1
LIFE SCIENCES
GRADE 12
PAPER 2
Prelim Exam
2026
Previous exam papers were used to compile these notes.
SACAI SEP 2019 – 2021 & NOV 2019 – 2021, NCS DBE/ November
2023, EC/SEPTEMBER 2023 & NCS LIFE SCIENCES (PAPER 2)
10832/2024. (EC/SEPTEMBER 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 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
y
, 2
CONTENTS
DNA 6
GENETICS AND INHERITANCE 9
MEIOSIS 35
EVOLUTION THROUGH NATURAL SELECTION 37
Multiple-choice questions
“Out of Africa” hypothesis All humans originated from a common ancestor in
Africa.
Mitochondrial DNA evidence showed that an African
woman was the ancestor of all humans.
Gradualism Model for evolution suggested by Darwin that suggests
that speciation is slow and uniform.
DNA from fossils CANNOT be used as evidence for evolution
DNA-profiling/ DNA fingerprinting The procedure used by forensic pathologists to identify
criminals based on the unique sequence of
nucleotides on their DNA.
Africa The continent that is currently accepted as the cradle
of humankind.
Lamarckism Acquired characteristics are inheritable.
RNA RNA is short single stranded. RNA differs from DNA in
that it has uracil and a ribose sugar.
Advantages of bipedalism • A person can see further to spot predators.
• It frees a person’s arms to carry things.
• It enables a person to cool down quicker.
Biotechnology/ Bioengineering The use of biological organisms or biological
processes to make products that can improve human
lives
Homologous structures Structures in different organisms that share similarities
but have different functions.
3:1 ‘A black furred rabbit is crossed with a white furred
rabbit. All their offspring (F1) is black. If two of their
offspring is crossbred, their offspring’s (F2) phenotypic
ratio will be 3:1
y
, 3
BB x WW A black mouse was crossbred with a white mouse. All
their offspring is grey. The P1 genotype = BB x WW
Homo naledi These hominins are considered the most modern
Aneuploidy Down syndrome
XY Chromosomes of a boy
Gregor Mendel’s laws Law of independent assortment
The diagram illustrates part of a DNA molecule.
A single DNA nucleotide is shown by sub-unit(s): X, Y
and Z together.
Type of inheritance is illustrated by the diagram below:
Co-dominance
Unstriped body with normal The alleles for striped body and normal antennae are
antennae dominant over the alleles for unstriped body and
abnormal antennae. The phenotype of the fly
numbered 4 will be unstriped body with normal
antennae.
The diagram illustrates a genetically engineered
bacterial cell. The structure labelled X is a plasmid.
Interphase The phase of the cell cycle during which DNA
replication takes place.
The process of DNA replication 1. The (DNA) double helix unwinds and – unzips
DBE/November 202 /hydrogen bonds break to form two separate
strands
2. Both (DNA) strands serve as templates to build
a complementary (DNA) strand/ A pair with T
and C pairs with G using free (DNA) nucleotides
from the nucleoplasm
3. This result is two identical DNA molecules
Locus The specific position of each gene on a chromosome.
Ribosome The site of protein synthesis.
Chiasmata Points on a chromosome where crossing over takes
place
y
, 4
Haploid A single set of chromosomes in a cell.
Anti-codons The triplet of three consecutive bases on t-RNA.
Monohybrid A genetic cross where only one hereditary
characteristic is investigated at a time.
Homozygous An individual that has two of the same alleles of a
gene/ Having two identical genes at the same locus.
Punctuated equilibrium Evolution occurs in sudden bursts after long periods of
no change.
Alleles determine characteristics such as petal colour
in flowers. An allele is an alternative form of a gene.
Goltz Syndrome Goltz Syndrome is a condition in humans that
adversely affects the skin. It is inherited as a dominant
gene carried on the X chromosome.
Layer 4 of the rock in the diagram below is most likely
to contain the oldest fossils
Statements is correct:
The domestic dog is closer related to the African wild
dog than to the jackal.
Biogeography The study of the distribution of species.
Foramen magnum The opening in the skull through which the spinal cord
leaves the brain.
Dr Lee Berger The South African palaeontologist who discovered
Australopithecus sediba.
Outbreeding Reproduction between unrelated members of a
population.
Quadrupedalism The mode of walking permanently on four legs.
Cradle of Humankind The World Heritage Site in South Africa that is made up
of thirteen hominid fossil sites and over 200 caves.
y
LIFE SCIENCES
GRADE 12
PAPER 2
Prelim Exam
2026
Previous exam papers were used to compile these notes.
SACAI SEP 2019 – 2021 & NOV 2019 – 2021, NCS DBE/ November
2023, EC/SEPTEMBER 2023 & NCS LIFE SCIENCES (PAPER 2)
10832/2024. (EC/SEPTEMBER 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 STUDY NOTES for the Prelim Exam.
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
y
, 2
CONTENTS
DNA 6
GENETICS AND INHERITANCE 9
MEIOSIS 35
EVOLUTION THROUGH NATURAL SELECTION 37
Multiple-choice questions
“Out of Africa” hypothesis All humans originated from a common ancestor in
Africa.
Mitochondrial DNA evidence showed that an African
woman was the ancestor of all humans.
Gradualism Model for evolution suggested by Darwin that suggests
that speciation is slow and uniform.
DNA from fossils CANNOT be used as evidence for evolution
DNA-profiling/ DNA fingerprinting The procedure used by forensic pathologists to identify
criminals based on the unique sequence of
nucleotides on their DNA.
Africa The continent that is currently accepted as the cradle
of humankind.
Lamarckism Acquired characteristics are inheritable.
RNA RNA is short single stranded. RNA differs from DNA in
that it has uracil and a ribose sugar.
Advantages of bipedalism • A person can see further to spot predators.
• It frees a person’s arms to carry things.
• It enables a person to cool down quicker.
Biotechnology/ Bioengineering The use of biological organisms or biological
processes to make products that can improve human
lives
Homologous structures Structures in different organisms that share similarities
but have different functions.
3:1 ‘A black furred rabbit is crossed with a white furred
rabbit. All their offspring (F1) is black. If two of their
offspring is crossbred, their offspring’s (F2) phenotypic
ratio will be 3:1
y
, 3
BB x WW A black mouse was crossbred with a white mouse. All
their offspring is grey. The P1 genotype = BB x WW
Homo naledi These hominins are considered the most modern
Aneuploidy Down syndrome
XY Chromosomes of a boy
Gregor Mendel’s laws Law of independent assortment
The diagram illustrates part of a DNA molecule.
A single DNA nucleotide is shown by sub-unit(s): X, Y
and Z together.
Type of inheritance is illustrated by the diagram below:
Co-dominance
Unstriped body with normal The alleles for striped body and normal antennae are
antennae dominant over the alleles for unstriped body and
abnormal antennae. The phenotype of the fly
numbered 4 will be unstriped body with normal
antennae.
The diagram illustrates a genetically engineered
bacterial cell. The structure labelled X is a plasmid.
Interphase The phase of the cell cycle during which DNA
replication takes place.
The process of DNA replication 1. The (DNA) double helix unwinds and – unzips
DBE/November 202 /hydrogen bonds break to form two separate
strands
2. Both (DNA) strands serve as templates to build
a complementary (DNA) strand/ A pair with T
and C pairs with G using free (DNA) nucleotides
from the nucleoplasm
3. This result is two identical DNA molecules
Locus The specific position of each gene on a chromosome.
Ribosome The site of protein synthesis.
Chiasmata Points on a chromosome where crossing over takes
place
y
, 4
Haploid A single set of chromosomes in a cell.
Anti-codons The triplet of three consecutive bases on t-RNA.
Monohybrid A genetic cross where only one hereditary
characteristic is investigated at a time.
Homozygous An individual that has two of the same alleles of a
gene/ Having two identical genes at the same locus.
Punctuated equilibrium Evolution occurs in sudden bursts after long periods of
no change.
Alleles determine characteristics such as petal colour
in flowers. An allele is an alternative form of a gene.
Goltz Syndrome Goltz Syndrome is a condition in humans that
adversely affects the skin. It is inherited as a dominant
gene carried on the X chromosome.
Layer 4 of the rock in the diagram below is most likely
to contain the oldest fossils
Statements is correct:
The domestic dog is closer related to the African wild
dog than to the jackal.
Biogeography The study of the distribution of species.
Foramen magnum The opening in the skull through which the spinal cord
leaves the brain.
Dr Lee Berger The South African palaeontologist who discovered
Australopithecus sediba.
Outbreeding Reproduction between unrelated members of a
population.
Quadrupedalism The mode of walking permanently on four legs.
Cradle of Humankind The World Heritage Site in South Africa that is made up
of thirteen hominid fossil sites and over 200 caves.
y
