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LIFE SCIENCES
GRADE 12

BIOLOGICAL TERMS TEST AND

SOLUTIONS

ADAPTED BY MR S.J SILAULE

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PAPER 1

Terminology

Rules for terminology questions:

1. Spelling errors - If recognizable, accept the answer, provided it does not mean

something else in Life Sciences or if it is out of context

2. If common names are given in terminology Accepted, provided it was accepted at the

national memo discussion meeting.

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Human impact

1. Organisms that occupy an area they do not normally inhabit and where they

outcompete the natural species of that area

2. The variety of species of living organisms that exist on Earth

3. The variety of life forms that exist on Earth

4. The control of a pest by using another kind of organism/species

5. Measurement of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions of an individual, a

defined population or a company per year

6. Refers to the long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area

7. The effect caused by pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which pollute the water in

rivers, dams and lakes

8. An increase in the level of nutrients in dams and lakes that leads to increased micro-

organism activity and a decrease in the availability of oxygen

9. Having access to enough food on a daily basis to ensure healthy living

10. The natural process by which the Earth’s atmosphere traps some of the Sun's energy,

warming the Earth enough to support life

11. Growing the same species of crop on a farm year after year

12. A layer in the atmosphere that is damaged by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

13. The illegal killing or removal of organisms from their environments

14. The use of resources in such a way that they are still available for future generations

15. The type of pollution caused when water is released into a river after being heated in

power stations or industries

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Human reproduction

1. The type of development in birds where the young are practically fully developed and

immediately mobile when they are hatched

2. The formation of ova from the germinal epithelial cells through the process of meiosis

3. A behavioural pattern where the parents spend time and energy on the feeding and

protection of their offspring

4. The process whereby the embryo becomes attached to the endometrial wall of the

uterus

5. The blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood to the foetus

6. The period during which the embryo develops within the uterus of the mother up to the

time the baby is born

7. Three-month-old human embryo

8. The membrane that forms finger-like projections which grows into the uterine wall

9. The liquid that protects the embryo against mechanical injury and dehydration

10. Structure in the sperm cell containing enzymes that break down the membrane of the

ovum

11. The release of an ovum from a follicle

12. The tube that transports the sperm from the testis to the urethra

13. A hormone produced in females to stimulate milk production

14. The structure formed from the Graafian follicle after ovulation

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15. The process by which sperms and eggs are produced

16. The organ in human males in which meiosis occurs

17. The meiotic process by which female gametes are formed in humans

18. The blood vessel in the umbilical cord which is rich in oxygen and nutrients

19. The lower neck of the uterus that opens into the vagina

20. The outermost extra-embryonic membrane surrounding the embryo

21. The hormone that regulates the salt concentration in the human body

22. A fluid containing sperm cells

23. A stage in the development of humans in which the embryo consists of a layer of cells

surrounding a cavity

24. The gland in the male reproductive system of humans that produces an alkaline fluid to

counteract the acid environment of the vagina

25. The hormone produced by the Graafian follicle

26. The hormone responsible for the formation of the corpus luteum

27. The type of fertilisation associated with viviparous reproduction

28. A type of reproduction in humans where the foetus develops inside the uterus

29. The stage in humans when sexual maturity is reached in males and females

30. The diploid cell formed by the process of fertilisation

31. A hormone that stimulates the maturation of sperm

32. The structure in the amniotic egg that stores wastes

33. The inner lining of the uterus where implantation of the embryo occurs

34. Part of the female reproductive system where fertilisation occurs

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35. A type of fertilisation in which the nucleus of a sperm fuses with the nucleus of an ovum

outside the body of the female

36. A type of egg where the embryo develops inside a fluid-filled sac which is surrounded by

a shell

37. A hormone that stimulates the development of the corpus luteum

38. The place where young immature sperm cells are temporarily stored in males until they

mature

39. An early stage embryo consisting of a solid ball of cells

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Responding to the environment (humans)

1. Nerve fibres that conduct nerve impulses away from the cell body of a neuron

2. A functional (physiological), but not direct, connection between two successive neurons

3. A disorder that occurs when one’s own immune system surrounds, attacks and destroys

the myelin sheath that envelops the axons

4. The membranes which protect the central nervous system

5. The nervous system which consists of cranial and spinal nerves

6. A branch of the autonomic nervous system that decreases the heartbeat back to normal

7. The cells, in the retina of the eye that are sensitive to light

8. The tube that connects the middle ear to the throat cavity to ensure that the pressure

on either side of the tympanic membrane is kept constant

9. Defect of the eye due to a clouding of the eye’s normal, clear, transparent lens, affecting

acuity of vision

10. A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus

11. The structure, within the cochlea, responsible for the conversion of a sound stimulus

into an impulse

12. Microscopic space between two consecutive neurons

13. The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord

14. Neurons that carry impulses from receptors

15. The watery fluid that supports the cornea and the front chamber of the eye

16. The receptors in the ear that detect changes in the direction and speed of any

movement of the body

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17. The series of changes that take place in the shape of the lens and the eyeball in

response to the distance of an object from the eye

18. A change in the internal or external environment that will be detected by a receptor and

converted into an impulse

19. Small tubes placed in the tympanic membrane to drain liquid from the middle ear

20. Part of the human ear that directs sound waves into the auditory canal

21. A part of the neuron that conducts impulses towards the cell body

22. The part of the brain that controls the heart rate

23. The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary actions

24. A disorder of the eye caused by the curvature of the lens or cornea being uneven,

resulting in distorted images

25. The structure that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing

communication between them

26. The nerve that carries impulses from the retina to the brain

27. A part of the retina where no photoreceptors are found

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Human endocrine system and homeostasis

1. A disease in which the hormonal control of blood glucose is defective because of a

deficiency of insulin

2. A phenomenon where an increase in one hormone inhibits the secretion of another

hormone

3. The increase of the internal diameter of blood vessels so that more blood flows through

them

4. The maintenance of a constant internal environment in living organisms

5. The maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body within certain limits

6. A hormone which stimulates the secretion of thyroxin

7. The hormone responsible for osmoregulation

8. The hormone that controls the concentration of water in the blood

9. The hormone that increases the basic metabolic rate

10. A gland of the digestive system that is both endocrine and exocrine

11. The gland responsible for the production of the growth hormone

12. The hormone which increases the absorption of glucose by the cells

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Responding to the environment (Plants)

1. A plant growth hormone that stimulates seed germination

2. The movement of part of a plant in response to gravity

3. The plant growth hormone that promotes seed dormancy

Meiosis

1. Structures found only in animal cells that form the spindle during cell division

2. The phase in the cell cycle when DNA replication occurs

3. The point where two chromatids overlap during prophase I

4. The phase of meiosis where individual chromosomes arrange themselves on the

equator of the spindle

5. The structure holding two chromatids together in a chromosome

6. The structure in an animal cell that gives rise to spindle fibres during cell division

7. The type of cell division that occurs in the production of gametes

8. Chromosome condition describing the presence of two sets of chromosomes in a cell

9. The phase of meiosis where the two chromosomes of each homologous pair are pulled

to

10. the opposite pole

11. Chromosome condition of a cell which has only a single set of chromosomes

12. The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are attached to each other

13. The division of cytoplasm that occurs after a cell nucleus has divided

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14. The exchange of genes between homologous chromosomes that brings about variation

15. Type of cell division during which the chromosome number does not change

16. Failure of one or more chromosomes to separate during meiosis

17. Similar structures that descend from a common ancestor

18. The phase during which DNA replicates prior to cell division

19. The defect in cell division that leads to Down syndrome

20. The structure that is made up of two chromatids joined by a centromere

21. A pair of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, that have the same genes at

the same loci

22. Chromosomes that carry the same set of gene

23. The structure responsible for pulling chromosomes to the poles of an animal cell during

cell division

24. Structures in different organisms that have a similar basic plan which suggests that they

share a common ancestor

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Human impact Reproduction Responding to the environment

1. Precocial development (humans)
1. Alien species 2. Oogenesis 1. Axon
2. Biodiversity 3. Altricial development 2. Synapse
3. Biodiversity 4. Implantation 3. Multiple sclerosis
4. Biological control 5. Umbilical vein 4. Meninges
5. Carbon footprint 6. Gestation period 5. Peripheral Nervous System
6. Climate 7. Foetus 6. Parasympathetic nervous
7. Eutrophication 8. Chorionic villi system
8. Eutrophication 9. Amniotic fluid 7. Photoreceptors
9. Food security 10. Acrosome 8. Eustachian tube
10. Greenhouse effect 11. Ovulation 9. Cataract
11. Monoculture 12. Vas deferens 10. Reflex action
12. Ozone 13. Prolactin 11. Organ of Corti
13. Poaching 14. Corpus luteum 12. Synapse
14. Sustainable use/ 15. Gametogenesis 13. Peripheral Nervous System
sustainability 16. Testis/testes 14. Sensory neuron
15. Thermal pollution 17. Oogenesis 15. Aqueous humour
18. Umbilical vein 16. Cristae
19. Cervix 17. Accommodation
20. Chorion 18. Stimulus
21. Aldosterone 19. Grommet
22. Semen 20. Pinna
23. Blastocyst 21. Dendrites
24. Prostate gland 22. Medulla oblongata
25. Oestrogen 23. Autonomic Nervous system
26. Luteinising hormone / LH 24. Astigmatism
27. Internal fertilisation 25. Corpus callosum
28. Vivipary 26. Optic nerve
29. Puberty 27. Blind spot
30. Zygote
31. Testosterone
32. Allantois
33. Endometrium
34. Fallopian tube
35. External fertilisation
36. Amniotic egg
37. Luteinising Hormone /LH

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38. Epididymis
39. Morula

Human endocrine system Responding to the environment (Plants) Meiosis

and homeostasis 1. Gibberellins 1. Centrioles
1. Diabetes mellitus 2. Gravitropism/ Geotropism 2. Interphase
2. Negative feedback 3. Abscisic acid 3. Chiasma/Chiasmata
3. Vasodilation 4. Metaphase II
4. Homeostasis 5. Centromere
5. Homeostasis 6. Centriole
6. Thyroid Stimulating 7. Meiosis
Hormone /TSH 8. Diploid
7. Antidiuretic 9. Anaphase 1
Hormone/ADH 10. Haploid
8. Antidiuretic 11. Centromere
Hormone / ADH 12. Cytokinesis
9. Thyroxin 13. Crossing over
10. Pancreas 14. Mitosis
11. Pituitary gland 15. Non-disjunction
/hypophysis 16. Homologous structure
12. Insulin 17. Interphase
18. Non-disjunction
19. Chromosome
20. Homologous chromosomes
21. Homologous chromosomes
22. Spindle fibre/thread
23. Homologous structure

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PAPER 2

Terminology

DNA code of life

1. The analysis of DNA samples to identify individuals or relationships between

individuals
2. The sugar found in RNA
3. The process during which a DNA molecule makes an exact copy of itself
4. The shape of the twisted strands of DNA
5. The phase of protein synthesis during which information is copied from DNA to
mRNA
6. The bonds between two nitrogenous bases
7. The process of making new DNA from existing DNA
8. A type of nucleic acid on which is located the anti-codon for protein synthesis
9. Monomers/Building blocks of a nucleic acid
10. The natural shape of the DNA molecule
11. The triplet of bases found in a tRNA molecule
12. The stage in the process of the formation of a protein determined by the codons
in the mRNA
13. The bonds formed between amino acids
14. Openings in the nuclear membrane that allow mRNA to leave the nucleus
15. The organelle in the cytoplasm which is the site of protein synthesis
16. The type of nucleic acid that carries a specific amino acid
17. The stage of protein synthesis during which mRNA forms from DNA
18. The type of sugar found in a DNA molecule
19. Nitrogenous base found only in RNA molecules

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Genetics

1. The 22 pairs of chromosomes in the human karyotype that is not associated with
gender
2. Alternate forms of a gene situated on corresponding positions of homologous
chromosomes and influencing the same characteristic
3. The use of technology to change the genetic structure of an organism
4. The appearance of an organism because of its genetic make-up
5. Changes in the structure of DNA that might be harmful or beneficial
6. Specific lengths of DNA which carry the codes for characteristics of organisms
7. The biotechnological production of genetically identical offspring
8. An allele that does not influence the phenotype when found in the heterozygous
condition
9. The manipulation of the genetic material of an organism to get desired changes
10. A sex-linked disorder that affects the photoreceptors in the eye
11. The law that describes how alleles are separated from one another during the
formation of gametes
12. A genotype consisting of different alleles for a specific trait at a given locus
13. Chromosomes other than the sex chromosomes
14. All the genes of a particular species
15. A genetic cross involving only one characteristic
16. Unspecialised cells which are capable of giving rise to any other cells of the same
organism
17. The disease caused by uncontrolled division of cells
18. An individual that has one dominant and one recessive allele for a particular
characteristic
19. A genetic cross in which both alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype
20. The physical and functional expression of a gene
21. Chromosomes that are not responsible for sex determination

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22. A genetic disorder characterised by the absence of a blood clotting factor

23. An inherited disease that affects haemoglobin and changes the shape of red
blood corpuscles
24. The genetic make-up of an organism in respect of the alleles it possesses
25. The number, shape and arrangement of all the chromosomes in the nucleus of a
somatic cell
26. The type of inheritance which expresses a third phenotype for a particular trait
27. The condition that results from the absence of skin pigmentation
28. A genetic cross involving two characteristics
29. The type of inheritance where the dominant allele masks the expression of the
recessive allele in the heterozygous condition
30. A human disorder caused by non-disjunction of chromosome pair 21
31. A genetic cross involving two different characteristics
32. A diagram showing the inheritance of genetic disorders over many generations

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General evolution

1. The theory that describes evolution as consisting of long periods of little/no

change alternating with short periods of rapid change
2. Formation of a new species when a physical barrier has divided a population
3. The study of fossils
4. An explanation for something that has been observed in nature, and which can
be supported by facts, laws and tested hypothesis
5. A diagram that shows possible evolutionary relationships between groups of
organisms
6. The process which results in all the individuals of a particular species dying out
7. Organisms that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
8. Differences among organisms of the same species
9. The remains or traces of prehistoric life preserved in rocks of the Earth's crust
10. The deliberate breeding of organisms for desirable characteristics selected by
humans
11. Fossil species that have some traits of two different groups of organisms that are
thought to be related
12. The breaking up of Pangaea to form different land masses
13. A variable that is manipulated during an investigation
14. A group of organisms of the same species in a specific habitat
15. The type of variation in a population with no intermediate phenotypes
16. A testable statement that may be accepted or rejected
17. Type of variation within a population in which there is a range of intermediate
phenotypes
18. The process that enables organisms with desirable characteristics to survive and
reproduce, whereas organisms with undesirable characteristics die

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Human evolution

1. An opening on primate skulls through which the spinal cord passes

2. The ability of an organism to walk on two feet
3. The type of vision shared by apes and humans that allows for depth perception
4. The family to which humans belong
5. The hypothesis which supports migration of human ancestors from the point of origin
6. The genus of the fossil 'Little Foot'
7. The first Homo species to use tools
8. The condition of having protruding jaws

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DNA code of life Genetics General evolution Human evolution

1. DNA profiling 1. Autosomes 1. Punctuated 1. Foramen magnum
2. Ribose 2. Allele equilibrium 2. Bipedalism
3. DNA replication 3. Genetic engineering 2. Geographic isolation 3. Stereoscopic vision
4. Double helix 4. Phenotype 3. Palaeontology 4. Hominidae
5. Transcription 5. Mutation 4. Theory 5. Out of Africa
6. Weak hydrogen 6. Gene 5. Phylogenetic tree/ hypothesis
bonds 7. Cloning Cladogram 6. Australopithecus
7. DNA replication 8. Recessive allele 6. Extinction 7. Homo habilis
8. Transfer RNA/ 9. Genetic engineering 7. Species 8. Prognathism/prognat
tRNA 10. Colour blindness 8. Variation hous
9. Nucleotides 11. Law of segregation 9. Fossils
10. Double helix 12. Heterozygous 10. Artificial selection/
11. Anti-codon 13. Autosomes Selective breeding
12. Translation 14. Genome 11. Transitional fossils
13. Peptide bond 15. Monohybrid cross 12. Continental drift
14. Nuclear pore 16. Stem cells 13. Independent variable
15. Ribosome 17. Cancer 14. Population
16. Transfer RNA/ 18. Heterozygote/heterozygous 15. Discontinuous
tRNA 19. Co-dominance variation
17. Transcription 20. Phenotype 16. Hypothesis
18. Deoxyribose 21. Autosomes 17. Continuous variation
19. Uracil 22. Haemophilia 18. Natural selection
23. Sickle cell anaemia
24. Genotype
25. Karyotype
26. Incomplete dominance
27. Albinism
28. Dihybrid cross

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29. Complete dominance

30. Down syndrome/Trisomy 21
31. Dihybrid cross
32. Pedigree diagram

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