Life Sciences

Dear Grade 12 learner

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has pleasure in releasing the second edition of the Mind the Gap study guides for Grade 12 learners. These study guides continue the innovative and committed attempt by the DBE to improve the academic performance of Grade 12 candidates in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination.

This Mind the Gap study guide helps you to prepare for the end-of-year CAPS Grade 12 exam. The study guide DOES NOT cover the entire curriculum, but it does focus on core content of each knowledge area and points out where you can earn easy marks.

You must work your way through this study guide to improve your understanding, identify your areas of weakness and correct your own mistakes. To ensure a good pass, you should also cover the remaining sections of the curriculum using other textbooks and your class notes.

The second edition of Mind the Gap is aligned to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). This means that the writers have considered the National Policy pertaining to the programme, promotion requirements and protocols for assessment of the National Curriculum Statement for Grade learners.

The study guides have been designed to assist those learners who have been underperforming due to a lack of exposure to the content requirements of the curriculum and aim to mind-the-gap between failing and passing, by bridging the gap in learners’ understanding of commonly tested concepts, thus helping candidates to pass.

Marking memoranda are available for download to assist learners to build their understanding. Learners are also referred to specific questions from past national exam papers and examination memos that are also available for download.

Mind the Gap team
Series managing editor: Dr Patricia Watson
Production co-ordinators: Lisa Treffry-Goatley and Radha Pillay
Production assistants: Nomathamsanqa Hlatshwayo and Motshabi Mondlane
Authors: Physical Science: Mariaan Bester, Nkosinathi Michael Khathi, Karen Yvonne Kornet, Jenny Koster, Mosala Daniel Leburu, Karen Reynecke, Lerato Mabogatsu Mphachoe, Thabiso Precious Ndaba, Gilberto Izquierdo Rodriguez, Meshack Jabu Sithole, Kumar Kuttan Pillai Suresh, Sehubedu Jerry Tladi
Expert readers: Morongwa Masemolo, Prof Mundslamo Fathuwani, Dr T.D.T Sedumedi, Veena Maharaj, John Ostrowick, Karen van Niekerk
Proofreaders: John Ostrowick, Sehubedu and Angela Thomas
Designers: Sonja McGonigle and Erika van Rooyen
Illustrators: Michele Dean, Vusi Malindi, Khosi Pholosa, John Ostrowick, Kenneth Tekane
Cover illustration: Alastair Findlay
Afrikaans Translation: Johan Steenkamp
Onsite writers’ workshop IT support: Wayne Cussons
Special thanks to Winning Teams, CEO Denzil Hollis, for the organisation’s subject expertise and workshop support.
Winning Teams board game facilitators: Mantse Khoza and Sue Jobson

Copyright © Department of Basic Education 2015
222 Struben Street, Pretoria, South Africa
Contact person: Dr Patricia Watson
Email: watson.p@dbe.gov.za
Tel: (012) 357 4502
www.education.gov.za
Call Centre: 0800202933