Gr 12 LIFE SCIENCES REVISION TERM 2 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTIONS
Topic 5: Genetics and Inheritance
Date: 19 July 2021 – 35 minutes
Concepts of inheritance, Monohybrid crosses, Sex determination,
Content:
Sex-linked inheritance
QUESTION 1 (Questions taken from various sources)
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question
number (1.1 to 1.4) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.5 D.
1.1 When a red horse (RR) is crossed with a white horse (WW), the
offspring are all roan (RW = red and white hairs together). This
type of inheritance is known as …
A codominance.
B polygenic inheritance.
C multiple alleles.
D incomplete dominance.
1.2 In mice brown fur coat is dominant to white fur coat. If a
heterozygous brown mouse is mated with a white mouse and 8
offspring are produced, how many would be expected to be white?
A 4
B 8
C 0
D 2
1.3 Which of the following is usually NOT possible for red-
green colour blindness?
A A carrier mother passes the allele on to her daughter.
B A colour-blind father passes the allele on to his
daughter.
C A colour-blind father passes the allele on to his son.
D A carrier mother passes the allele on to her son.
1.4 An extra finger in humans is rare but is due to a dominant
gene. When one parent is normal and the other parent has
Page 1 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
an extra finger but is homozygous for the trait, what is the
chance that their children will be normal?
A 0%
B 25%
C 50%
D 75% (8)
QUESTION 2. (Questions taken from various sources)
Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (2.1 to 2.3) in your ANSWER
BOOK
2.1 Organisms that have two identical alleles for a particular characteristic
2.2 The physical / functional expression of an organism’s genes
2.3 Allele that is only expressed in the homozygous state (3)
QUESTION 3 (Questions taken from various sources)
Indicate whether each of the statements 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 (3.1 to 3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
3.1 Sex chromosomes A Autosomes
B Gonosomes
3.2 Heterozygous condition A Co-dominance
expresses both alleles in B Incomplete dominance
gene pair
3.3 All the genes in all the A Genome
chromosomes of a B Genotype
species
(3x 2) (6)
Page 2 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 4 (GDE, SCE 2018, Paper 2)
Lindiwe has two sons and she is now pregnant for the third time.
Use a genetic cross to show the percentage chance that this child
could be a boy (6)
QUESTION 5 (KZN, Sept. 2018, Paper 2)
A female who is not colour blind but who has one allele for colour blindness
marries a male who is not colour blind.
Use a genetic cross to show all possible genotypes and phenotypes of their
children. Use the alleles N for normal and n for colour-blindness.
(6)
QUESTION 6 (EC, Sept. 2019, Paper 2)
Read the following extract.
6.1 Define a sex-linked disorder. (1)
6.2 According to the extract, when will parents first notice the
changes in the muscles of their child? (1)
6.3 Explain why it is more common for boys to suffer from
Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy than girls? (4)
(6)
Page 3 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
Topic 5: Genetics and Inheritance
Date: 20 July 2021 – 40 minutes
Content: Blood grouping and Dihybrid crosses
QUESTION 1 (Questions taken from various sources)
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1 to 1.4) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.5 D.
1.1 If the mother has blood group AB and the father blood group
O the possible blood groups of the offspring will be ...
A A or B only.
B AB only.
C O only.
D A, B, AB or O.
QUESTIONS 1.2 TO 1.4 ARE BASED ON THE TABLE BELOW:
In a certain plant species, the gene for stem colour assorts independently to
the gene for plant height. The symbols for the alleles of the two genes are
shown below.
STEM COLOUR PLANT HEIGHT
B: black T: tall
b: red t: dwarf
Plant 1 is tall and has a black stem. Plant 1 has a parent that is a dwarf
plant with a red stem.
1.2 Which of the following represents the phenotype of a plant with a
genotype BBtt?
A Tall plant with a black stem
B Dwarf plant with a black stem
C Tall plant with a red stem
D Dwarf plant with a red stem
Page 4 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
1.3 Which of the following is the genotype of plant 1?
A BBTT
B bbtt
C BbTt
D BBTt
1.4 What are the possible gametes of a plant with a genotype of
BbTt?
A BT; BT; bt; bt
B B; b; T; t
C BT; Bt; bT; bt
D B; B; T; T (8)
QUESTION 2. (Questions taken from various sources)
Give the correct biological term for each of the following
descriptions. Write only the term next to the question number (2.1
to 2.3) in your ANSWER BOOK
2.1 A genetic cross involving two characteristics
2.2 The blood type with the genotype ii
2.3 Both alleles of a gene are equally dominant whereby both
alleles express themselves in the phenotype in the
(3)
heterozygous condition
QUESTION 3 (Questions taken from various sources)
Indicate whether each of the statements 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 (3.1 to
3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
3.1 Blood types A Incomplete dominance
B Multiple alleles
3.2 Number of alleles controlling blood A Two
groups B Three
3.3 Law of Mendel that states: alleles of a A Law of segregation
gene for one characteristic segregate B Law of independent
independently of the alleles of a gene assortment
for another characteristic
(3x 2) (6)
Page 5 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 4 (EC, Sept. 2019, Paper 2)
In sheep, the allele for black wool (B) is dominant over the allele for white
wool (b). Similarly, the allele for horns (H) is dominant over the allele for
being hornless (h). A horned sheep with black wool was crossed with a pure
breeding hornless sheep with white wool.
The punnett diagram below shows the result of this cross.
4.1 State why the example above represents a dihybrid cross. (1)
4.2 Give the genotype for the horned sheep with black wool used
in this cross. (1)
4.3 Give the:
(1)
(a) Genotype of offspring X
(b) Phenotype of offspring Y (1)
4.4 If 32 offspring are produced, how many offspring are expected
to have horns and white wool. (2)
(6)
Page 6 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 5 (DBE, Nov. 2020, Paper 2)
There is variation in the characteristics of fur colour and fur texture in
cats.
The table below shows the alleles that control these two
characteristics.
The Punnett square below shows the inheritance of these alleles in a
genetic cross.
5.1 Name the:
(a) Dominant phenotype for fur colour (1)
(b) Recessive phenotype for fur texture (1)
5.2 Give the:
(1)
(a) Genotype of offspring X
(2)
(b) Phenotype of the female parent
(1)
(c) Genotype of the male parent
5.3 State the phenotype that ALL the offspring of this genetic
cross have in common. (1)
(7)
Page 7 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 6 (DBE, Nov. 2020, Paper 2)
A man with blood group AB and a woman who is heterozygous for
blood group B plan to have children.
6.1 How many alleles control the inheritance of blood groups? (1)
6.2 Describe the type of dominance that occurs in the inheritance
of blood group B in the woman. (3)
6.3 Use a genetic cross to show all the possible genotypes and
phenotypes of their children. (6)
(10)
Page 8 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
Topic 5: Genetics and Inheritance
Date: 21 July 2021 – 29 minutes
Content: Genetic lineages/pedigree diagrams and Mutations
QUESTION 1 (EC, Sept. 2019, Paper 2)
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes a build-up of thick sticky
mucus in the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestines.
Study the diagram below of two families that carry the cystic fibrosis gene.
The letters N and n are used to represent the two alleles.
1.1 Define a gene mutation. (1)
1.2 Name the type of diagram shown above. (1)
1.3 How many generations are shown in the diagram? (1)
1.4 Using evidence from the diagram, explain why the gene for
cystic fibrosis is a recessive allele. (3)
1.5 Individual 9 and individual 10 are expecting their second child
X.
(6)
Use a genetic cross to show the percentage chance of them
(12)
having a child with cystic fibrosis
Page 9 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 2 (DBE, Nov. 2020, Paper 2)
Goltz syndrome is a sex-linked genetic disorder. It is caused by a
dominant allele X G .
The diagram below shows the inheritance of Goltz syndrome in a
family.
2.1 Name the type of diagram shown. (1)
2.2 How many:
(a) Females are in this family (1)
(b) Males in the F1-generation have Goltz syndrome (1)
2.3 Give Gabby's genotype. (2)
2.4 Anju and Pilusa have four children. Give the phenotype of (2)
their sons.
2.5 Explain your answer to QUESTION 2.4. (4)
(11)
Page 10 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 3 (EC, Sept. 2017, Paper 2)
Mice may have white fur or black fur. The diagram shows the
inheritance of fur colour in mice
3.1 What is this diagram called? (1)
3.2 How many sets of parents are represented in this diagram? (1)
3.3 Give the phenotype:
(a) Which is dominant (1)
(b) Of individual 9 (1)
3.4 Use the letter A for the dominant allele and a for the recessive
allele to give the genotype of:
(a) 8 (1)
(b) 16 (1)
(6)
Page 11 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
Topic 5: Genetics and Inheritance
Date: 22 July 2021 – 39 minutes
Content: Genetic engineering, Paternity testing, and Genetic links
QUESTION 1 (Questions taken from various sources)
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1 to 1.4) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.5 D.
1.1 Stem cells can be harvested in …
A very young embryos (one to three days old).
B the centre of older embryos (five to fourteen days old).
C certain foetal tissue (e.g. the umbilical cord).
D all the above.
1.2 Study the list below.
1. Endangered species could be preserved.
2. Use of herbicides is reduced.
3. Crop yields are improved.
4. Health impacts on human health is known/or not
known.
Which ONE of the following combinations represents
support for genetic modification?
A 1, 2, 3 and 4
B 1, 2 and 4 only
C 1, 2 and 3 only
D 1, 3 and 4 only
1.3 During cloning, a nucleus is taken from a somatic cell and
introduced into …
A a sperm cell.
B an ovum.
C a zygote.
D another somatic cell.
Page 12 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
1.4 Steps in the process of cloning an organism are provided
below:
(i) The embryo is implanted into the uterus of organism A
(ii) An ovum is removed from organism A
(iii) The nucleus of a donor cell from organism B is inserted
into the
ovum
(iv) The cell is stimulated to divide
Which ONE of the following represents the correct order of
steps?
A (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
B (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
C (ii), (iv), (i), (iii)
D (ii), (iii), (iv), (i) (8)
QUESTION 2. (Questions taken from various sources)
Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (2.1 to 2.3) in your ANSWER
BOOK
2.1 Undifferentiated animal cells that can give rise to specialised cell
2.2 types
The process of producing similar populations of genetically
2.3 identical individuals
(3)
The manipulation of biological processes to satisfy human needs
Page 13 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 3 (Questions taken from various sources)
Indicate whether each of the statements 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 (3.1 to 3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
3.1 Inheritance of A Mother
mitochondrial DNA B Father
3.2 Genetic engineering A Cloning
B GMOs
3.3 Paternity testing A DNA profiling
B Blood grouping
(3x 2) (6)
QUESTION 4 (GDE, Nov. 2020, Paper 2)
A farmer decided to have his best meat-producing bull cloned. The
following steps were used in the process:
• A muscle cell was taken from the bull and the nucleus was removed.
• An ovum was taken from a cow and the nucleus was removed and
discarded.
• The nucleus from the muscle cell was placed in the empty ovum.
• The ovum was given an electric shock to stimulate normal cell
division to produce an embryo.
• The embryo was placed in the uterus of a surrogate cow where it
developed into the clone.
4.1 What is cloning? (1)
4.2 Explain why the nucleus of a muscle cell was used and not the
nucleus of a sperm cell. (2)
4.3 Explain why the nucleus of the ovum was removed. (2)
4.4 State ONE benefit of cloning. (1)
(6)
Page 14 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
QUESTION 5 (EC, Sept. 2017, Paper 2)
The European Corn Borer (ECB) worm is a pest which reduces crop yield of corn
on farms. The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) contains a gene which
causes the production of a poison which kills the ECB worm. In an effort to control
the ECB worm, scientists incorporated the Bt poison gene into a corn plant
resulting in corn plants that produce the same poison. They wanted to investigate
if using the Bt corn would increase crop yields. The scientists conducted the
investigation as follows:
• They planted Bt corn in one field and non Bt corn in another field (the
environmental
conditions for the two fields were exactly the same)
• The European Corn Borer was introduced into the fields
• The plants were grown and harvested after a period of five months
• The average yield of plants was recorded
• The experiment was repeated four times and an average was calculated
The results are shown in the table below.
TABLE SHOWING THE AVERAGE YIELD OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF
CORN PLANTS
5.1 Name the process by which the Bt gene is inserted into corn
to make Bt corn. (1)
5.2 State the hypothesis of this investigation. (2)
5.3 State the:
(a) Independent variable (1)
(b) Dependent variable (1)
5.4 Describe ONE way in which the reliability was ensured in this
investigation. (1)
Page 15 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
5.5 State the conclusion for this investigation. (2)
5.6 Explain ONE benefit to a farmer of using Bt corn. (2)
5.7 On the same set of axes, draw a bar graph to show the
average crop yield of the two varieties of corn plants. (6)
(16)
Page 16 of 16
Gr 12 Term 2 Revision based on Web Lessons from GDE – Topic 5 SUPPORT
