THIRD QUARTER

GRADE-7 SCIENCE
MELCS: Describe the different
ecological relationships found in an
ecosystem (S7LT -IIh – 10)
DEVELOPMENT TEAM:

MARYJUL R. RANAY
MST-SCIE.ED.

MIKO L. MANTE

Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ___________________________________________________ 1
LESSON 1- COMMENSALISM ____________________________________________ 2- 4
Activity 1 ____________________________________________________ 5-6
Activity 2 ____________________________________________________ 7-8
Activity 3 ____________________________________________________ 9
Activity 4 ____________________________________________________ 10
LESSON 2- COMPITITION _______________________________________________ 11-12
Activity 5 ____________________________________________________ 13
LESSON 3 PARASITISM _________________________________________________ 14-15
Activity 6 ____________________________________________________ 16-17
Activity 7 ____________________________________________________ 18-19
Activity 8 ____________________________________________________ 20-21
LESSON 4 PREDATION __________________________________________________ 22
Activity 9 ____________________________________________________ 23-24
REFERENCES ___________________________________________________________ 25

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 We sincerely thank the Almighty God for His graces, strength,

sustenance, and most importantly His faithfulness and love from the start

of our academic career until this master's level. His kindness has enabled

us to excel and achieve success in all of our academic endeavors.

To Mrs. Sheila Kylene A. Tawas, our amiable, ever supportive, and

humble instructor, deserves our heartfelt thanks for her numerous and

invaluable contributions and instructions throughout the semester. Your

encouragement and high degree of freedom in the course are greatly

appreciated. Your words of hope and encouragement were extremely

helpful, especially during this difficult time. the seemingly difficult times

We appreciate everything you've done for us, ma’am.

Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our

dear parents for their assistance and roles they played on our behalf. We'd

also like to thank our siblings, classmates, and friends for their amusing

yet moral support throughout the semester. We are truly grateful to each

and every one of you. May God bless us all.

COMM
ENSAL
ISM
One of the best-known examples of a commensal is the remora (family
Echineidae) that rides attached to sharks and other fishes. Remoras have evolved
on the top of their heads a flat oval sucking disk structure that adheres to the
bodies of their hosts. Both remoras and pilot fishes feed on the leftovers of their
hosts’ meals. Other examples of commensals include bird species, such as the
great egret (Ardea alba), that feed on insects turned up by grazing mammals or
on soil organisms stirred up by plowing. Various biting lice, fleas, and louse flies are
commensals in that they feed harmlessly on the feathers of birds and on sloughed-
off flakes of skin from mammals.
The term was coined in 1876
by Belgian paleontologist and
zoologist Pierre-Joseph van
Beneden, along with the
term mutualism. Beneden
initially applied the word to
describe the activity of carcass-
eating animals that followed
predators to eat their waste
food. The word commensalism
comes from the Latin
word commensalis, which
means "sharing a table."
Commensalism is most often
discussed in the fields of
ecology and biology, although
the term extends to other
sciences.
Terms Related to Commensalism
Commensalism is often confused with related words:

Mutualism - Mutualism is a relationship in which two organisms benefit

from each other.
Amensalism - A relationship in which one organism is harmed while the
other is not affected.
Parasitism - A relationship in which one organism benefits and the other
is harmed.
There's often debate about whether a particular relationship is an example
of commensalism or another type of interaction. For example, some
scientists consider the relationship between people and gut bacteria to be
an example of commensalism, while others believe it is mutualistic because
humans may gain a benefit from the relationship.

Examples of Commensalism
 Remora fish have a disk on their heads that makes them able to attach
to larger animals, such as sharks, mantas, and whales. When the
larger animal feeds, the remora detaches itself to eat the extra food.
 Nurse plants are larger plants that offer protection to seedlings from
the weather and herbivores, giving them an opportunity to grow.
 COMMENSALISM
ACTIVITY 1

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students must have;
1. Explain how organisms interact with one another in Commensalism.
2. Identify some examples of Commensalism.
What you need: Paper, pen, glue, and scissors

What to do:

You're the scientist now! We need your help investigating, describing, and
documenting relationships about commensalism discovered during a snorkel or
nature walk. The following are a few examples of commensalism that you may
encounter; however, there are many more! Fill in the blanks with illustrations and
information about at least three other examples about Commensalism you discover,
you are provided already with different pictures and select those that illustrate
commensalism. Thank you for your participation, and good luck to your scientific
investigation!
 1. Sharks and 2. Milkweed and 3. Whales and
Remora Fish Monarch Butterfly Barnacles

4. Livestock and 5. Orchids Growing 6.  Sea Cucumbers

Cattle Egrets On Branches and Emperor Shrimp
Guide Questions (5 pts. each):
1. Based on the activity, choose at least 1 example of a symbiotic relationship
about commensalism and explain how these organisms interact with each
other.
2. Cite other examples of symbiotic relationships about commensalism.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMMENSALISM
ACTIVITY 2

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students must have;
1. Describe the effects of interactions in commensalism
2. Cite examples showing how living organisms depend on each other for their
needs to survive.
What you need: Paper, pen, glue, and scissors

What to do:
 Distinguish whether the following pictures illustrate commensalism or not. Put a check (/) if the
picture illustrates commensalism and put an (x) if not. Answer the following guide questions ( 5
pts. each).

(Retrieved from: https://sciencenotes.org/commensalism-definition-and-examples/ )

Guide questions:

1. In commensalism, how do organisms interact with one another? What significant effect does an
organism get from the other organism?
2. Give at least 5 examples of symbiotic relationships in commensalism.

COMMENSALISM
ACTIVITY 3

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students must have;
1. Identify and recognize commensalism examples.
 2. Discuss the interactions of organisms in commensalism
What you need: Paper, and pen

What to do:
 Determine whether the statements provided are true or false. Put a check in the
second column if it’s true, in the second column if it’s not. Justify your answer
in the third column ( 3 points each)

STATEMENTS TRUE FALSE EXPLANATION

1. Commensalism is a type of
symbiotic relationship in which
one species benefits, while the
other species is neither harmed
nor helped.

2. Commensalism can only be

observed in animals.

3. Orchids growing on branches is

an example of Commensalism.

4. Tree frogs use the plant as

protection, is an example of
Commensalism.

5. Epiphytes include species like

ferns or orchids. They can grow
on larger trees, using them as a
surface or support, the trees in
this situation are extensively
harmed.

COMMENSALISM
ACTIVITY 4

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students must have;
 1. Identify and recognize commensalism examples.
2. Discuss the interactions of organisms in commensalism

What you need: Paper, and pen

What to do:
 Take a look at the example scenario below. Determine whether the two
organisms in the boxes labeled 'Organism 1' and 'Organism 2' benefit, are
harmed, or are neutral in the relationship. Finally, classify and explain the
example in the third column according to the type of symbiosis it represents. 5
points each

1. Pilotfish school around and follow a shark. When the shark feeds, pilotfish get lots of
leftovers.

(Photo retrieved from: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_fish)

ORGANISM 1 ORGANISM 2 SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

COMP
ETITI
ON Many species compete for the same
resources in an ecosystem, which is
called Competition symbiosis. It
may seem like this type of
relationship is the opposite of
symbiosis, but ecosystems depend
Competition in a Symbiotic Relationship
Competition is a relationship between organisms that compete or strive for the
same resources in the same place and at the same time. This kind of relationship
can exist among organisms of the same species (Intraspecific Competition). It
can also occur among organisms from different species (Interspecific
Competition).

Competition among organisms could be for food, water, space, or mates at the
same time and place. This can result in a conflict, forcing the weaker organism or
the organism with less adaptation to suffer, leave, or become extinct.

One example of a competition relationship is the fight for sunlight and water in a
location with a dense tree or plant population. Taller trees get more sunlight and
starve low-level plants of sunlight. The result is that the lower level trees do not do
as well as the dominant, taller trees.

Other examples of two organisms competing include male birds of the same
species competing for a mate. Sometimes, this can end in a fight, and the winner
wins the mate.
Two of the main ways that population interact with one another is by competition
and by predation. In competition, individuals seek to obtain the same
environmental resource. In predation, one population is the resource of the other.

One can conceptualize competition as occurring horizonatally on the same

resource level, while predation takes place vertically between different resource
levels.

Competition and predation comprise environmental pressures on the interacting

populations. The coexistence of populations under competition and predation
indicates that these populations have accomodated themselves to each other's
presence and have evolved ways to survive in spite of the pressures. In other
words, they have coevolved.

COMPETITION
ACTIVITY 5
Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students must have;
1. Explain the interaction of organisms in Competition symbiosis.
2. Familiarize some examples of Competition symbiosis

What you need: Paper, and pen

What to do:
 Determine whether the statements provided are true or false. Put a check in the
second column if it’s true, in the second column if it’s not. Justify your answer
in the third column (3 points each)

EXAMPLES TRUE FALSE EXPLANATION

Sea sponges and coral compete for food
and marine resources. If the sea sponges
have sole access to the resources, they will
be successful – but the coral will die. A
lack of coral negatively affects the reef,
which means that sea sponges could die.
Both wolves and bears hunt the same prey
in their habitats. But if the bears consume
all the prey in the area, the wolves will die
off, and the habitat will be imbalanced.
The cattle egret a short bird found foraging
in cattle herds, eats insects that have been
disturbed when the cattle forage. It doesn’t
affect the cattle, but the cattle egret
depends on this food source.

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What do you think would happen, if one species has an abundance of resources
and the other species doesn’t? Explain briefly ( 6 points)
2. Cite 2 other examples of Competition symbiosis and describe their interaction
with one another. (5 points)

PARASITISM
 WHAT IS IT?

WHAT’S MORE?

Ecological Relationship describe the interactions between and among organisms

within their environment. These interactions may have positive, negative or
neutral effects on either organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.

There are five Ecological Relationships, these are Predation, Commensalism,

Mutualism, Competition and Parasitism.

For this Learning Activity, we will focus on Parasitism. One of the interesting
ecological relationships.

THERE’S REALLY MORE!

Parasitism- A relationship in which one organism benefits (parasite)

while the other is harmed (host). A parasite gets its nutrients from a
living host harmed by the interaction. Some parasites are found on the
host's surface. Others inhabit their hosts. They can enter the host through a
skin breach, food, or water. Roundworms, for example, are mammals'
 TYPES OF PARASITISM
There are various types of parasitism and are classified based on their size,
characteristics, interactions with their hosts and their life cycles.
1. OBLIGATE PARASITISM- the parasite is completely dependent on the host to
complete its life cycle. It cannot survive without the host; therefore, they do not
severely harm the host.
2. FACULTATIVE PARASITISM- the parasite is not completely dependent on the
host to complete its life cycle and can survive without the host.
3. ECTOPARASITISM- the parasites that live outside the body of the host. (for eg.
Lice and ticks)
4. ENDOPARASITISM- parasites that live inside the body of the host (for eg.,
hookworms & nematodes)
5. MESOPARASITISM- the parasites that enter the external openings of the host.
6. BROOD PARASITISM- organisms that rely to other organism.
7. SOCIAL PARASITISM- the coexistence of two or more ant species in one nest or
colony, parasitic species which is dependent on one or several host species.
ACTIVITY 6: MATCH-MAKING
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the activity, students are able to:

1. Identify the types of parasites in an ecological interaction.

2. Discuss how does certain ecological relationship become parasitism.

What you need:

Paper and ballpen

What to do:

1. Based on the given picture below, identify the types of parasites in a certain
ecological interaction.
2. Record your answers on your paper.

Column A Column B
A. Hyper-parasitism the
parasitic habit of one species
upon another parasitic
species—has also attracted
attention

1. (Source: Scitechdaily.com)
B. Brood parasitism, also
called social parasitism, is the
exploitation by one individual
(the brood parasite) of the
parental care of another (the
host).
2. (Source: insectessociaux.com/)
C. Social parasites take advantage
of interspecific interactions
between members
of eusocial animals such
as ants, termites,
and bumblebees. Examples
include the large blue butterfly

3. (Source: britannica.com)
D. Obligate parasite is a
parasite that depends
completely on the host for
its habitat,
nourishment, reproduction,
and survival
4. (Source: britannica.com)
 E. In sexual parasitism, a
unisexual or hermaphroditic
organism uses another
individual's gametes to
propagate its own genome

5. (Source: biologyonline.com)

Guide Question:
1. Based on the given photographs, give five examples of an ecological
relationships of parasitism.
2. Explain how does certain relationship become parasitism.

Scoring Rubric:

ACTIVITY 7: RUTHLESS PARASITES

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the activity, students are able to:

1. Describe the effects parasitism has on organisms

 2. Distinguish how parasites influence economic loss in a certain
population

What you need:

Paper and ballpen
What to do:
1. Given the photographs below in the table, Describe the effects
parasitism has on a certain organism.
2. Record your answer on the next column.

Sample Photographs: Description:

(Source: sunnysports.com)

(Source: petmd.com)

(Source: healthline.com)

Scoring Rubric:
Points CRITERIA
15 Scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, and has no
misconception.
10 Scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but with minimal
misconception.
5 Explained consistent to the concepts, but with misconceptions.

Guide Questions:
1. Based on the photographs above, explain how parasites affect economic
loss in a certain population especially in health aspects?
2. What distinguishes parasitism from the other five symbiotic
relationships?
3. As a responsible individual, how will you manage to minimize the effect
of parasitism to a certain organism.
 ACTIVITY 8: MY FRAYER MODEL OF PARASITISM
Learning Objectives:
1. develop a frayer model of parasitism
2.
What to do:
1. Create your own Frayer model.
2. In the first part write your own definition of parasitism.
3. For the second part, cut a photo that shows parasitism ecological
relationship and paste.
4. In the third part, describe the photo you attached on the second part.
5. Lastly, write your take away learnings for this lesson.

MY FRAYER MODEL OF PARASITISM

OWN DEFINITION PARASITISM PASTE A SAMPLE PHOTO OF PARASITISM

PARASITIS
M
DESCRIBE THE PHOTO TAKE AWAY LEARNING OF THE LESSON
RUBRIC FOR FRAYER MODEL
 PREDATION

In an ecosystem, all organisms are interconnected. Because

organisms are interconnected, they create relationships with one
another. Some organisms fight for resources or space with other
organisms. Other organisms rely on one another to survive. These
are referred to as ecological relationships.
Ecological relationships are classified into five categories.
The competition between organisms for food, space, mates, and
other resources is known as competition. Predation occurs when
one creature feeds on another. Ecological interactions include
commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. These are examples of
symbiotic interactions. Symbiosis is a close and long-term
interaction between two organisms.
In this lesson let’s know more about Predation. How this
ecological relationship help to balance the ecosystem.

Predation is an important inter-organism connection.

Another organism feeds on another. Prey is the organism
that is devoured. The predator is the organism that is
consuming. Often, the prey is the predator of another
creature, and the predator is the prey of another organism!
Populations undergo cyclical change as a result of the
predator-prey relationship. When predators eat prey, the
population of prey decreases. The predator population is
constrained by a decrease in food. As a result, the predator
population declines. In another activity, you will delve deeper
into this ecological interdependence.
Let’s have an activity, now!
 ACTIVITY 9. TEXTUAL APPLICATIONS
Objective: At the end of the session, students are able to;
1. Explain what has to be done to restore balance the ecosystem.

What to do?
1. Read the predator/prey scenario.
2. Infer what will occur with the populations and the ecosystem as
a result of the relationship
3. Explain what will need to happen to maintain balance the
ecosystem.
4. Write your answers inside the box provided.

 SCENARIO 1.
A grassland ecosystem was comfortably sustaining a healthy
population of prairie dogs and foxes. A nearby forest caused the
smaller red wolf to migrate into the population.

Inter what will occur:

 SCENARIO 2.
Coastal areas in the province of Surigao del Norte are being
distracted by the chemical compounds brought by mining
activities. Marine species are decreasing its number of population.

Inter what will occur:

 SCORING RUBRIC:
Points CRITERIA
15 Scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, and has no
misconception.
10 Scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but with minimal
misconception.
5 Explained consistent to the concepts, but with misconceptions.
References:

https://sciencenotes.org/commensalism-definition-and-examples/
https://sharktourshawaii.com/blog/shark-remora-fish-unique-relationship/

https://slikegallery.blogspot.com/2016/04/cattle-egrets-and-cattle-commensalism.html

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/02/orchids-alys-fowler-gardening-

https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/milkweed.html

https://fossilhuntress.blogspot.com/2020/05/using-barnacles-to-track-ancient-whales.html

https://eschooltoday.com/learn/what-is-commensalism/

https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/relationship-between-egret-and-cattle-a-class-11-biology-
cbse-5f70e8f8c8f93c434adb7ab8

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-symbiosis.html

https://www.britannica.com/science/commensalism

https://www.thoughtco.com/commensalism-definition-and-examples-4114713#:~:text=Key
%20Takeaways%3A%20Commensalism&text=The%20species%20that%20gains%20the,on%20leftovers
%20from%20its%20kills.

https://eschooltoday.com/learn/competition-in-a-symbiotic-relationship/

https://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~gaud/bio326/class/predat/pred.htm#:~:text=In%20competition%2C
%20individuals%20seek%20to,vertically%20between%20different%20resource%20levels.

https://www.biologydiscussion.com/ecosystem/ecosystem-with-diagram/
16629
https://www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/665758757386346618/
https://sciencing.com/five-types-ecological-relationships-7786,html
https://byjus.com/biology/parasitism/
https://znnhs.zdnorte.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Science7-Q2-
Module-6.p
https://www.westpark.k12.ca.us/cms/lib/CA01001433/Centricity/Domain/
157/01%20Relationships%20in%20Ecosystem%20Text-merged.pdf
1.

2. https://www.nationalgeographic.org
Science textbook