Prepared by:

JOAN A. DADIVAS-AMANCIO, LPT

Module 2 & 3
SCIENCE 321

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Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Define Population and Environment
 Distinguish species diversity
 Compare and cite examples about primary and secondary succession

LESSON IV: POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES

DISCUSSION:
Population – is a group of people or animals of a particular kind that live in a place. It is
composed of all members belonging to the same species living in the same area.
Community – all the population of all organisms that the same area comprises
community. It maybe small or large depending on the number of populations that interact with
one another in a community.
Some characteristics of Population:
1. Uniform Distribution – also known as “even distribution”. Though not common in nature,
may happen if there is an acute competition for resources such as food, water and space.
2. Random Distribution – It is rare in nature as biotic factors, such as the interactions with
neighboring individuals, and Abiotic factors that cause organisms to be either clustered or spread
apart.
3. Clumping Distribution – is the most common pattern. It can be found when individuals in a
population are clustered together, creating some patches with many individuals and some patches
with no individuals.
Population Density – is a measurement of population per unit are or unit volume; it is a
quantity of type number density. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and most of the
time to humans.
Growth of Population – is determined by number of members that are born and those
that move in (immigration), as well as that die and those who move out (emigration) of the area
where the population is found.
Community Relationship:
1. Mutualism – one relationship benefits both species involved.
2. Commensalism – is a kind of relationship where one species is benefited but the other is not
benefited or harmed.
3. Parasitism – one organism is benefited while the host is harmed.
 Internal Parasites – are parasites that live inside the body of the host.
 External Parasites – are parasites that live outside their host.
4. Predation – an interaction where organism called the prey (harmed) is killed and the one that
kills is the predator (benefited)

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5. Competition – an interaction that occurs where both group of organism use the same habitat.
Species Diversity and Stability
Species Diversity – is the number of different species that are presented in a given
community. Species diversity consist of three components: Species richness – a sample count of
species ; taxonomic or phylogenetic diversity – genetic relationship between different groups
of species ; species evenness – quantities how equal the abundance of the species are.
Stability – are species that existed in a community for a long period of time. Stability of
of ecosystem is an important corollary of sustainability.
Ecological Succession
- Is the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over
time.
Types of Ecological Succession
 Primary Succession – occurs following an opening of a habitat.
 Secondary Succession – is a response to a disturbance.

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:

A. Essay
1. How does human population growth affect biodiversity? (10 points)

2. Why is human population important? (10 points)

3. Describe a community you belong to. (10 points)

4. As a student, how will you contribute to improve you community? (10 points)

5. In your own opinion, what role has medical technology played in population growth? (10
points)

B. True/False
1. A series of events that bring life back in an area. - What is succession?
o True
o False
2. The role of an organism to live successfully in their environment. - Host
o True
o False

3. Population Density = number of individuals/area  Population Density Formula

o True
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 o False

4. Secondary succession, unlike primary succession, occurs in place where an ecosystem already
exists.
o True
o False

5. An environment that provides the things an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce. -
Limiting Factors.
o True
o False

C. Identification
1. An organism that lives on/inside of another. _______________

2. Organisms that is being killed. _______________.

3. A process where a characteristics that makes an individual better suited to its environment
may eventually become common in that species.______________.

4. A behavioral or physical characteristics of an organism that allows it to be successful in its

environment. ________________.

5. What does an organism interact with in its environment? ______________.

D. Definition
1. Birth rate- ____________________________________________________.

2. Biotic Factor - _________________________________________________.

3. Immigration- __________________________________________________.

4. Abiotic Factor- ________________________________________________.

5. Limiting Factors- ______________________________________________.

6. Mutualism- ___________________________________________________.

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7. Commensalism-________________________________________________.

8. Parasitism-____________________________________________________.

9. Habitat -______________________________________________________.

10. Photosynthesis-_______________________________________________.

E. Essay
1. What do organisms obtain from their environment?

2. What does an organisms interact with its environment?

3. What are the four limiting factors?

4. What are the 3 main interactions among organisms?

5. Who is Charles Darwin?

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Explain how environment is affected by sociological and economic impact.
 Explain how environment is affected by sociological and economic impact.
 Enumerate the current environmental laws and environmental programs in our country

LESSON V: HUMANKIND AND ENVIRONMENT

DISCUSSION:
Social worldwide environmental problem threaten our planet earth today. Notable of
these are depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, pollution of air, water and land,
destruction of forests, coral reefs, mangroves and disappearance of our endangered species.

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Sociological and Economic Impact
One of the current major problems is overpopulation. Overpopulation inevitably brings
about overcrowding, stiff competition for available jobs, poverty, increase in unemployment and
crime rates as well as increase in health, sanitation and population problems.
More than 50% of our population today is below the poverty line. It means that many
Filipinos do not have enough resources to meet their basic needs such as food, clothing, and
shelter.
We, Filipinos, are well-known for the ningas-cogon attitude. Filipinos are also known for
the bahala na attitude. When doing gets rough, we leave everything to fate. However, this
fatalistic attitude has not solved any of our problems.
Generally, human beings have an attitude of superiority over nature. We assume have our
natural resources are limitless and can be had anytime. But today, people are being reeducated to
be aware of environmental problems and be concerned about the environment. Radio, newspaper
and TV ads are filled with these environmental awareness programs.
Technological Impact
The advent of technology brought about progress and improved our way of life.
However, there are trade-offs. For instance, geothermal plants provide electricity. But they also
pollute the air with obnoxious and harmful gases like sulfuric acid and cause sickness to people
living nearby.
Political Impact
The Philippine government has promulgated a number of laws for the protection of the
environment. Some of these are laws on reforestation, total log ban and protection of flora and
fauna particularly the endangered species.

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:

A. Essay
1. How does humankind relate to the environment? (10 points)

2. How can we save our environment? (10 points)

3. Explain the well-known Filipinos ningas-cogon attitude and bahala na attitude a (20 points)

4. How does Technology relate to the environment? (10 points)

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B. Activity
In a short bond paper, make your own Environmental laws and programs in your
community with explanations why you choose that laws and programs.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Distinguish the effects of earthquakes on the e environment.
 Knowing the safety precautions during and after the earthquake.
 Identify the effects of volcanic eruptions on the environment.
 Describe the effects of typhoons and floods on the environment.

LESSON VI: ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS: NATURAL CALAMITIES

DISCUSSION:
A Natural Calamities is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the
Earth; examples are floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and
other geologic processes. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or property damage, and
typically leaves some economic damage in its wake, the severity of which depends on the
affected population’s resilience or ability to recover and also on the infrastructure available.
What are natural disasters?
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard (e.g. flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic
eruption, earthquake, or landslide) that affects the environment, and leads to financial,
environmental and/or human losses.
 Volcanoes – are hazardous to wildlife and humans alike.
 Effects: It causes Volcanic Gases, Landslides, lahars, Ash Fall
 Earthquake – is a violent shaking of the ground.
 Effects: Release an incredible amount of energy and are able to destroy bridges,
buildings, and even entire cities in just a few minutes.
 Cyclone, Hurricane, Tornado, Typhoon – is a fierce storm winds that spin around it in a
giant circle. Buildings can be destroyed and cars can be overturned.
 Effects: destructive
 Monsoon – is a wind current in Southern Asia, blowing northeast during the summer and
Southwest during the winter. During the Summer, the monsoon brings heavy rains to
southern Asia and Africa, while in the Winter it causes the drier seasons.
 Effects: The effects of the winter monsoons are very different from the summer
monsoon. During winter monsoons, the wind blows from the land to ocean, while in

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 the summer it is the opposite. This can cause major climate changes throughout the
entire world, depending on the location.
 Avanche –is a movement of snow, ice an rock down a mountainside.
 Flood – is caused by an overflow of water which covers the land that is usually dry.
 Effects: make an enormous impact on the environment and society.
 Drought – is the lack of rain for a long time.
 Effects: can weaken an ecosystem by stressing plant and animal resources.
 Forest Fire or Bushfire – are caused by lightning, sparks of electricity or careless people.
 Effects: the physical, chemical, and biological impacts of fire on ecosystem resources
and the environment.
 Tsunami – is a series of tremendous waves generated by a massive underwater disturbance.
 Effects: capable of causing substantial amount of damage.
 Electrical storms – composed of lightning and thunder, typically accompanied by heavy
precipitation.
 Effects: affects minimal area and rarely kills or injures humans and animals.

EVALUATION/ ASSESSMENT:
Essay
1. What are the Natural Calamities in the Philippines? (10 points)

2. Why are the Philippines prone to natural calamities? (10 points)

3. How does climate change influence regional instability? (10 points)

4. Who is responsible for consequences of climate change in the world in future? (10points)

5. What are the reasons for natural calamities? (10 points)

Activity:
Draw an illustration and explain in a short coupon bond that shows Human impacts on
the Environment. (Make it neat and clean).

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Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Distinguish the effects of alcohol on the human body.
 Explain the various forms of pollution.
 Differentiate between an active and passive smoker

LESSON VII: PERSONAL POLLUTION

DISCUSSION:
Personal Pollution is a kind of pollution that we produce and create, it is the pollution of
our body and lifestyle with harmful actions.
Sources of Personal Pollutants
 Food Additives
- Is a substance added to food to improve its flavor, color, texture, or resistance to
spoilage.It enhances the shelf-life of food products. Food additives may be
intentional or incidental (unintentional) natural or artificial.
a. Intentional additives – are substances added on purpose to perform
specific functions.
b. Incidental (unintentional) – substances which become part of a food-
product through some phase of production, processing, storage or
packaging.
c. Natural additive – are substances derived from natural sources such as
annatto, chlorophyll and carotene food colors.
d. Artificial additives – are substances that are produced synthetically
such as saccharin and cyclamate sweeteners.
 Medicines
Is a substances used to treat a disease. Medicine can have undesirable effects.
This might happen if it is taken in too large quantifies or for too long period of
time. Under these conditions, many kinds of medicine can be poisonous.
 Dangerous Drugs and Narcotics
Drugs are needed to prevent or cure disease. These are drugs which are regulated
and some are restricted. Regulated drugs are those which can be taken by a patient
but under the administration of a physician.
 Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains more than 2,000 substances which have been identified
and considered as carcino-genic or irritants. Among these substances are nicotine,

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 tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, radio-active
isotopes like polonium and radon. Aside from being carcinogenic, nicotine has
been found to be addictive.
What Smoking can do to our body?
 It causes Emphysema
 Its causes circulatory and heart disorders
 It causes early death
 May cause miscarriage or stillbirth
Two types of Smoking
We have to types of smoking: Active smoking is the inhaling of smoke by the smoker.
While Passive Smoking is the inhaling of smoke by non-smokers in some smoke-filled places.
We are exposed to two different kinds of smoke: first, exhaled mainstream smoke,
which comes from the lungs of people exhaling smoke, and the second, the side-stream smoke,
which comes from the burning tip of a cigarette.
 Alcoholism
Is a chronic disorder characterized by an uncontrollable need to drink alcoholic
beverages. The disease is a serious form of drug abuse since it alters the functions
of the human body, including the brain.
Effects of Alcohol
Intoxication is said to begin when the alcohol level in the reaches about 50 mg per 100
ml, but some people have tolerance for alcohol than others. It means that more drinks they
become intoxicated.
Excessive intake of alcohol may cause
 Ulcers
 Inflammation and bleeding of the intestines
 Slurred speech
 Uncoordinated movement of an intoxicated person are the effects of alcohol on the
nervous system.
 Also lowers the male hormone, testosterone
 It can damage the liver
 Can damage the heart’s muscle cells
 Inflammation of the nerves known as peripheral neuritis.
 Cosmetics
Used or done in order to improve a person’s appearance

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EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:
Essay
1. What are the causes and effects of personal pollution? (10 points)

2. Give the advantages and disadvantages of personal pollution. (10 points)

3. You as members of the community, how can you help in the campaign against smoking? (10
points)

4. Give 2 ways to stop personal pollution. (10 points)

5. How can we persuade people to take care about pollution? (10 points)

Activity:
Make a slogan that shows your support in our environment. Put it in a short coupon bond
paper.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Describe some environmental episodes and their effects on the environment
 Enumerate the sources of Air Pollution
 Define Greenhouse effect and acid rain
 Distinguish the effects of air pollution on the human body

LESSON VIII: AIR POLLUTION

DISCUSSION:
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases,
particulate, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth’s atmosphere. It may cause
diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms
such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. Both human
activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.
Effects of Air Pollution
Long term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart
disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continuous exposure to air

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pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical
conditions in the elderly.
Main Causes of Air Pollution
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels
2. Pollution from vehicles.
Two types of Air Pollution
 There are many types of primary pollutants, including carbon dioxides, nitrogen oxides,
sulfur oxides, particulates, lead, and volatile organic compounds.
 Secondary pollutants form from chemical reactions that occur when pollution is exposed
to sunlight.
Global Effects of Air Pollution
One of the most significant effects of air pollution is on climate change, particularly
global warming. As a result of the growing worldwide consumption of fossil fuels, carbon
dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased steadily since 1900, and the rate of increase is
accelerating.

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
Essay
1. How Air gets polluted? (10 points)

2. Give some ways to reduce Air Pollution. (10 points)

3. What is the effect of Air Pollution in the environment? (10 points)

4. How do we prevent Air Pollution? (10 points)

5. How does Air Pollution affect our health? (10 points)

Activity:
In a short coupon bond paper, make your own “Pyramid of effects” from Air Pollution
and explain on how to prevent it.

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References:

 Environmental Science: A Shared Responsibility Towards the Earth by: Florenda I.

Santiago, Salvacion L. Dorado, Lourdes E. Contreras, Ma. Salvacion G. Aquino, Elsinor
P. Retodno, Melchor B. Lamorena pp. 31-49

 Environmental Science: A Shared Responsibility Towards the Earth by: Florenda

I. Santiago, Salvacion L. Dorado, Lourdes E. Contreras, Ma. Salvacion G.
Aquino, Elsinor P. Retodno, Melchor B. Lamorena pp. 51-63

 Environmental Science: A Shared Responsibility Towards the Earth by: Florenda

I. Santiago, Salvacion L. Dorado, Lourdes E. Contreras, Ma. Salvacion G.
Aquino, Elsinor P. Retodno, Melchor B. Lamorena pp. 64-76.

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