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Grade 12 Biology entrance exam, 2008 E.C. (2016)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Biology, as students sat it in 2008 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2008 E.C. (2016)

    Exam year

  • 93 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

Which of the following food types would most likely give a negative result upon addition of iodine solution?

  1. A.Bread
  2. B.Butter
  3. C.Biscuit
  4. D.Potato
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Butter

Why

Iodine solution is used to test for starch, turning blue-black in its presence. Bread, biscuit, and potato are rich in starch, whereas butter is a lipid and does not contain starch, yielding a negative result.

Question 2

Which process produced mRNA during protein synthesis?

  1. A.Translation
  2. B.Replication
  3. C.Mutation
  4. D.Transcription
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Transcription

Why

Transcription is the process by which a specific segment of DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA) by RNA polymerase.

Question 3

What is the molecule in plant cells that first captures the radiant energy from the sun light?

  1. A.ATP
  2. B.DNA
  3. C.Chlorophyll
  4. D.Carbon dioxide
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Chlorophyll

Why

Chlorophyll is the primary photosynthetic pigment located in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts that absorbs sunlight during the light reactions.

Question 4

Of the following functions, which one do triglycerides accomplish in cells?

  1. A.Increase density of tissues and cells
  2. B.Increase thermal insulation of cells
  3. C.Yield limited amount of ATP for cells
  4. D.Facilitate entry of excess water in to cells
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Increase thermal insulation of cells

Why

Triglycerides function as thermal insulators (such as in adipose tissue), energy stores, and shock absorbers; they do not facilitate water entry and yield a very large amount of ATP, not a limited amount.

Question 5

Which of the following laboratory glassware is used for culturing bacteria?

  1. A.Petri-dish
  2. B.Test tube
  3. C.Filter paper
  4. D.Measuring cylinder
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Petri-dish

Why

A Petri dish containing nutrient agar is the standard laboratory equipment used for culturing microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

Question 6

of the following, which one is the main source form which plants get the nutrients necessary for their growth and development?

  1. A.Light
  2. B.Chlorophyll
  3. C.Atmosphere
  4. D.Soil
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Soil

Why

Although plants obtain carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and light energy from the sun, the essential mineral nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are primarily absorbed from the soil through roots.

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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)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)1996 E.C. (2004)

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Are these the real 2008 E.C. Biology entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Biology that students sat in 2008 E.C. (2016). Our set holds 93 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 2008 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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