NATIONAL

Basic Education
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

DNA- THE CODE OF LIFE

INFORMAL TEST

NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

MARKS: 80

TIME: 1½ hours

N.B. This question paper consists of 10 pages.

Copyright Reserved Please Turn Over

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.

1. Answer ALL the questions.

2. Write ALL the answers in the ANSWER BOOK.

3. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question
paper.

4. Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.

5. ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.

6. Draw diagrams, flow charts or tables only when asked to do so.

7. The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.

8. Do NOT use graph paper.

9. You must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass

where necessary.

10. Write neatly and legibly.

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SECTION A

QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question number
(1.1.1 to 1.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.11 D.

1.1.1 The scientists who won the Nobel Prize for discovering of the
structure of DNA were

A Watson and Franklin

B Wilkins and Franklin
C Wilkins and Franklin
D Crick and Watson

1.1.2 A difference between DNA and RNA

A RNA is double-stranded and DNA is single-stranded

B DNA has a sugar-phosphate bond, whereas RNA does not have
C There are weak hydrogen bonds in DNA, but not in RNA
D RNA has double helix structure and DNA is straight

1.1.3 A sample of DNA has 60 guanine bases and 30 adenine bases.

How many phosphate groups would you expect in this sample of DNA?

A 30
B 90
C 180
D 270

1.1.4 DNA and RNA are examples of

A Amino Acids
B Proteins
C Enzymes
D Nucleic acids

1.1.5 The components of a DNA molecule that provide the code for protein
synthesis are the…

A Sugars
B phosphate
C Hydrogen
D Nitrogenous base

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 1.1.6 Which ONE of the following compounds contain amino acids?

A RNA
B Protein
C Glucose
D DNA

1.1.7 The difference between nucleic acid and nucleotide is that

A Nucleic acids are building blocks of nucleotides

B Nucleotide are building blocks of nucleic acid
C Nucleotide are larger than nucleic acids
D Nucleic acids are found in the nucleus and nucleotides are found
in the cytoplasm

7x2 (14)

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 to 1.2.10) in your ANSWER
BOOK.

1.2.1 The natural shape of DNA

1.2.2 The bonds that join the amino acids together to form a protein

1.2.3 The analysis of DNA sample to identifying individuals that may be

related

1.2.4 A variable that is manipulated during an investigation

1.2.5 A tangled network of the DNA and protein located within the nucleus

1.2.6 Opening in the nuclear membrane that allow mRNA to leave the
nucleus

1.2.7 The organelle in a cell where translation occurs

(7)

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1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements in COLUMN I apply 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 (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in
the ANSWER BOOK.

COLUMN I COLUMN II

1.3.1 Found in the nucleus A DNA

B RNA

1.3.2 The nitrogenous base found A Uracil

in mRNA only
B Adenine

1.3.3 Three bases on mRNA A Codon

B Anticodon

(3x2) (6)

1.4

1.4.1. Name the nucleic acid (1)

1.4.2. Name TWO places in animal cells where this nucleic acid may be
found (2)
1.4.3. Identify:

a) Portion V (1)

b) Nitrogenous base W (1)

c) Molecule Y (1)
d) Bond Z
(1)
(7)

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1.5 The diagram below shows the process of DNA replication

1.5.1 Name the phase of the cell cycle during which DNA replication takes (1)
place

1.5.2 Identify the type of error that occurred in strand 3 (1)

1.5.3 Give the base pair showing the error stated in 1.5.2 (1)
1.5.4 Describe the consequences of the error in resulting daughter cells (2)

(5)

TOTAL SECTION A: [40]

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2

2.1. Read the extract below and answer the questions that follows

2.1.1 Describe the structure of a DNA molecule. (4)

2.1.2 Explain why DNA is suited as a carrier of the genetic code. (2)

2.1.3 If a DNA molecule contains 270 bases of which 70 are thymine, then
how many bases of Guanine does the sample contain? Explain your
answer using information in the abstract. (3)

(9)

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2.2 Four soldiers are missing from an army unit. The unit finds a body of one of the missing
soldiers who has been killed in an explosion. There are no identifiable features on the
body and the identification tags are missing.

The army asks the parents of the four missing soldiers for a DNA sample so that they
can compare the DNA profiles of the parents with the DNA profile of the soldier that
was killed.

2.2.1 Which set of the parents are the parents of a dead soldier? (1)
2.2.2 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.1.1. (2)
2.2.3
Mention ONE other use of DNA profiling. (1)(1)

2.2.4 State TWO reasons why DNA can be considered unreliable (2)
(6)

2.3. Tabulate TWO differences between DNA replication and transcription. (5)
[20]

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QUESTION 3

3.1 The diagram below shows protein synthesis

3.1.1 Which strand (1 or 2) is the coding strand for process X? (1)

3.1.2 Identify molecule 4 (1)

3.1.3 Give the anticodon for lysine (1)

3.1.4 The codon AUG (first codon) on molecule 3 changed to AAG

Explain the effect it would have on the protein molecule formed (3)
3.1.5 Describe the process represented by Y in the diagram above (5)

(11)

3.2 Read the following passage and answer the following questions.

Many athletes have to train hard to build muscle. Muscle is a protein and is therefore formed
by protein synthesis. Athletes need to eat and train to ensure optimal Muscle Protein
Synthesis (MPS). They always want to know how much protein they must eat to build bigger
muscles.
Scientists carried out an investigation to determine the optimal daily protein (in grams)
needed for maximal increase in Muscle Protein Synthesis.

The investigation was carried out as follows:

• They studied 100 bodybuilders
• Each bodybuilder was given the same daily weightlifting exercise programme
• All athletes were fed the measured protein meal straight after exercising
• Their MPS was recorded 4 hours after exercising

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The graph below shows the results of the investigation. These results were similar to two
other investigations carried out by other scientists.

The conclusion reached by the scientists was as follows:

The optimal daily protein needed for maximal increase in Muscle Protein Synthesis is 20 g.

3.2.1 State the:

(a) Dependent variable (1)
(b) Independent variable (1)
3.2.2 Give TWO reasons why this investigation can be considered reliable. (2)

3.2.3 Calculate percentage increase in MPS from 20 g to 40 g. (3)

3.2.4 Using the data provided, suggest why the scientists’ conclusion stated
that 20’g of protein was the optimal amount of protein needed daily
for increased Muscle Protein Synthesis. (2)

(9)

[20]

TOTAL SECTION B: 40

GRAND TOTAL: 80

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