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Learning Objectives
These are the target outcomes that we hope you will be able to do by the end of the module:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of the concept of life
2. Explain how cells carry out functions required for life (include role of energy)
3. Describe the different ways of how plants and animals reproduce
4. Describe the process of genetic engineering
5. Cite evidence of evolution such as homology, DNA/protein sequences, plate tectonics, fossil record, embryology, and artificial selection/agriculture
6. Describe the principles of the ecosystem (interaction and interdependence)
7. Prepare an action plan containing mitigation measures to address current environmental concerns and challenges in the community
Module 4 will focus on the very interesting topic of life sciences!
So first of all… What is life? Where did life come from? How did life begin? Watch this video from PBS and share with us a brief commentary on what you think about what was explained in the video.
Share your answers in the Google Classwork Question 📚
KEY CONCEPT 1
KEY CONCEPT 1
Biologists have identified various traits common to all the living organisms we know of. Although non-living things may show some of these characteristic traits, only living things show all of them. (Khan Academy)
What are these common traits? Check this website to identify them:
But when did life begin? And how are living things the way they are now?
There are several theories on the origins of life. We can basically divide them into two groups:
1) Abiogenesis (or spontaneous generation) – the theory that life came from non-living things
2) Biogenesis – theory that life came from pre-existing life
Experiments were done by scientists to study these theories. Do a brief research on the experiments done by the following:
a. Francesco Redi
b. John Needham
c. Lazzarro Spallanzani
d. Louis Pasteur
What can you conclude based on their experiments?
Life can produce life and this happens through what we call reproduction.
KEY CONCEPT 2
KEY CONCEPT 2
There are two major forms of reproduction: sexual and asexual.
Take some notes from Khan Academy:
How are the two forms of reproduction differentiated in plants and in animals?
What is an example of sexual reproduction in plants?
What animal reproduces asexually?
Describe how fertilization takes place.
What happens to the genes of animals when reproduction happens? Do all animals have the same genes?
KEY CONCEPT 3
KEY CONCEPT 3
Genetics is the study of heredity and genes. An emerging branch of genetics is genetic engineering.
As we advance in technology, the use of genetic engineering is increasing.
Let’s do a review on genetics through the video and website -
KEY CONCEPT 4
KEY CONCEPT 4
Evolution can be described as the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations through a process called natural selection.
Evolution can be described as the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations through a process called natural selection.
There have been evidence gathered by scientists to support the theory of evolution, first formulated by Charles Darwin in 1859, through his book “On the Origin of Species”.
Some of these evidence are based on: homology, DNA/protein sequences, plate tectonics, fossil record, embryology, and artificial selection/agriculture. Try to identify some of them through the videos below.
KEY CONCEPT 5
KEY CONCEPT 5
An ecosystem refers to an interacting group of natural elements and the organisms in a given environment.
An ecosystem refers to an interacting group of natural elements and the organisms in a given environment.
The main components are divided into two:
1) Biotic – consists of living things (consumers and producers)
2) Abiotic – consists of non-living things (sunlight, temperature, water, wind, etc.)
It is also important to understand niche. This is the “position of a species within an ecosystem, describing both the range of conditions necessary for persistence of the species, and its ecological role in the ecosystem.”1
There are countless interactions happening in an ecosystem. For example, there is interaction among the producers, decomposers, consumers and abiotic components.
“Producers use the food that they make and the chemical energy it contains to meet their own needs for building-block molecules and energy so that they can do things such as grow, move, and reproduce. When a consumer comes along and eats a producer, the consumer gets the building-block molecules and the chemical energy that is in the producer’s body. All other life depends on the energy-rich food molecules made by producers – either directly by eating producers, or indirectly by eating organisms that have eaten producers. Not surprisingly, ecologists also have terms that describe where in the food chain a particular consumer operates.” 2
Other examples of interactions in the ecosystem are symbiosis, predation, and competition. What happens in these interactions?
“All organisms in an ecosystem depend upon each other. If the population of one organism rises or falls, then this can affect the rest of the ecosystem.
A simple food chain is:
grass → rabbit → fox
If the foxes in the food chain above were killed, the population of rabbits would increase because they are no longer prey to the foxes. As a result the amount of grass would decrease because the increased population of rabbits would be eating it.
Often very small changes to ecosystems have large consequences, which can be difficult to predict. This means that all the organisms in an ecosystem are dependent upon each other. We call this interdependence.”3
There are different interaction and interdependence happening depending on where the ecosystem is found. On earth, they can either be found on terrestrial or aquatic biomes.
Examples of terrestrial biomes are: tundra, taiga, deciduous forests, grasslands, deserts, and tropical rainforests.
Aquatic biomes would be the marine biome and the freshwater biome.
What biomes can be found in the Philippines? How does this affect the biodiversity in the Philippines? And how are we protecting these species? What are some mitigation measures?
Read more about the ecosystem here:
Below are some additional recommended videos:
LET'S DEEPEN understanding
LET'S DEEPEN understanding
How much did you understand about ecosystems? Test yourself by playing this game:
Note: Please create your Legends of Learning account using your Google Education account.
How does genetics work and how is it related to evolution? Try using this simulation on Natural Selection.
The assessment for this module is already available for you to answer. Use the module 4 assessment to guide you as you study the lessons for this topic 📚
Keep working on your Change Climate Change Project 🍃🍂
Additional references:
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