the liver.
Motor neuron / motor Carries impulses from the CNS to effectors. If damaged, the
pathway person may feel a stimulus but cannot respond with
movement.
Chorion Extra-embryonic membrane that allows gaseous exchange
and helps form the placenta in mammals.
Aldosterone target Kidney. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to regulate salt
organ balance.
Negative feedback A control mechanism where a change is detected and
reversed to restore normal conditions.
Prostate gland Produces alkaline fluid that neutralises acidity in the vagina.
Neurotransmitter A chemical substance that transmits impulses across a
synapse from one neuron to another.
Yellow spot / fovea / Area of the retina with the highest concentration of cones
fovea centralis and the sharpest vision.
Altitude and breathing At high altitude, carbon dioxide levels may increase. This
causes the rate and depth of breathing to increase.
Growth-rate graph Girls have a higher growth rate than boys between the ages
interpretation of 10 and 13 years.
Oogenesis Formation of ova in the ovaries. During oogenesis, three
daughter cells from meiosis degenerate and one mature
ovum is formed.
Apical dominance The main shoot tip inhibits the growth of lateral buds. If the
main stem is cut, lateral branches grow more actively.
Organ of Corti Receptor organ in the cochlea that converts sound
vibrations into nerve impulses.
Eustachian tube Tube that connects the middle ear to the throat and helps
equalise pressure. It also allows fluid to drain from the
middle ear.
Osmoregulation The homeostatic control of water and salt balance in the
body.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, 4
Reproductive strategies in vertebrates
Case study (SACAI SEP 2022)
Sara is nine months pregnant. During Sara's pregnancy, she went for
ultrasound every month to see the growth of her foetus. Every month she
wrote down the foetus's size in a table. Study the table below and answer all
the questions that follow:
Carrying period
=
The period
when a woman
is pregnant.
• Independent variable = Months after conception
• Dependent variable = Length of foetus (cm).
Can you draw a line graph to graphically represent the above data? Try without looking
at the answer.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
