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Grade 12 Biology entrance exam, 1996 E.C. (2004)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Biology, as students sat it in 1996 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 1996 E.C. (2004)

    Exam year

  • 49 questions with answers

    In this set

Try questions from this paper

Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact place in the textbook, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

Select the type of behavior which is innate.

  1. A.Reflex action
  2. B.Habituation
  3. C.Conditioning
  4. D.Imprinting
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Reflex action

Why

Reflex actions are rapid, involuntary, and automatic responses to stimuli that are fully programmed genetically (innate), unlike habituation, conditioning, and imprinting, which involve learning.

Question 2

Select the field of biology that is concerned with the study of cells.

  1. A.Histology
  2. B.Morpholoyg
  3. C.Cytology
  4. D.Ecology
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Cytology

Why

Cytology is the branch of biology concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells, whereas histology is the study of tissues.

Question 3

Which ecological interaction between two species results in a negative effect on both organisms?

  1. A.Mutualism
  2. B.Competition
  3. C.Predation
  4. D.Neutralism
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Competition

Why

Competition is an interaction where both species are harmed (-/-) because they contend for the same limited resources, such as food, water, or territory.

Question 4

Which cellular structures are responsible for autolysis or self-digestion?

  1. A.Chromosomes
  2. B.Ribosomes
  3. C.Lysosomes
  4. D.Golgi apparatus
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Lysosomes

Why

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris; when a cell is damaged, lysosomes can rupture and digest the entire cell (autolysis).

Question 5

What is the energy currency of the cell?

  1. A.DNA
  2. B.Glucose
  3. C.Starch
  4. D.ATP
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D ATP

Why

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is known as the energy currency of the cell because it stores and releases usable chemical energy for cellular processes.

Question 6

At which stage of cell division do homologous chromosomes line up at the equatorial plane of the cell?

  1. A.Prophase
  2. B.Metaphase
  3. C.Anaphase
  4. D.Telophase
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Metaphase

Why

During metaphase (specifically metaphase I of meiosis), chromosomes align along the cell's equator (metaphase plate) before being separated.

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Biology papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)2015 E.C. (2023)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2012 E.C. (2020)2011 E.C. (2019)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

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Are these the real 1996 E.C. Biology entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Biology that students sat in 1996 E.C. (2004). Our set holds 49 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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Can I download the Biology 1996 E.C. paper as a PDF?

Yes, and it is free. The question paper is one file and the answer key with its worked explanations is another, so you can attempt the paper first. Print them, or keep them on your phone for revision when there is no data.

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