SOUTH AFRICAN AGENCY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT

58th LIFE SCIENCES OLYMPIAD

GRADES 10 -12

2023

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the instructions carefully before answering the questions

______________________________________________________________________________

This is a multiple choice paper. Please answer all the questions on the answer sheet provided. Each question is followed by answers marked
A, B, C, and D. Only one answer is correct. Choose the correct answer and shade the corresponding circle on the answer sheet completely,
using an HB pencil.

NB! The answer sheets are marked electronically – do not make any other dots or marks on the answer sheet. Select only one answer for
each question or your answer will be discarded. Ensure that you shade your selection clearly.

Note that the question numbers 1 to 100 on the answer sheet moves from top to bottom in several columns. Ensure that the number of your
selection on the answer sheet corresponds with the number of the question in your examination paper. Should you make a mistake, please
erase the incorrect answer completely

The use of non-programmable electronic calculators is permitted.

To avoid disqualification - You are required to complete all the information requested on the answer sheet. Please complete the information
in script, as well as shade the corresponding blocks. If the corresponding blocks are not shaded appropriately, your results will be returned
without a name and you will be disqualified. Do not fold the answer sheets.

Three hours are allowed to answer the questions

 58th LIFE SCIENCES OLYMPIAD

1. The basic unit of life is a A As the tide rises water moves away from the shore. This
A nucleus is called a flood current.
B cell B As the tide recedes water moves away from the shore.
C zygote This is called an ebb current
D nucleolus C As the tide rises water moves toward the shore. This is
called an ebb current.
QUESTIONS 2 AND 3 are based on the diagram below D As the tide recedes water moves toward the shore. This
which represents a food chain in a garden. is called an ebb current

5. The size of the elephant’s ears is especially

important to …

2. The blackbird in the diagram is a

A predator
B herbivore
C producer
D primary consumer

3. If all the greenflies in this garden were removed,

what would happen to the population of ladybirds? A cool the body down
B improve hearing
A It will decrease
C balance the large body
B It will stay the same
D protect the head
C It will increase
D Nothing will happen
6. The list below are factors that may affect a habitat:
4. Tides originate in the oceans and progress toward
(i) Mining
the coastlines where they appear as the regular rise
(ii) Poor agricultural practices
and fall of the sea surface.
(iii) Reforestation
The diagram below shows how flood current and
(iv) Urbanisation
ebb current change tidal range.
(v) Conservation

Which combination of the factors can lead to habitat

destruction?

A (i), (ii) and (iv) only

B (iii) and (v) only
C (i), (ii) and (iii) only
D (iii), (iv) and (v) only

7. Transgenic plants are plants that have …

A genes of another organism inside them.

Which ONE of the following statements is CORRECT? B no genes of other organisms inside them.
C many genes with no known functions.
D many genes that code for the same proteins.
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8. Which ONE of the following shows the results when 11. Load shedding (which is caused by an imbalance
a cell with 20 chromosomes undergoes MITOSIS? between electricity available and the demand for it)
is so much part of our daily lives, that it is difficult
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF to imagine how life was before it was introduced to
DAUGHTER CHROMOSOMES us.
CELLS
A 2 20 Why is load shedding done in South Africa?
B 2 10
A To increase reliance on coal fired power plants
C 4 20 B To improve the electricity supplied to all people and
companies
D 4 10
C To ensure efficient operation of all electricity equipment
D To reduce the peak demand for electricity on the
9. Timothy wants to determine the age of a fossil snail. electricity systems
One way to determine the age of a fossil is to use
the rate of decay of carbon-14. The graph below 12. Which of the following is NOT a national symbol of
shows how carbon-14 decays over time. South Africa?

A Blue Crane
B Galjoen
C Springbok
D Rose

13. Which ONE of the following combinations of soil

types shows an INCREASE in the water holding
capacity from left to right?

Soil types
A sand clay loam
B clay sand loam

A fossil snail was found to have 30% of its carbon-14 C sand loam clay
remaining. According to the above graph, Timothy can
D clay loam sand
conclude that the age of the fossil is approximately

A 5 000 years
B 15 000 years
C 10 000 years
D 20 000 years

10. Which of the following will take place in the arm

while lifting food from the plate to the mouth?

A Triceps and biceps contract.

B Triceps contract and biceps relax.
C Biceps and triceps relax.
D Biceps contract and triceps relax.

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14. Scientists carried out an investigation to test the 17. In which part/s of the living organisms below are
effectiveness of four antifungal treatments on fuel molecules broken down to gradually release
preventing the growth of yeast. The results are energy?
shown in the diagram below.

A Z only
Which ONE of the following conclusions can be made B W and X only
from the results? C Z and Y only
D W, X, Y and Z
A All the antifungal treatments are equally effective.
B All the antifungal treatments are ineffective. 18. Jenny is 25 years old, with no children and wants to
C Mycocide is the most effective and Fungisan is the least start using a contraceptive. Which of the following
effective. is NOT the characteristic of an ideal contraceptive
D Fungisan is the most effective and Mycocide is the least for Jenny?
effective.
A Irreversible
15. When green plants photosynthesise, they produce B Easily available
complex organic compounds. This process C User-friendly
involves D Effective with the least side-effects

A radiant energy being converted into kinetic energy. QUESTIONS 19 AND 20 refer to the table below which
B heat energy being converted into and stored as shows the distribution of blood (in ml/min) to different
chemical energy. organs at rest and during strenuous exercise.
C radiant energy being converted into and stored as
chemical energy. ORGAN AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF BLOOD
D chemical energy being converted into and stored as BLOOD AT REST DURING
radiant energy. (ml/min) EXERCISE
(ml/min)

16. Cheryl’s toddler suffers from rickets, which is a Brain 750 750
bone deformity in young children. Which foods Heart 250 850
below could she have included in the diet of her
Skeletal muscle 1 200 12 500
toddler to prevent this disorder?
Skin 500 2 000

Kidney 1 100 650

Abdomen 1 400 650

Other 800 600

A 2
B 3
C 4
D 5

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19. The brain receives 750ml of blood per minute A suitable conclusion that he made is that …
during rest and after exercise. How many cups of
blood is this? ( 1cup = 250 ml ) A growth hormone is not secreted after the age of 50
years.
A 1 B the amount of growth hormone secreted decreases with
B 2 age.
C 3 C the amount of growth hormone secreted increases with
D 4 age.
D the amount of growth hormone secreted is not affected
20. The skeletal muscle receives most blood during by age.
exercise because …
23. A scientist did an investigation on some healthy
A less blood flows to the abdomen during exercise. individuals to determine the effect of drinking water
B the respiration rate of the muscle cells decrease. on urine production.
C the muscle cells need more oxygen to produce more
energy. Which ONE of the following CORRECTLY indicates the
D less blood flows to the kidney during exercise. independent and dependent variables?

21. Which one of the following collections of organisms INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT

can be regarded as a population in the Kruger VARIABLE VARIABLE
National Park? A The amount of urine Time in hours
produced
A Beetles, flies, butterflies, moths
B Grass, buck, lions B The amount of water The amount of urine
C Termites in a termite nest drunk produced
D Plants, Locusts, frogs, snakes
C The amount of urine The amount of water
produced drunk
22. Brian wanted to know the relationship between the
secretion of growth hormone and age. He studied D The people participating Time in hours
the graph below and came to a conclusion.
24. What is the name of Africa’s first cloned animal
which was born in South Africa on 19 April 2003?

A Snuppy the dog

B Got the fighting bull
C Dolly the sheep
D Futhi the cow

25. Which ONE of these is the type of food that is

mainly digested in the human stomach?

A Carbohydrate
B Fatty acid and glycerol
C Nucleic acid
D Protein

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QUESTIONS 26, 27 AND 28 REFER TO THE 26. We can conclude that the hypothesis is …
INVESTIGATION BELOW: A not affected by the results
B supported by the results
Grade 11 learners conducted an investigation to determine C rejected by the results
the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis. D not correctly stated
They formulated a hypothesis as: A decrease in the light
intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis. 27. How was the dependent variable measured in this
They proceeded as follows: investigation?
 Elodea plants were placed under a glass funnel in a
beaker containing water A By the meter scale.
 A test tube containing water with no air bubbles was B By comparing the effects of the different light intensities.
fitted over the glass funnel as shown in the diagram. C By counting the number of bubbles released per
minute.
 After switching off all lights, a lighted table lamp was
D By measuring the distance between Elodea and the
placed one metre away from the beaker.
light source.
 A meter scale was placed between the table lamp and
the beaker. 28. What was the percentage increase in the number of
 The number of air bubbles released by the plant in a bubbles when the light source was shifted from 1 to
one minute period was counted and recorded in the 2 arbitrary units?
table below.
 The above steps were repeated at different light A 250 . 0%
intensities B 71,4%
C 28,6%
Apparatus used to determine the effect of light intensity on D 350 .0%
the rate of photosynthesis
29. The following bones are found in the human body.
Which bones are in the arm?

A Humerus, fibula, tibia, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges

B Radius, ulna, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges
C Humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges
D Tibia, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges

30. The table below compares the rate of extinction of

mammal species over two different time periods.
The table below shows the number of bubbles released by
TIME PERIOD RATE OF EXTINCTION PER
the Elodea plant when different light intensities were placed
(YEARS) 100 YEARS
at the same distance from the plant.
1500-1900 4.5
LIGHT INTENSITY NUMBER OF BUBBLES
1900-2000 90
(ARBITRARY UNITS) GIVEN OFF IN ONE
MINUTE
What is the ratio between the rate of extinction from
1 8
1500 to 1900 compared to the ratio of extinction from
2 28 1900 to 2000?
3 105
A 1:2
4 105 B 1 : 20
C 2:1
D 20 : 1

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QUESTIONS 31 AND 32 ARE BASED ON THE AGES OF 35. The diagram below shows a pyramid of numbers.
PREGNANT WOMEN AND THE CHANCES OF THEM
HAVING MISCARRIAGES.

31. Which ONE of the following is the correct Which ONE of the food chains below is CORRECTLY
relationship between the ages of women and the represented in the diagram?
chances of miscarriage?
A Grass  rabbits  foxes  tiger
A The age of the women has no effect on the chances of B Thorn tree  beetles  lizards  owl
miscarriage C Dead leaves  worms  sparrow  fleas
B The older the women gets the greater the chance of D Grass  cow  ticks  tick-bird
miscarriage
C The older the women gets the lower the chance of QUESTIONS 36 AND 37 REFER TO THE INVESTIGATION
miscarriage AND GRAPH BELOW.
D Younger women have a greater chance of miscarriage
An investigation was done to measure the ozone
32. In a particular month during this investigation concentration and the chlorine levels in Antarctica since
25 500 women fell pregnant. How many in this 1950. The results are shown in the graph below.
particular month, would be aged 28 according to the
data in the table above?

A 4590
B 6120
C 2805
D 6375

33. The monomers of starch, lipids and haemoglobin

are respectively called …

A glucose; fatty acids and glycerol; amino acids

B amino acids; fatty acids and glycerol; glucose
C glucose; amino acids; fatty acids and glycerol
D amino acids; glucose; fatty acids and glycerol
36. Identify the correct caption for the graph.
34. Which of the following is a CORRECT definition of
A Changes in the levels of ozone and chlorine.
meristematic cells?
B Changes in the levels of ozone and chlorine in
Antarctica
A Cells that have a definite nucleus enclosed by a
C Chlorine levels versus ozone concentration
membrane
D Changes in the levels of chlorine and ozone
B Cells that contain three types of plastids
concentrations from 1950 to 1990
C Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to
differentiate to form any cell in a plant
D Cells that divide uncontrollably and continually resulting
in the formation of swellings

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37. In which 10-year period was the ozone depletion the 42. A testable prediction about what you expect to
greatest? happen in a study is …

A Between 1950 and 1960 A a theory

B Between 1960 and 1970 B a hypothesis
C Between 1970 and 1980 C a law
D Between 1980 and 1990 D an observation

38. Which of the following activities will lead to an 43. Which row in the table CORRECTLY pairs a human
INCREASE of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? activity with its impact on the environment?
A Reuse and recycling of shopping bags
HUMAN ACTIVITY IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
B Using public transport or bicycles
C Reforestation A Increase in the human Reduction in water usage
D Deforestation population
B Decrease in the use of Erosion of rock in soil
39. What is the visible glowing surface of the sun pesticides
called?
C Decrease in recycling Reduction in amount of available
A photosphere resources
B atmosphere
D Increase in housing Improvement in air quality
C chromosphere developments
D stratosphere

40. Hoodia gordonii is an indigenous, succulent plant 44. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of nuclear
that has been widely used for generations by the energy?
San people of the Kalahari
A There is plenty uranium in the Earth’s crust.
A as an appetite suppressant and thirst quencher B Nuclear power does not cause acid rain or global
B as a laxative warming.
C to increase the body’s natural resistance to disease C Very little uranium is needed to produce a huge amount
D as a treatment for joint pain caused by arthritis and gout of energy.
D It produces highly toxic radioactive waste, which is
41. The list below is strategies that may affect our stored in thick steel drums.
indigenous plants.
QUESTIONS 45 AND 46 REFER TO THE
I Education campaigns on the impact and consequences PHYLOGENETIC TREE/CLADOGRAM BELOW.
of over-exploitation
II Any number of plants can be harvested
III Limit the size of the plants harvested
IV Legislation to control harvesting
V Do not replace harvested plants
VI No permit required to harvest plants

Which combination of strategies will prevent an over-

exploitation of our indigenous plants like the Hoodia
gordonii, in South Africa?

A I, III and IV only

B I, IV and VI only
C I, III and V only
D II, IV and VI only
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45. How long ago did the FIRST seed-bearing plants 49. Study the list of evolutionary events below that took
arise on earth? place on the Earth:

A 100 MYA I Rapid evolution and spread of mammals

B 450 MYA II Photosynthetic bacteria (prokaryotes) evolved
C 550 MYA III Unicellular eukaryotic organisms evolved
D 350 MYA IV Accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere

46. Which letter on the phylogenetic tree represents The correct sequence of events from the earliest to the
evolution of fruit bearing organism? latest that took place is …

A B A IV, II, I and III

B A B I, II, III and IV
C E C IV, III, II and I
D C D II, IV, III and I

47. Kyra had a COVID-19 vaccine. The diagram below QUESTIONS 50 AND 51 REFER TO THE GRAPH AND
illustrates activities taking place in her body after TABLE BELOW:
her vaccination.

Based on the diagram, the vaccination stimulated her

body to produce more of …
Table of oxygen requirements of different organisms in
A structure A only. a river
B structure B only.
C structures A and C only.
D structures A, B and C.

48. The amount of light emitted by an object in a unit of

time is known as …

A radiation 50. The above graph indicates that at a temperature of

B luminosity 15oC, the river’s levels of dissolved oxygen in g/L
C convection would be …..
D starlight
A between 6 and 8
B between 8 and10
C between 8 and 12
D between 4 and 6

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51. Due to the release of water from a factory, the 54. The table below shows differences between plant
temperature of water in a stream is 300C. Two and animal cells. Which comparison is
organisms that are likely to be found living in the INCORRECT?
stream are
PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
A striped bass and blue crab
A Large vacuole Small or no vacuole
B worms and clams
C worms and spot fish B Cell membrane present No cell membrane
D yellow perch and spot fish
C Cellulose cell wall No cellulose cell wall
52. The diagram below shows how an enzyme present
functions. D Chloroplasts present No chloroplasts

55. When DNA evidence is used in a court of law it is

called …

A transcription
Labels P, Q, R and T are respectively the … B forensics
C replication
A Enzyme, product, enzyme-substrate complex and D genetic engineering
substrates.
B Product, enzyme, substrate and enzyme-substrate 56. Why does a teenage boy need more protein in his
complex diet than an adult male?
C Substrate, enzyme, product and enzyme-substrate
complex. A The boy must prevent a deficiency disease called
D Enzyme, substrate, enzyme-substrate complex and ketosis .
products. B The boy is still growing and needs the amino acids for
muscle development.
53. Thorn decides to test the effect of the salt C Adult males have more lean muscles than teenage
concentration on the activity of his tropical sea fish. boys
He has two tanks. One he fills with normal sea water D The boy must prevent bone damage.
and the other with a mixture of 80% sea water and
20% fresh water. 57. What is the smallest planet in the solar system by
mass?
His procedure was as follows:
A Mercury
I Conducted the investigation and recorded the results. B Jupiter
C Mars
II Decided on date, time and place to do the investigation. D Earth
III Repeated the investigation five times.
IV Decided on the factors that need to be kept constant.

Which combinations of the procedure are considered as

planning steps?

A II and IV only
B III and IV only
C I, II and III only
D I and II only

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58. The diagram below shows the human heart. Use

ALL the NUMBERS to show the
CORRECT sequence of blood circulation through
the heart.

A rate of heartbeat decreases.

B blood pressure drops.
C level of blood glucose increases.
D blood flow to the skin increases.
A 4, 6, 2, 1, 3, 5
B 2, 6, 4, 5, 3, 1 QUESTIONS 62 AND 63 REFER TO THE PRODUCTION
C 1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6 OF INSULIN AS DESCRIBED BELOW.
D 3, 5, 1, 2, 6, 4
Scientists are using biotechnology to produce human
59. There is a lung condition that causes shortness of insulin. A ring of DNA (plasmid) is taken from a bacterial
breath and one of the factors that increase your risk cell to produce insulin. The steps which follow are NOT
of developing this condition is smoking. in the correct sequence.

This lung disease is known as … 1. The gene for insulin is removed from a cell of a human
pancreas.
A asthma 2. The bacteria make clones of them and produce insulin.
B emphysema 3. The insulin gene is put into the bacterial plasmid and
C bronchitis into a new bacterial cell.
D cystic fibrosis 4. The bacterial plasmid is cut using enzymes.

60. Desert biomes have low, sparse vegetation. Plants 62. Name the disorder that is treated using the insulin
there are structurally suited for water conservation. produced by bacteria.

Which THREE of the following leaf modifications are A Diabetes

effective ways in which these plants conserve water? B Osteoporosis
C Hypertension
I Large, broad leaves D Osteonecrosis
II Thin cuticles
III Thick, waxy cuticles 63. The CORRECT sequence of the steps to produce
IV Hairy leaves insulin is …
V Small or no leaves
A 3, 2, 4, 1
A I, II and IV B 4, 1, 3, 2
B I, III and IV C 4, 2, 1, 3
C II, IV and V D 3, 1, 4, 2
D III, IV and V
64. Which of the statements regarding the washing
powder in the advertisement below is CORRECT?
61. What will the effect on the body be in the event
shown in the diagram?
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AN ADVERTISEMENT QUESTIONS 66, 67 AND 68 refer to the graph below

BIO-CLASSIC WASHING POWDER The graph shows the body temperatures of a lizard, a
rabbit and the environment.

ENZYME ACTIVE 66. Why is the rabbit classified as an endothermic

animal?

Gets rid of the most stubborn

protein stains!

SAVE ELECTRICITY!
Wash in cold water
(Max. 200C)

TAKE CARE!
A It can maintain a constant body temperature.
Do not use in acidic water B It cannot maintain a constant body temperature
C Its body temperature fluctuates with the external
environmental temperature.
D At low temperatures it is less active.
This washing powder …
67. What was the increase in temperature of the lizard
A will remove blood and meat stains between 7:00 and 9:00?
B will function effectively in boiling water
C function best at a low pH A 2.50C
D will increase the activation energy of the process B 350C
C 360C
65. Players from Ajax Cape Town soccer team usually D 32.50C
get very tired in the last twenty minutes of their
matches when they play Kaizer Chiefs in Gauteng. 68. What behaviour pattern does the lizard exhibit early
The correct reason why they become tired is … morning when the environmental temperature is
low? It will make its skin …
(Hint: Cape Town is at the coast and Gauteng is at a
higher altitude) A darker in colour and bask in the sun.
B lighter in colour and crawl beneath a rock.
A there is less haemoglobin at higher altitudes. C darker in colour and crawl beneath a rock.
B the partial pressure of oxygen lowers at higher altitudes D lighter in colour and bask in the sun.
C the atmospheric pressure increases at higher altitudes.
D haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen at higher 69. The sequence of the phases of MITOSIS is …
altitudes.
A metaphase, prophase, anaphase, telophase
B prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase
C telophase, prophase, anaphase, metaphase
D prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

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70. The diagram below is a transverse section of a 73. A total blood pressure reading is determined by
yellow wood tree. measuring the systolic and diastolic blood
pressures.
A person with high blood pressure or hypertension
may have a …

A systolic blood pressure of 120mmHg and diastolic

pressure of 80mmHg.
B systolic blood pressure less than 120mmHg or diastolic
pressure less than 80mmHg.
C systolic blood pressure more than 140mmHg or
diastolic pressure more than 90mmHg.
D systolic blood pressure of 125mmHg and diastolic
pressure of 85mmHg.

74. Which of the following two-word items mean the

same thing?
The approximate age of the tree is …
A Leukemia - Haemophilia
A 7 years B Atrionector - Sino-Atrial node
B 8 years C Osteoporosis - Osteomalacia
C 10 years D Artherosclerosis – Arthritis
D 12 years
75. Radiation treatment works by making small breaks
71. Study the statements on sexual reproduction in the DNA inside cells.
below: Identify an INCORRECT statement:
These breaks prevent cancer cells from …
I Offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
II Offspring are genetically different from each other. A growing
III Only one individual is required for reproduction. B dividing
IV Increases chances of survival. C multiplying
D dying
Which combination of the above statements represent
an advantage of sexual reproduction? 76. Sipho became ‘antibiotic resistant’ after abusing
antibiotics for a few years. What does it mean?
A I and III only
B II and III only A It means his body became resistant to the antibiotic.
C II and IV only B It means the bacteria in his body became resistant to
D II, III and IV only the antibiotic.
C It means the viruses in his body became resistant to the
72. Fracking involves pumping large amounts of water antibiotic.
underground at high pressure. This is used to get D It means his antibodies became resistant to the
oil and gas from under the ground. antibiotic.
Environmentalists are concerned because …

A domestic production through fracking reduces foreign

reliance on energy products.
B much of the fracking process uses natural materials.
C it can have negative impacts on communities and local
habitats.
D technologies exist to capture potential emissions.

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77. The blood that leaves the kidneys differs from the QUESTIONS 81 AND 82 REFER TO THE INFORMATION
blood that enters the kidneys in that … ABOUT WILD SUNFLOWER.

A it has more nitrogenous waste, more oxygen and less Sunflower has been cultivated (grown) by humans over
carbon dioxide. several generations. During that time, certain
B it has less nitrogenous waste, less oxygen and more characteristics were artificially selected. A comparison
carbon dioxide. of some of the characteristics of wild sunflowers and
C it has more nitrogenous waste, less oxygen and more cultivated sunflowers is given in the table below.
carbon dioxide.
D it has less nitrogen waste, more oxygen and less
carbon dioxide.

78. Global warming has resulted in the following

change to the climate:

A A drop in sea levels and coastal flooding.

B Increased the biodiversity. 81. A possible reason for selecting sunflowers with a
C Frequent flooding and prolonged droughts. greater fruit weight is to
D Increased the production of different types of food.
A provide a greater yield of seeds.
79. Which one of these is NOT an advantage of fish B improve the chances of fertilisation.
species spawning at different times of the year? C have genetic variation.
D allow the plant to grow taller.
A It does not promote genetic diversity.
B There is less crowding of the young. 82. Below are possible reasons for selecting each
C There is less competition for food among larvae. characteristic:
D There are different foods available at different times of
the year. I A larger leaf area increases the rate of
photosynthesis.
80. Mazda is producing hydrogen fuel vehicles for II A shorter plant will result in more effective
commercial use. Which of the following statements harvesting.
is NOT correct about the use of hydrogen as a fuel? III A larger flower will increase yield.
IV More branches will increase flower yield.
A It is very expensive and time-consuming to produce
hydrogen. Which combination gives the CORRECT reasons for the
B There are no poisonous emissions from the hydrogen characteristics selected?
fuel cell.
C It requires processes like electrolysis of water for its A I, II, III and IV
production. B II and III only
D It is a very safe fuel to burn. C I, II and III only
D I and IV only

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83. The graphs below show the effect of two antibiotics, 86. To which blood group are members described as
P and Q on two different species of bacteria, R and universal donors?
S.
A Group AB
B Group A
C Group B
D Group O

87. Shrubs of the Proteaceae (for example waratahs

and proteas) can be found in Australia, South
America, Indo-China and parts of Africa. The
diagrams below show the distribution of members
of the Protea family.

What conclusion can be drawn from the graphs?

A Bacteria R is less resistant to antibiotic P than Q.

B Bacteria R is more resistant to antibiotic P than Q.
C Bacteria S is less resistant to antibiotic Q than P.
D Antibiotic P is equally effective on bacteria R and S.

84. The animal represented below has the following

characteristics:

The CORRECT biological term for the study of the

distribution of species is called …

A evolution
B biogeography
C continental drift
D modification by descent

88. The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of a

A Bilateral symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate with an person’s mass in relation to their height. To
exoskeleton. calculate a person’s BMI, divide their weight (kg) by
B Radial symmetrical, diploblastic, acoelomate with a the square of their height (m2).
hydrostatic skeleton.
C Bilateral symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate with an A person is classified as underweight if they have a BMI
endoskeleton. below 18. A person with a BMI of 18 to 25 is seen as
D Radial symmetrical, diploblastic, acoelomate with an having a normal weight. A person is considered to be
exoskeleton. overweight if they have a BMI between 25 and 30, and
obese if their BMI is over 30.
85. An investigation is reliable if …
Benjy is 1.70m tall and weighs 85kg. According to the
A all the fixed variables are kept constant information given he is classified as being …
B it is neither too long nor too difficult to do
C it does not have any content that wasn’t taught A underweight
specifically in the classroom B of normal weight
D it is repeated many times and the average calculated C overweight
D obese

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89. Fossil fuels are similar to each other in that they all Which one of the following combinations is most
… favourable?
A were originally formed in marine environments.
B contain the element carbon. A I, II and III
C have undergone the same set of geological processes B II, III and IV
during their formation. C I, III and IV
D represent the remains of one living organism. D II and IV

90. The graph below shows the hearing frequencies of 93. The diagram below represents part of the digestive
different animals and humans. system in humans.

Why do domestic animals often respond to noises that

humans cannot hear?
Identify the LETTER of the organ that breaks down alcohol
and heroin.
A They are smaller than humans.
B They can run faster than humans.
A W
C They can hear lower frequency sounds than humans.
B X
D They can hear higher frequency sounds than humans.
C Z
D Y
91. Rabies is a viral disease spread to people by
infected animals. A person bitten by an infected
94. Can multicellular organisms rely on diffusion alone
animal should be given an injection containing for transport and exchange of substances?
specific antibodies.
Following the injection, the person should have … A No, because large sizes of multicellular organisms
result in a small surface area to volume ratio.
A artificial, active immunity B No, because large sizes of multicellular organisms
B natural, passive immunity result in a large surface area to volume ratio
C artificial, passive immunity C Yes, because large sizes of multicellular organisms
D natural, active immunity result in a small surface area to volume ratio
D Yes, because large sizes of multicellular organisms
92. The following conditions are proposed as being result in a large surface area to volume ratio
favourable for the formation of fossils.
I Organism should have a hard skeleton or shell
II Micro-organisms must be present
III The dead body must be covered by sediment fairly
quickly
IV Little or no oxygen must be present

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 58th LIFE SCIENCES OLYMPIAD

QUESTIONS 95 AND 96 REFER TO THE 97. Where does pollination and fertilisation take place
EFFECTIVENESS OF POST in Diagram 2?
EXPOSURE PROPHYLACTIC (PEP) DRUGS.
Pollination Fertilisation
PEP drugs can be taken after exposure to HIV to prevent
A F C
the virus from developing in a person.
B C F
The following table shows how effective Post Exposure
Prophylactic (PEP) drugs are, if taken after different C C E
periods of exposure to the HI virus. D E C

Period of exposure 0 24 72 76 96
(hours) 98. Why are these flowers NOT pollinated by the wind?

Effectiveness (%) 100 100 52 0 0 A The petals are too large.

B The filaments are not hanging outside the flower.
95. A nurse was accidently pricked by the injection C The stigmas are too small.
needle containing the blood of a HIV positive D The stigmas are not feathery.
person. How effective would the PEP drugs be if
she takes it 7 hours after exposure to the HI virus? 99. Which one of the following statements is TRUE
regarding organ donation in South Africa?
A 100%
B 0% A People 65 years and older cannot be an organ donor.
C 52% B Potential donor must register with the Oran donation
D 50% foundation of South Africa
C. You can pay to be ranked in a higher position on the
96. Lebo touched the blood of an injured rugby player organ transplant list.
with his bruised bare hands last Friday afternoon. D If you are registered as an organ donor, doctors will not
On the advice of his parents he decided to see the work as hard to save your life so that they can use your
family doctor, but he only did so on the following organs for transplant.
Tuesday. How effective will the PEP drug be?
100. A good workout in the gym can make you feel great
A 100% physically and emotionally, in part because of ‘feel
B 50% good’ hormones released by our nervous system.
C 52% These hormones include …
D 0%
A endorphins
QUESTIONS 97 AND 98 REFER TO THE TWO FLOWERS B steroids
BELOW. C prostaglandins
D leptins

~ End~

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