Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
DIVISION OF PAMPANGA
EASTERN PORAC NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Manibaug, Libutad Porac Pampanga

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

QUARTER 1 WEEK 1

ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH (PLANET EARTH)

After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the characteristics of the Earth that supports life; and
2. expound how the characteristics of the Earth sustain the needs of a living organism.

Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to harbor life. Our planet has a molten nickel-iron core which gave rise to
an extensive magnetic field, which, along with the atmosphere, shields us from harmful radiation coming from the Sun. In this
module, you will understand why this planet is called the “living planet.”

ACTIVITY NO.1: Earth: A Habitable Planet

Read the document carefully and answer the questions that follow. Write your answers on a yellow paper.
Factors that Not Enough of the
make a Planet Factor
Habitable
Temperature Low temperatures cause
influences how chemicals to react slowly,
quickly atoms and which interferes with the
molecules move. reactions necessary for
life. It can also cause the
freezing of water, making
liquid water unavailable.
Atmosphere Small planets and moons
have insufficient gravity to
hold an atmosphere. The
gas molecules escape to
space, leaving the planet or
moon without an insulating
blanket or a protective
shield.
Energy When there is too little
sunlight or too few of the
chemicals that provide
energy to cells, such as
iron or sulfur, organisms
die.
Nutrients used Without chemicals to
to build and make proteins and
maintain an carbohydrates,
organism’s organisms cannot grow.
body. Planets without systems
to deliver nutrients to its
organisms (e.g., a water
cycle or volcanic activity)
cannot support life. Also,
when nutrients are spread
so thin that they are hard
to obtain, such as on a
gas planet, life cannot
exist.
Just Right Too Much of the Factor Situation in the Solar System
Life seems to be limited At about 125oC, protein and Surface: only the Earth’s surface is
to a temperature range of carbohydrate molecules, and in this temperature range. Sub-
-15oC to 115oC. In this the genetic material (e.g., DNA surface: the interior of the solid
range, liquid water can and RNA) start to break apart. planets and moons may be in this
still exist under certain Also, high temperatures cause temperature range.
conditions. the quick evaporation of water.
Earth and Venus are the Venus’s atmosphere is Of the solid planets and moons,
right size to hold a 100 times thicker than only Earth, Venus, and Titan have
sufficient atmosphere. Earth’s. It is made almost significant atmospheres. Mars’
Earth’s atmosphere is entirely of greenhouse atmosphere is about 1/100th that
about 100 miles thick. It gasses, making the surface of Earth’s, too small for significant
keeps the surface warm too hot for life. The four giant insulation or shielding.
and protects it from planets are completely made
radiation and small- to of gas.
medium sized
meteorites.
With a steady input of Light energy is a problem if it Surface: The inner planets get too
either light or chemical makes a planet too hot or if much sunlight for life. The outer
energy, cells can run there are too many harmful planets get too little.
the chemical reactions rays, such as ultraviolet. Too Sub-surface: Most solid planets and
necessary for life. many energy-rich chemicals moons have energy-rich chemicals.
is not a problem
All solid planets and Too many nutrients are not a Surface: Earth has a water cycle,
moons have the same problem. However, too active an atmosphere, and volcanoes to
general chemical a circulation system, such as circulate nutrients. Venus, Titan,
makeup, so nutrients the constant volcanism on Io, and Mars have nutrients and
are present. Those with Jupiter’s moon, Io, or the ways to circulate them to
a water cycle or churning atmospheres of the organisms.
volcanic activity can gas planets, interferes with Sub-surface: Any planet or moon
transport and replenish an organism’s ability to get with sub-surface water or molten
the chemicals required enough nutrients. rock can circulate and replenish
by living organisms. nutrients for organisms

Questions:
1. What are the factors that make the planet habitable?
2. What are the characteristics of planet Earth that makes it habitable?

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Earth is the only place in the known universe confirmed to host life and is the only one known for sure to have liquid water in
the surface. These are reasons why planet earth is a unique one: (1) It has liquid water; (2) Plate Tectonics; and (3) It has
atmosphere that shelters it from the worst of the sun’s rays. Earth is sometimes called “blue planet.” Planet Earth is habitable
because it has the right distance from the sun. Earth, Venus, and Mars may have similarities: (1) They all are terrestrial
planets, made of solid rocks and silicates; (2) They all have an atmosphere; (3) They all almost have the same time to rotate
on their axes; (4) Earth and Mars both have water; (5) They all have carbon dioxide; and (6) All have landforms. Earth, Venus,
and Mars have differences: (1) Venus has no water; (2) Venus and Mars don’t have oxygen; and (3) Earth has life forms.

THE SUBSYSTEM
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. determine the four subsystems of the Earth;
2. describe the characteristics of each subsystem;
3. trace the flow of matter and energy in the Earth’s subsystems; and
4. express one’s internalized role as steward of the four subsystems concerning the flow of matter and energy.

Subsystems of the Earth

The four subsystems of the Earth are:
1. Atmosphere – the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface primarily composed of different gases such as nitrogen and
oxygen. It is the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface, primarily composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Other gases
like argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and other inert gases made the remaining 1%. The atmosphere
supports life because animals and oxygen, and plants need both carbon dioxide and oxygen. In addition, the atmosphere
supports life indirectly by regulating climate. Air acts as both a blanket and a filter, retaining heat at night and shielding from
direct solar radiation during the day.

2. Biosphere – the zone of the Earth where all forms of life exist. This serves as the ecosystem of all living and non- living
organisms. It is the zone of Earth where all forms of life exist: in the sea, on land, and in water. It is sometimes called as the
large ecosystem. This is the zone that life inhabits. Biosphere is a very thin layer of the earth’s surface.

3. Geosphere – the solid part of the Earth that consists the entire planet from the center of the core to the outer crust. It
includes core, mantle, and crust of the Earth. This is the solid Earth, consisting of the entire planet from the center of the core
to the outer crust. It includes the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth.

4. Hydrosphere – the water part of the Earth that includes oceans and glaciers. It is the water part of the Earth which circulates
among oceans, continents, glaciers, and atmosphere. Oceans cover 71% of the Earth and contain 97.5% of its water.

Earth is a complex system made up of many smaller systems through which matter and energy are continuously cycled.
Energy and matter flow through Earth’s spheres: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Energy flows through
the atmosphere mostly by convection. How does matter and energy flow across the four subsystems of the Earth? The Earth
consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries matter and energy flows, the atmosphere (air), biosphere (living
things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (land). The atmosphere provides the geosphere with heat and energy needed
for rock breakdown and erosion. The biosphere receives gases, heat, and sunlight (energy) from the atmosphere. It receives
water from the hydrosphere and a living medium from the geosphere.

OUTPUT NO. 1: Let us save the Earth!

The human population has increased rapidly since the 1700’s. For most of human history, there were fewer than half-billion
people on Earth. In mid- 2009, 6.7 billion people inhabited our planet. Because of these, extensive pollution is everywhere.
As a student, what can you do to save not only a particular system, but the Earth itself?

 Think of different ways on how to save our Mother Earth.

 Create a slogan about your ideas. NO COPYING FROM THE INTERNET!
 Materials to be used: 1/8 illustration board, any coloring materials (pastel, crayons, water color), plastic cover for the final
output
 Post your output on your Facebook wall with the hashtag #SaveMotherEarth and tag your teacher. (Audience: PUBLIC)
 Posting on FB will be until February 24, 2022 (5pm)
 Submit your output on March 4, 2022.

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 MINERALS
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the examples of minerals;
2. explain the different characteristics of minerals;
3. differentiate minerals based on their properties; and
4. develop awareness on the importance of minerals around us.
Minerals make up the rocks beneath your feet, the soil that supports plants, and the deep rock of Earth’s mantle. Any thorough
study of Earth must include an understanding of minerals. But it is not sufficient to study minerals isolated from the rest of the
planet. Rather we can learn more by observing the ways that minerals interact with other Earth systems.

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Mineralogists use the criteria to determine whether a material is classified as a
mineral or not.

Characteristics of Minerals
1. naturally occurring
2. inorganic
3. homogeneous solid
4. definite chemical composition
5. orderly crystalline structure

Properties of Minerals
To identify minerals, mineralogists observe the following properties:
a. Color - mineral’s color may change depending on the surface.
b. Streak - color of mineral in powdered form.
c. Hardness - minerals resistance to scratching
d. Cleavage - mineral’s resistance to being broken and fracture
e. Crystalline structure or habit
f. Diaphaneity/amount of transparency - ability to allow light to pass through it. This is affected by chemical makeup of the
mineral sample.
g. Luster - how light is reflected off a surface
h. Tenacity - describes the minerals reaction to stress.
 Brittleness- a mineral turns into powder
 Malleability a mineral can be flattened by pounding with a hammer.
 Ductility- A mineral can be stretched into wire.
 Flexible but inelastic-Minerals are bent but they remain in the new position.
 Flexible and elastic- Minerals are bent, and they bring back to their original position.
 Sectility- ability of minerals to be sliced by a knife.

Prepared by:
Rachel Gail Buan Yosuico
Subject Teacher/SLM Writer

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