Unit

1
The Human Population

Objectives
1. Explain the human population growth using graphs, tables and charts.
2. Designed human population growth and distribution chart.
3. Gathered, organized and interpreted human population dynamics data.

Introduction

Population, in human biology, the whole number of inhabitants occupying an area (such as a
country or the world) and continually being modified by increases (births and immigrations) and
losses (deaths and emigrations). As with any biological population, the size of a human population is
limited by the supply of food, the effect of diseases, and other environmental factors. Human
populations are further affected by social customs governing reproduction and by the technological
developments, especially in medicine and public health that have reduced mortality and extended his
life span.

For the first few million years of our evolution, humans lived in small groups and survived by
hunting and gathering. The invention of agriculture allowed human populations to grow rapidly, they
are still growing. If the number of humans on Earth is plotted against time, the curve stays essentially
horizontal until about 1000 C.E. (Common Era). At that time, there were less than 100 million people in
the entire world. From 1000 C.E. to 2000 C.E., the population growth curve turned sharply upward and
now appears almost vertical. It took 2 million years to reach the first billion people, 130 years to reach
the second billion, 30 years to reach the third billion, 15 years to reach the fourth billion, and only 12
years to reach five billion. The population of the world passed six billion in September 1999 and in
March 2001 was over 6,137,748,000. By 2010 the world’s population will pass seven billion.

This rapid population growth and the spread of humans to every part of the globe have
profoundly altered the environment. Obviously the population of Earth cannot grow indefinitely. At
some point, resources will run out and population growth will be limited. Biologists wonder what the
carrying capacity of Earth is and what the quality of life would be like if the human population were to
be allowed to increase to that point.

Let’s first get familiarized with the following terms:

 Demography – the study of populations – reviews the ways populations change in size.
Births (natality) and deaths (mortality) account for most changes in a population. The
difference between the two rates determines its growth or decline.
 Mortality - the probability of dying. Defined as the number of individuals dying in a given
time period.
 Mortality, concentrated in the young and the old, is the greatest reducer of
populations.

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  Mortality is measured by dividing the number dying in a given period by the number
alive at the beginning of the period.
 Mortality and its complement, survivorship, are best analyzed by means of a life table.
 Life table - an age specific summary of mortality.
 Probability of Survival – complement of the probability of dying. Defined as the number of
survivors at the end of a time period divided by the number alive at the beginning.

 Because the number of survivors is more important to a population than the number
dying, mortality is better expressed either as the probability of surviving or as life
expectancy.

Human Population Growth

Below is the population growth of the Philippines from 1960-2010. Notice how the human
population increased as the years go by.

 The current population of the Philippines is 109,770,544 as of

Wednesday, August 19, 2020, based on Worldometer elaboration of
the latest United Nations data.
 The Philippines 2020 population is estimated at 109,581,078 people
at mid-year according to UN data.
 The Philippines population is equivalent to 1.41% of the total world
population.

 The nation ranks number 13 in the list of countries (and

dependencies) by population.

 The population density in the Philippines is 368 per Km2 (952 people

per mi2).

 The total land area is 298,170 Km2 (115,124 sq. miles)

 47.5 % of the population is urban (52,008,603 people in 2020)

Philippine Map * The median age in the Philippines is 25.7 years.

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Population of the Philippines (2020 and historical)

Country's
Share of
Yearly % Yearly Migrants Media Fertility Density Urban Urban World World Philippines’
Year Population Change Change (net) n Age Rate (P/Km²) Pop % Pop Pop Pop’n Global Rank

2020 109,581,078 1.35 % 1,464,463 -67,152 25.7 2.58 368 47.5 % 52,008, 1.41 % 7,794,798 13
603 ,739

2019 108,116,615 1.37 % 1,465,221 -67,152 24.4 2.95 363 47.1 % 50,971, 1.40 % 7,713,468 13
408 ,100

2018 106,651,394 1.41 % 1,478,469 -67,152 24.4 2.95 358 46.8 % 49,961, 1.40 % 7,631,091 13
978 ,040

2017 105,172,925 1.46 % 1,509,109 -67,152 24.4 2.95 353 46.6 % 48,978, 1.39 % 7,547,858 13
289 ,925

2016 103,663,816 1.52 % 1,550,604 -67,152 24.4 2.95 348 46.3 % 48,017, 1.39 % 7,464,022 12
889 ,049

2015 102,113,212 1.68 % 1,629,286 -166,924 24.1 3.05 342 46.1 % 47,078, 1.38 % 7,379,797 12
199 ,139

2010 93,966,780 1.71 % 1,528,106 -309,615 23.1 3.30 315 45.2 % 42,487, 1.35 % 6,956,823 12
934 ,603

2005 86,326,250 2.05 % 1,666,899 -248,871 21.3 3.70 290 45.7 % 39,435, 1.32 % 6,541,907 12
905 ,027

2000 77,991,755 2.25 % 1,641,533 -189,869 20.5 3.90 262 46.1 % 35,981, 1.27 % 6,143,493 14
065 ,823

1995 69,784,088 2.43 % 1,577,786 -139,775 19.8 4.14 234 46.6 % 32,515, 1.21 % 5,744,212 14
486 ,979

1990 61,895,160 2.66 % 1,523,868 -62,935 19.2 4.53 208 47.0 % 29,106, 1.16 % 5,327,231 14
432 ,061

1985 54,275,822 2.76 % 1,383,616 -58,489 18.7 4.92 182 42.3 % 22,943, 1.11 % 4,870,921 17
780 ,740

Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision.
(Medium-fertility variant).

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 Philippines Demographics
 Life Expectancy - the average number of years to be lived in the future by members
of the population.

Life Expectancy at birth, both sexes combined – 71.66 years

Life Expectancy at birth, females – 75.9 years
Life Expectancy at birth, males – 67.7 years

Infant Mortality (infant deaths per 1,000 lives birth - 17.5

Deaths Under Age 5 – 24.8 (per 1,000 live births)

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 Main Cities by Population in the Philippines
(includes boroughs, districts, urban agglomerations, etc.)

# CITY NAME POPULATION # CITY NAME POPULATION

1 Quezon City 2,761,720 36 San Pedro 270,216

2 Manila 1,600,000 37 Mantampay 265,032

3 Caloocan City 1,500,000 38 San Fernando 251,248

4 Budta 1,273,715 39 Libertad 250,353

5 Davao 1,212,504 40 Navotas 249,463

6 Malingao 1,121,974 41 Tacloban 242,089

7 Cebu City 798,634 42 Batangas 237,370

8 General Santos 679,588 43 Magugpo Poblacion 233,254

9 Taguig 644,473 44 Taytay 231,460

10 Pasig City 617,301 45 Lucena 228,758

11 Las Pinas 590,000 46 Puerto Princesa 222,673

12 Antipolo 549,543 47 Olongapo 221,178

13 Makati City 510,383 48 Cabanatuan City 220,250

14 Zamboanga 457,623 49 Binangonan 219,204

15 Bacolod City 454,898 50 Santa Rosa 216,650

16 Mansilingan 454,150 51 Imus 216,099

17 Cagayan de Oro 445,103 52 Lipa City 212,287

18 Dasmarinas 441,876 53 San Pablo 207,577

19 Pasay 416,522 54 Malolos 198,748

20 Iloilo 387,681 55 Ormoc 191,200

21 San Jose del Monte 357,828 56 Panalanoy 189,090

22 Bacoor 356,974 57 Mabalacat City 188,050

23 Lapu-Lapu City 350,467 58 Pagadian 186,852

24 Iligan 342,618 59 Meycauayan 184,839

25 Mandaue City 331,320 60 Tarlac City 183,930

26 Calamba 316,612 61 Legaspi 179,481

27 Iligan City 312,323 62 Cotabato 179,433

28 Butuan 309,709 63 Naga 174,931

29 Cabuyao 308,745 64 Dagupan 171,271

30 Mandaluyong City 305,576 65 Toledo 156,916

31 Binan 300,000 66 Guyong 155,391

32 Angeles City 299,391 67 Bago City 150,250

33 Santol 298,976 68 Marawi City 143,627

34 Cainta 283,172 69 Kabankalan 136,483

35 Baguio 272,714 70 Baliuag 135,679

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Human Population Dynamics

Age Structure
A population pyramid, or age structure graph, is a simple graph that conveys the complex
social narrative of a population through its shape.

Years Percent Sex

Male Female
0-14 33.07% 17,870,983 17,151,096
15-24 19.17% 10,360,704 9,934,798
25-54 37.11% 19,987,460 19,312,673
55-64 6.04% 2,932,572 3,462,832
65 years and over 4.61% 2,001,964 2,878,299
*2018 estimate

This is the population pyramid for the Philippines. A population pyramid illustrates the age
and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social
stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis,
with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken
down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest
age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually
evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

Population Density
Population density is the number of individuals per unit geographic area, for example,
number per square meter, per hectare, or per square kilometer.
Population density is a measurement of the number of people in an area. It is an average
number. Population density is calculated by dividing the number of people by the area. Population

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density is usually shown as the number of people per square kilometre. The map below is a
choropleth (shading) map and illustrates population density. The darker the colour the greater the
population density.
The map above shows that the world population distribution is uneven. Some areas have a
high population density while others have a low population density. Areas of high population density
tend to be located between 20° and 60°N. This area contains a large land area and a relatively
temperate climate.

The 2019 population density in the Philippines is 363 people per Km 2 (939 people per mi2),
calculated on a total land area of 298,170 Km2 (115,124 sq. miles)

The following is the list of the largest cities in the Philippines and its population density:

Largest Cities in the Philippines

# CITY NAME POPULATION # CITY NAME POPULATION # CITY NAME POPULATION

1 Quezon City 2,761,720 13 Makati City 510,383 24 Iligan 342,618

2 Manila 1,600,000 14 Zamboanga 457,623 25 Mandaue City 331,320

3 Caloocan City 1,500,000 15 Bacolod City 454,898 26 Calamba 316,612

4 Budta 1,273,715 16 Mansilingan 454,150 27 Iligan City 312,323

5 Davao 1,212,504 Cagayan de 445,103 28 Butuan 309,709

17 Oro
6 Malingao 1,121,974 29 Cabuyao 308,745
18 Dasmarinas 441,876
7 Cebu City 798,634 Mandaluyong 305,576
30
19 Pasay 416,522 City
General 679,588
8
Santos 20 Iloilo 387,681

9 Taguig 644,473 San Jose del

21 357,828
Monte
10 Pasig City 617,301
22 Bacoor 356,974
11 Las Pinas 590,000
23 Lapu-Lapu City 350,467
12 Antipolo 549,543

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Population Distribution

Population distribution means the pattern of where people live. Often, individuals in a
population are not spread out evenly. Instead, they may live in clumps or some other pattern.
Population distribution describes how the individuals are distributed, or spread throughout their
habitat. The distribution of the population in a given space is measured via population density,
specifically, people per square kilometer.

World population distribution is uneven. Places which are sparsely populated contain few
people. Places which are densely populated contain many people. Sparsely populated places tend to
be difficult places to live. These are usually places with hostile environments e.g. Antarctica. Places
which are densely populated are habitable environments e.g. Europe.
The planet's human population is influenced by environmental and human factors.

 The environmental factors include relief, the climate and the soil. People prefer to live in
places with flat reliefs, fertile soils and temperate climates, which are better for agriculture,
and areas near the sea.

Birth Rate

Birth is the greatest influence on population increase. Like death, births are age – specific.
Certain age classes contribute more to the population than others.

Birth rate (or crude birth rate) is measured by the annual number of births per 1,000 total
population.

Birth Rate is the term used to define the number of babies born every year per 1000 people in
a population.

Death Rate

Death Rate is the term used to define the number of deaths every year per 1000 people in a
population.

Death rate (or crude death rate) is measured by the annual number of deaths per 1,000 total
populations.

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 Below is the historical birth rate death rate data of the Philippines from 2002 to 2020.

Activity:
1. Using the table above, calculate the population density of each location:
a. World
Continents Population 2009 Surface (km2) Population Density
Africa 999 000 000 30 357 269
America 920 000 000 42 216 358
Asia 4 117 000 000 45 039 762
Europe 738 000 000 9 850 635
Oceania 36 000 000 8 504 464

b.Philippines
Regions Population 2018 Surface (km2) Population Density
NCR 12.88 million 619 sq km
Calabarzon 14.41 million 16 756 sq km
Mimaropa 2.96 million 29, 606 sq km
Western Visayas 4.48 million 12 733 sq km

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Central Visayas 6.04 million 10 452 sq km

2. Secure a 2010-2020 data from your respective barangay as regards:

a. number of males and females from ages:

0-4; 5-9; 10-14; 15- 19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69;
70-74; 75-79; 80+

b. 2010-2020 birth rate

c. 2010-2020 death rate

Note: Present your data using graphs, tables or charts. Give your interpretation of the said data.

References:

Miller, G. T. & Spoolman, S., E. Essentials of Ecology. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2009.

Steffen, W. et. Al. Global Change and the Earth System; A Planet Under Pressure. New York: Springer, 2004.

https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/PHL/philippines/death-rate

https://www.britanica.com/exposure/savingearth/population

https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/anthropology-and-archaeology/human-
evolution/human-population

https://www.internetgeography.net/topics/what-is-population-density/

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/philippines-population/

https://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/popn1.html

https://bio.libretextx.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_Introductory_Biology_(CK-12)

De La Rosa, C.J., Fiestada, J.O., Sanchez, S.M., Mangahas, M. and PCIJ Data Team.A PCIJ PRIMER: UNPACKING
FEDERALISM Stats on the state of the regions:Land, population, population density.July 11, 2018

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 Unit
2
ECOSYSTEMS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY
WORK?

Objectives
1. Identify the characteristics of life.
2. Identify and discuss the major components of the ecosystem.
3. Discuss the transformation of energy in the ecosystem.
4. Explain the various nutrient cycles in the ecosystem.

Introduction
Ecosystem is the basic unit of the field of the scientific study of nature. It is a physically
defined environment, made up of two inseparable components. An ecosystem is a community of
living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air,
water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are regarded as
linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms, and between
organisms and their environment, they can be of any size but usually encompass specific, limited
spaces (although some scientists say that the entire planet is an ecosystem).” Ecosystems can be
huge, with many hundreds of different animals and plants all living in a delicate balance, or they could
be relatively small. In particularly harsh places in the world, such as the North and South Poles, the
ecosystems are relatively simple because there are only a few types of creatures that can withstand
the freezing temperatures and harsh living conditions.
Some creatures can be found in multiple different ecosystems all over the world in different
relationships with other or similar creatures. Ecosystems also consist of creatures that mutually benefit
from each other.

Lesson 1. What keeps us and other Organisms Alive?

Characteristics of Life

 Cellular Organization
All Living Things are Made Up of Cells -the smallest unit capable of all life functions

Unicellular Organisms

 Entire organism is made up of one single cell

 Bacteria and protists

Multicellular Organisms

 The organism is made up of many cells

 Cells have specialized functions within the organism

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Biological Organizations:
• Atoms
• Molecules
• Cells
• Tissues
• Organs
• Organ systems
• Organisms
• Populations
• Communities
• Ecosystems
• Biosphere

 All Living Things Reproduce

o Reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type
Asexual Reproduction - A single parent
organism reproducing by itself

http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/micron/mi
croscope/division.jpg

Sexual Reproduction- Two different parent

organisms contribute genetic information. Involves
the combination of male and female sex cells
http://microscopy.fsu.edu/cells/plants/images/plantcell.jpg

 All Living Things Obtain and Use Energy

o Living organisms need energy to grow, develop, repair
damage, and reproduce

 All Organisms Maintain Homeostasis - A stable

state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life
o Body temperature
o Blood volume
o pH balance
o Water balance
http://wunmr.wustl.edu/EduDev/LabTutorials/Buffer

/images/Fluids.jpg
 All Organisms Pass Along Hereditary Traits
o Genes carry hereditary information

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 o Genes are composed of DNA
o Heredity is the reason children resemble their parents

 All Living Things Respond to Their Environment Organisms react to stimuli:

o Light
o Temperature
o Odor
o Sound
o Gravity
o Heat

o Water
o Pressure Plant’s leaves and stems growing toward light

 All Living Things Grow

o Growth means to get bigger in size

 All Living Things Develop

o Development involves a change in the physical form or
physiological make-up of an organism

 All Living Things Adapt to Their Environment Through Evolution

o Adaptation- A process that enables

organisms to become better suited to their
environment. Species obtain adaptations
through evolution over great periods of time

Desert plants have succulent waxy leaves and stems to

store water and reduce water loss

Lesson 2. Ecosystem Structure

Each ecosystem has two main components:

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 1. Abiotic Components -The non-living factors or the physical environment prevailing in an
ecosystem form the abiotic components. These are Climatic Factors that include rain, temperature,
light, wind, humidity etc. and Edaphic Factors including soil, pH, topography minerals etc.

2. Biotic Components - The living organisms such as plants, animals and micro-organisms
(Bacteria and Fungi) that are present in an ecosystem form the biotic components.

The biotic components can be further grouped into two basic components from the
nutrition point of view:
(i) Autotrophic components- The autotrophic components include all green plants which fix
the radiant energy of the sun and manufacture food from inorganic substances and
(ii) Heterotrophic components - The heterotrophic components include non-green plants
and all animals which take food from autotrophs.

Lesson 3. Energy Flow in Ecosystems

What happens to energy in an ecosystem?

The energy flow in the ecosystem is important to maintain an ecological balance. The producers
synthesise food by the process of photosynthesis. A part of the energy is stored thin the plants. The
remaining energy is utilised by the plants in their growth and development.

 All organisms play a role in their ecosystem:

– Producer (Autotroph)

 Make their own food (usually through

photosynthesis)

• Ex: plants (even the Venus Flytrap!)

 All organisms play a role in their ecosystem:

– Consumers (Heterotroph)

 Can’t make its own food

 Gets energy from eating other organisms

• 1. Herbivores – eats plants

• 2. Carnivores – eats animals

• 3. Omnivores – eats plants & animals

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  Scavengers – eats dead animals

 All organisms play a role in their ecosystem:

 Decomposers

– Break down waste and dead organisms to return raw materials to the environment

 Ex: bacteria, fungi, worms

Food Chain

 Food chain – shows one path of the flow of energy in an

ecosystem. It describes the feeding relationship between a producer
and a single chain of consumers in an ecosystem.

 Order of the food chain:

1. Sun – energy source

2. Producer

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 3. 1st level Consumer – eats producers

4. 2nd level Consumer – eats 1st level consumers

5. Decomposer – recycles materials for use by producers

The energy that flows through the food chain, i.e., from producers to consumers to
decomposers is always inefficient. That means less energy is available at secondary consumers level
than at primary producers level. It’s not surprising, but the amount of energy produced from place to
place varies a lot due to the amount of solar radiation and the availability of nutrients and water.

Food Web

 a model that shows the energy flow through different

organisms in an ecosystem.

 consists of many overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

 FOOD WEB VS FOOD CHAIN

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 Activity:

1. Below are pictures of organisms. Answer the question after the pictures.

a. What might happen to the other organisms if algae were removed from this group?
b. What might happen if the killer whales were removed?
c. Are there any organisms in this group that eat more than one kind of food?

2. Create a food chain that includes & ends with you. (present in your most creative way)

Lesson 4. What happens to matter in an ecosystem?

In an ecosystem, matter refers to all of the living and nonliving things in that environment.

Living things mean plants, animals, and organisms, while nonliving things could be air, nutrients, and
water. All plants and animals need both living and nonliving things to survive. For example, humans
need food (living) and water (nonliving). Let's take a look at how both matter and energy are
transferred in an ecosystem.

How  Matter Moves Through Ecosystems

Living things need nonliving
matter as well as energy. What do
you think matter is used for? It's
used to build bodies. It's also
needed to carry out the processes of
life. Any nonliving matter that living
things need is called a nutrient.
Carbon and nitrogen are examples
of nutrients. Unlike energy, matter is
recycled in ecosystems. You can see
how in the figure.
.

 Decomposers release
nutrients when they break down dead organisms.
 The nutrients are taken up by plants through their roots.
 The nutrients pass to primary consumers when they eat the plants.
 The nutrients pass to higher level consumers when they eat lower level consumers.
 When living things die, the cycle repeats.

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Nutrient Cycles in the Ecosystem

The Water Cycle . Do plants release water?

PROCEDURE
 Cover a branch of the plant with a plastic bag. Tape the bag firmly around the stem.
 Water the plant and place it in a sunny window or under a lamp. Wash your hands.
 Check the plant after one hour, and again the next day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 What do you see inside the plastic bag?
 What purpose does the plastic bag serve?

MATERIALS
• 1 small potted plant ; 1 clear plastic bag; tape; water

All ecosystems need certain materials.

Living things depend on their environment to meet their needs. You can think of those needs
in terms of the material, or matter, required by all living things. For example, all organisms take in
water and food in order to survive. All of the materials an organism takes in are returned to the
ecosystem, while the organism lives or after it dies. The movement of matter through the living and
nonliving parts of an ecosystem is a continuous process, a cycle. A cycle is a series of events that
happens over and over again. Matter in an ecosystem may change form, but it never leaves the
ecosystem, so the matter is said to cycle through the ecosystem. Three of the most important cycles in
ecosystems involve water, carbon, and nitrogen.

Water cycles through ecosystems.

Water is stored on Earth’s surface in lakes,
rivers, and oceans. Water is found underground, filling
the spaces between soil particles and cracks in rocks.
Large amounts of water are stored in glaciers and
polar ice sheets. Water is also part of the bodies of
living things. But water is not just stored, it is
constantly moving. The movement of water through
the environment is called the water cycle.
Water is made up of just two elements:
oxygen and hydrogen. As water moves through an
ecosystem, it changes in physical form, moving back
and forth between gas, liquid, and solid. Water in the atmosphere is usually in gaseous form—water
vapor. Water that falls to Earth’s surface is referred to as precipitation. For precipitation to occur, water
vapor must condense—it must change into a liquid or solid. This water can fall as rain, snow, sleet,
mist, or hail.

What are the three physical forms of water in the water cycle?
Water returns to the atmosphere when heated, changing back into vapor, a process called
evaporation. Living things also release water vapor. Animals release water vapor when they breathe, or
respire. Plants release water vapor through a process called transpiration.

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Carbon cycles through ecosystems.
Carbon is an element found in all living
things. Carbon moves through Earth’s ecosystems
in a cycle referred to as the carbon cycle It is
through carbon dioxide gas found in Earth’s
atmosphere that carbon enters the living parts of
an ecosystem.
Plants use carbon dioxide to produce
sugar—a process called photosynthesis. Sugars are
carbon compounds that are important building
blocks in food and all living matter. Food supplies
the energy and materials living things need to live
and grow. To release the energy in food, organisms
break down the carbon compounds—a process
called respiration. Carbon is released and cycled
back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. When
living things die and decay, the rest of the carbon
that makes up living matter is released.

Name three ways that living things are part of the carbon cycle.
Earth’s oceans contain far more carbon
than the air does. In water ecosystems—lakes,
rivers, and oceans—carbon dioxide is dissolved
in water. Algae and certain types of bacteria are
the photosynthetic organisms that produce food
in these ecosystems. Marine organisms, too,
release carbon dioxide during respiration.
Carbon is also deposited on the ocean floor
when organisms die.
Large amounts of carbon are stored
underground. The remains of plants and animals
buried for millions of years decay slowly and
change into fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. The
carbon in fossil fuels returns to ecosystems in a
process called combustion.
As humans burn fossil fuels to release
energy, dust particles and gases containing
carbon are also released into the environment. Note: You may use improvised materials available in your
place.

Nitrogen cycles through ecosystems.

Nitrogen is another element important to
life that cycles through Earth in the nitrogen cycle.
Almost four-fifths of the air you breathe is clear,
colorless nitrogen gas. Yet, you cannot get the
nitrogen you need to live from the air. All animals
must get nitrogen from plants.
Plants cannot use pure nitrogen gas either.
However, plants can absorb certain
compounds of nitrogen. Plants take in these

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nitrogen compounds through their roots, along with water and other nutrients. So how does the nitrogen
from the atmosphere get into the soil? One source is lightning. Every lightning strike breaks apart, or fixes,
pure nitrogen, changing it into a form that plants can use. This form of nitrogen falls to the ground when it
rains.

A far greater source of nitrogen is nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria live in the oceans as well
as the soil. Some even attach themselves to the roots of certain plants, like alfalfa or soybeans. When
organisms die, decomposers in the ocean or soil break them down. Nitrogen in the soil or water is used
again by living things. A small amount is returned to the atmosphere by certain bacteria that can break
down nitrogen compounds into nitrogen gas.

Activity:
1. Draw a diagram of the water cycle. Show three ways in which water moves through the
cycle.
2. Summarize the main parts of the carbon cycle.
3. Explain two ways that nitrogen gas in the atmosphere is changed into nitrogen
compounds that plants can use.
4. Predict When people burn fossil fuels, carbon dioxide gas is added to the
atmosphere. How might increased carbon dioxide affect plant growth?
5. Compare and Contrast Review the nitrogen and carbon cycles. How are these two
cycles similar and different?
6. Apply Draw a cycle diagram that shows how water is used in your household.
Include activities that use water, sources of water, and ways that water leaves your
house.

References:

Miller, G. T. & Spoolman, S. E. Essentials of Ecology. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2009.

Steffen, W. et al. lobal Change and the Earth System; A Planet Under Pressure. New York:
Springer, 2004.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-an-ecosystem.php

https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/envirobiology/chapter/3-1-energy-flow-through-ecosystems/

https://byjus.com/biology/energy-flow-in-ecosystem/

https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2014-29/?page_id=108

https://www.ck12.org/earth-science/flow-of-matter-in-ecosystems/lesson/Flow-of-Matter-in-
Ecosystems-MS-ES/

Ma’am Tan Page 20