Earth and Life Science

WEEK 15

The Process of Evolution, Interaction, and Interdependence

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Cite some evidences of evolution.

2. Explain how population of organisms become extinct.

3. Describe the principles of ecosystem.

4. Categorize the different biotic potential and environmental

resistance that affect population explosion.

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Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 1
 EVIDENCES OF EVOLUTION

Earth is filled with life. It sustains an enormous number of organisms, most of which
are not yet discovered, explored, catalogued or studied by science. This lesson, will discuss
the evidences of evolution and the causes of this multitude of life to emerge and diversify.

Evolution is the change in heritable traits of a biological population over successive

generations. It is responsible for the diverse forms of life on Earth. Although life is so diverse,
patterns of similarities exist to demonstrate that life emerged from one common ancestor.
Similarities in anatomical structures support the notion of evolution and common lineage
among organisms. Likewise, pattern of differences among and between life forms manifests
adaptation as evolutionary mechanism for survival of the population.

Environmental factors are the drivers of evolutionary process. In response to these

environmental factors, organisms develop adaptive strategies by physical, physiological, and
behavioral mechanisms. The perpetuation of life depends on the ability of the species to
adapt to the changing environment.

Scientists believed that the first life-forms appeared on Earth about 3.5 billion years
ago. Since then, the Earth and its organisms have changed and evolved over a period of
time. Modern – day species are believed to have evolved from older species, and that all
species descended from a common ancestor. Evolution is about changes in the genetic
makeup of the organisms. The genetic makeup of the organisms is encoded in their DNA.
The encoded information in the cells determines the characteristics of that organism.

Plate Tectonics/Geographical Distribution

Living things all over the world also provide evidence of evolution. Plants or animals
of similar characteristics were found distributed in different continents. The similarity in traits
suggests that they have common descent. Through migration and isolation, they have come
to inhabit different environments and have evolved along separate lines with different
adaptations to their new habitats. Some species of mammals for example, are adapted by
living in water (whales), in trees (primates), and in air (bats).

Digital Communication and Technological College Inc.

Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 2
Fossil Records

Fossils of extinct plants and animals present direct evidence of the evolutionary
process and at the same time give us ideas of how organisms develop adaptive strategies to
environmental factors.

Fossils are preserved remains of animals and plants that had lived in the past.
Examples of fossils include imprints of plant or parts on rocks, animals trapped and frozen in
ice, insects trapped in a hardened plant resin (amber), bones preserved in peat bog (spongy
ground with decaying plants, etc.), stone casts of mollusks and animal shells, and wood or
giant plant parts replaced by minerals.

Using fossil records, paleontologists are able to trace and reconstruct the
transformation of an organism over a span of time. One example is the evolution of man.

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Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 3
 THE ORIGIN AND EXTINCTION
OF SPECIES

Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Charles Darwin’s ideas on evolution are extensively explained in his book On the
Origin of Species published in 1859. The fundamental tenet of Darwin’s idea is that all the
different species have evolved from simple organisms and that include humans. According
to the theory of evolution it happens by natural selection. It is one of the basic mechanisms
of evolution. The other mechanisms are mutation, migration, and genetic drift as mentioned
by Moncada, et.al. (2016).

Nature, select the traits that have the best chance to survive and reproduce. These
traits are encoded in their genes and are transmitted from one generation to another, that is,
they are inheritable. Natural selection is nature’s gatekeeper or control quality mechanism.

PRINCIPLES OF ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem consists of the interactions between various communities of organisms

and the nonliving, physical environment. In an ecosystem, living organisms interact with one
another.

Digital Communication and Technological College Inc.

Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 4
In this lesson, we will discuss about the principles of ecosystem. It is a community of
interdependent organisms along with inorganic components of their environment including
water, soil and air. It is shaped by both biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic factors refer to the biological components which include all the interacting living
organisms. For example, a common freshwater mudfish, catfish and/or tilapia fish in a lake
ecosystem may be influenced by the algae that it eats, the biya (goby) that feeds on it, and
other species that compete with it for food and space. These freshwater fishes also eat
decomposing materials, and thus, may be influenced by surrounding trees and other
surrounding plants that drop their leaves on the lake’s surface.

Abiotic factors, on the other hand, refer to the physical or nonliving conditions that
influence the ecosystem’s interactions. These factors include the amount of sunlight and
water, type of rock or soil, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and available nutrients in
certain area. Again, let us consider the life of the common freshwater mudfish, catfish and/or
tilapia fish in the lake ecosystem. The algae it feeds on can only grow in areas underwater
that can be reached by sunlight.
Also, the wind that creates water currents may influence the directions of movement
of decomposing materials within the lake so that the food may not be always available to the
shrimp. The combined effects of biotic and abiotic factors determine if these freshwater
fishes will survive in its habitat or the specific environment where they live.

Types of Ecosystems

Ecosystems are broadly classified as natural ecosystem and man-made

ecosystem. A natural ecosystem is a biological environment in nature. They are not altered
or created by man. They are designed by nature without any human intervention and one of
the characteristics of natural ecosystem is its high level of biodiversity. Some examples of
tropical rainforest are lake, grassland, river, swamp, forest, coral reef, mangrove forest,
desert, etc. Shown below are some examples of a natural ecosystem.

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Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 5
On the other hand, man-made ecosystem is developed, constructed, designed, and maintained by
man for man’s benefit. Examples are rice field, orchard, banana plantation, zoo, park, vegetable
garden, nursery, arboretum, and memorial park or cemetery. Shown below are some examples of
man-made ecosystems.

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Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 6
 Biotic potential is the ability of a population to increase its number under an ideal
environment. It is the ability of how well a species is able to survive (Refran, et.al 2016).
Environmental resistance on the other hand are factors that limit the growth of a population.
These include biotic factors like predators, diseases, competition and lack of food as well as
abiotic factors like fire, flood and drought. These biotic and abiotic factors affect the rate of
reproduction of a particular species of organisms thereby resulting in the decrease in the
number of populations of a particular species of organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecologist try to distinguish between basic ecology and the applications of ecology to
understand human interactions with the environment. However, this is difficult given that the
human population has exceeded the 6.5 billion mark.

As such, one cannot avoid linking human impact in the study of ecology, as humans
are key players in reshaping the current state of the environment. Many of the ecosystems
discussed are all prone to the destructive capabilities of human abuse and neglect, which
have caused alterations and imbalance to the natural ecosystem processes that occur in
these places (Papa, et.al 2016).

Anthropogenic activities like illegal logging/deforestation, illegal mining, illegal fishing,

kaingin system and improper waste management will lead to destruction and damage of
habitat of organisms which will eventually result to migration of species of organisms to other
places and eventually extinction of species. With the increasing population growth and
continuous abusive use of the natural resources, there is a possibility that there will be
scarcity of natural resources which will eventually be depleted.

Some of these human activities will also result to air, water and soil pollution.
Humans must therefore be more conscious of the role they play as stewards of the natural
resources for their very existence and survival (Papa, et. al., 2016).

Below are some examples of human activities that affect the natural ecosystem.

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Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 7
 Week 15
Activity Sheet #1
The Process of Evolution, Interaction, and Interdependence

Student’s Name:_____________________________ Date:_____________________

Grade & Track: _____________________ Teacher: ______________

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Read and understand each item and choose the CAPITAL LETTER of your choice.

1. Which is not one of the basic mechanisms of change in a population?

A. mutation C. natural selection
B. migration (gene flow) D. adaptation

2. The primary sources of genetic variation are the following, except ______.
A. mutations C. gene flow
B. genetic shuffling D. natural selection

3. Which of the following is/are true of fossil records?

A. provide abundant evidence that the complex animals and plants of today
were not related to their ancient ancestors
B. give us record of past changes through vast periods of time
C. confirm that species are not fixed but can evolve into other species
D. both B and C

4. Which of the following is/are correct regarding the concept of evolution?

A. the fossil record of change in earlier species.
B. chemical and anatomical similarities of related life forms
C. geographic distribution of related species
D. All of the above

5. Which statement best describes man-made ecosystem?

A. Man-made ecosystems require less energy in order to maintain.
B. Man-made ecosystems require more energy in order to maintain.
C. Man-made ecosystems provide more food than natural ecosystem.
D. Man-made ecosystems are more productive than natural ecosystems.

6. Which statement is true about man-made and natural ecosystems?

A. They are composed of biotic factors only.
B. They are composed of abiotic factors only.
C. They can be controlled and modified easily.
D. They are composed of both biotic and abiotic factors.

7. What advantage does man-made ecosystem have over natural ecosystem?

A. Man-made ecosystem can be modified and controlled.
B. Man-made ecosystem can be made productive using technology.
C. Man-made ecosystem are not vulnerable to floods and earthquakes.
D. Both A and B are advantages of man-made ecosystem over natural
ecosystem.

Digital Communication and Technological College Inc.

Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 8
 8. The condition of an ecosystem may be altered by man-made disturbances. Which
of the following is not considered one of them?
A. timber harvesting C. road building
B. wetland drainage D. volcanic eruption

9. Which statement is true about abiotic factors like sunlight, water, and nutrients in a
man-made ecosystem?
A. They can be manipulated and controlled by man using appropriate
technology.
B. They can be eliminated anytime without serious effects on living things in
the ecosystem.
C. Any attempt to manipulate and control would lead to serious environmental
problems.
D. There are no immediate consequences in controlling abiotic factors.

10. Which one illustrates interaction between biotic (living component of the
ecosystem) and abiotic component (non-living component)?
A. Plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil through their roots.
B. Herds of goat are grazing on the hillside.
C. Plants perform photosynthesis.
D. All of the above.

B. Answer the following questions.

1. As a student, how could you help in addressing the problem on extinction of

plants and animals in our country?

2. How does technology aide in mass extinction? Explain your answer.

3. In what way does global climate change contribute to mass extinction? Cite
specific example.

Digital Communication and Technological College Inc.

Earth and Life Science
Prepared by: Ms. Julie May V. Profugo, LPT 9