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Earth Science
Quarter 1- Module 1

Earth: The Living Planet and its

Subsystems

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Earth Science– Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1- Module 1 : Earth : The Living Planet and its Subsystems
First Edition, 2019

Earth Science
Quarter 1- Module 1
Earth: The Living Planet and its
Subsystems
The module is divided into two lessons, namely:
 Lesson 1 – Earth : The Living Planet
 Lesson 2 – Earth’s Four Subsystems

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the characteristics of Earth that are necessary to support life.
2. Explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose boundaries
matter and energy flow.
What I Know:

Directions: Read each question carefully.Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following gases is the most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?
A. Nitrogen C. Carbon dioxide
B. Oxygen D. Hydrogen
2. It is a living medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
A. atmosphere C. soil
B. hydrosphere D. ocean
3. Which of the following is not included in Earth’s subsystems?
A. photosphere C. atmosphere
B. geosphere D. hydrosphere
4. Hydrosphere includes all the_________on Earth.
A. gases C. landforms
B. water D. living things
5. The following are included in the geosphere except?
A. rock C. soil
B. water D. mineral
6. Which of the following is true about the role of soil in growth and life on Earth?
A. They do not affect growth and life on Earth.
B. There is no relationship between the soil and vegetation.
C. The soil provides nutrients, water, and substrate for vegetation.
D. The soil allows growth of different types of plants but not microorganisms.
7. Which of the following is not true about the hydrosphere?
A. It is also a way for transportation.
 B. It serves as thermostat and heat reservoir, especially the ocean.
C. Half of the Earth's surface is composed of the oceans and the seas.
D. The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor.
8. Which of the following is not true about the earth's atmosphere?
A. The earth’s atmosphere protects us from the sun’s radiation.
B. It contains the ozone layer that absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths.
C. Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the atmosphere, clouds, and
surface.
D. The atmosphere only consists of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and argon.
9. Which of the following is not true about the soil?
A. It is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
B. It is composed of mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and
organisms.
C. It promotes growth for plants by providing nutrients, water, and as a substrate
for anchorage of roots.
D. It produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water and nutrient cycle, and
prevents soil and wind erosion.
10. The following listed below are the characteristics of Earth that help in the
proliferation of life,except___________.
A. The atmosphere prevents the entry of solar radiation.
B. Some forms of the hydrosphere serve as ways for transportation.
C. The presence of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes the Earth
habitable.
D. The soil is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
11. Which of the following is true about the Earth’s subsystems?
A. Earth’s subsystems are similar to the subsystems of other planets.
B. Each subsystem did not change since the formation of the Earth.
C. Earth’s subsystems interact with each other making life possible on Earth.
D. Each subsystem works independently and does not depend on other subsystems.
12. Which of the following is true about the geosphere?
A. It is the habitat for some species of plants and animals.
B. It prevents the penetration of ultraviolet rays from the Sun.
C. It is the main source of water on Earth.
D. It provides oxygen needed by animals.
13. What will happen if the atmosphere on Earth is removed?
A. The Earth will be able to sustain life.
B. Ultraviolet rays will easily penetrate the Earth.
C. Solar energy will not reach the Earth’s surface.
D. The Earth will maintain its current temperature.
14. All of the following is true about the interaction of the biosphere with other
subsystems,except____________.
A. Organisms in the biosphere increase the amount of water in the hydrosphere.
B. Organisms in the biosphere consume water from the hydrosphere for survival.
C. Organisms in the biosphere form parts of the geosphere when they decompose
into smaller substances.
D. Organisms in the biosphere maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere
through consumption and excretion of gases.
15. Which of the following is true about the hydrosphere?
A. Freshwater is greater than the amount of saltwater on Earth.
B. The water on Earth is stationary.
C. Ice and water vapor suspended in the atmosphere are included in the
hydrosphere.
D. Water can move from the Earth’s surface to the air by precipitation and then fall
back to Earth by evaporation.
 Earth : The Living Planet and its Subsytems

Imagine that you have a garden. Get one plant that could fit in a pot but do not put soil
when you transfer it. Put the plant inside a box and leave it for one week.

1. What do you think will happen to the plant?

2. How would you relate this scenario with the different characteristics of the Earth?

Activity 1

Directions: Read the situation below and do what is being asked.

Imagine that you are part of NASA’s ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration
) special mission and you are tasked to discuss the things needed to replicate the Earth’s
system in another planet.

List down at least five things necessary to enable life in that planet.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LESSON 1. Earth : The Living Planet

Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most

complex life forms including humans. It is undeniable that the planet we live in is a rare
planet as it is the only planet in our solar system that permits life. The different
characteristics of Earth are responsible for the proliferation of life.

Earth’s Atmosphere

The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350 ppm (
parts per million ) carbon dioxide, and other components. The table on the next page shows
the major components in the atmosphere and their relative concentrations.
 The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide permits life on Earth. Carbon dioxide is
used by photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and algae, to convert the energy from the
sun to usable energy through the process of photosynthesis. The oxygen makes it livable for
living organisms including humans for respiration and for our cells to function.

Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation. Thirty percent of the
radiation is reflected away by the atmosphere, clouds, and the earth's surface. Another 25%
is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds, and the remaining 45% is absorbed by the earth’s
surface.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil is a mixture of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms. It is a
living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation. The soil promotes growth for
plants by providing nutrients, water, and as a substrate for anchorage of roots. In return,
vegetation produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water and nutrient cycle, and
prevents soil and wind erosion. This mutual relationship of the soil and vegetation makes our
planet livable.

Earth’s Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor. Nearly
three-quarters of the earth’s surface is the sea and the ocean. The ocean houses many species
of marine life and diverse mineral resources. Other forms of water include river, streams, and
lakes. Other than being a water reservoir, these forms of water are all sources of fish and
shellfish that we consume. They also serve as thermostat and heat reservoir, especially the
ocean. They also serve as ways for transportation.

LESSON 2. Earth’s Four Subsystems

The Earth is comprised of four major subsystems. These subsystems are also called
the “spheres of the Earth.” They are atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Atmosphere

The word atmosphere comes from the Greek roots atmos which means gas, and
sphaira which means globe or ball. The atmosphere makes up of all the gases on Earth. It
extends outward about 10 000 km from the surface of the Earth. It is composed of 78.1%
nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350 ppm carbon dioxide, and other components.

The atmosphere has different layers – troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,

thermosphere, and exosphere.

 The troposphere extends to about 14.5 km above the Earth's surface. It is the
lowest layer where the weather forms.
  The stratosphere is found 14.5 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer
that protects the Earth from the Sun's harmful UV radiation is found in this layer.
 The mesosphere extends from 50 to 85 km above the Earth's surface. It protects the
Earth from the impact of space debris.
 The thermosphere is found 85 to 600 km above the Earth's surface. It has charged
particles that are affected by the Earth's magnetic field. The particles create the
Auroras or Northern and Southern lights.
 The exosphere is the farthest layer. It extends to about 10 000 km above the
Earth's surface.

Geosphere

Geo is a Greek root which means ground. Geosphere includes all the soil, rocks, and
minerals present in the crust to the core of the Earth. It is divided into three layers namely
crust, mantle, and core.

The crust is the outermost layer of the geosphere. It is made mostly of silicate materials.
There are two different types of crust, the oceanic and continental crusts. The thin oceanic
crust that lies beneath the oceanic floors is about 5 to 10 km thick. On the other hand, the
thicker continental crust that makes up the continents is about 15 to 70 km thick.

The mantle, which lies just below the crust, is made mostly of silicate rocks rich in
magnesium and iron. It is about 2900 km thick. It has increasing temperatures at
increasing depths. For instance, the layer with the lowest temperature is the one right
beneath the crust. This layer, which is soft enough to flow, causes the plates of the crust to
move. On the other hand, the layer with the highest temperature is found in contact with
the heat-producing core.

The core, which has a radius of 3400 km, is the innermost layer of the Earth. It is made
up of iron and nickel. It is the source of internal heat because it contains radioactive
materials that release energy as they decay into more stable substances.
Hydrosphere

Hydro is a Greek root which means water. Hydrosphere is composed of all the water on
Earth in any form: water vapor, liquid water, and ice. It is comprised of 97.5% saltwater
and 2.5% freshwater. It includes all bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and
marshes. Clouds and rain are also part of the hydrosphere.

The water on Earth is constantly moving. It moves through the oceans in currents. Warm
waters in the tropics move toward the poles while cold water from the polar regions move
toward the tropics. Water also flows into streams and rivers and through the rocks
underground. It can also move from the Earth’s surface to the air by evaporation and then
fall back to Earth as precipitation. It even moves into and out of the bodies of organisms.

Biosphere

Bio is a Greek root that means life. The biosphere is comprised of all living things. It
includes all microbes, plants, and animals. It extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere
where insects and birds can be found. It also reaches the deep parts of the oceans where
marine organisms can still survive.

Organisms interact with the other spheres to survive. Many organisms need oxygen and
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to carry out life processes. Water, which comprises the
hydrosphere, is also important to organisms. Finally, the rocks, soil, and minerals
constitute the geosphere also support life.

Activity 2

Directions: Answer the following questions.You will be rated based on the scoring rubric
below.

1. What function does ozone layer play in supporting life on Earth?

2. How do oxygen and carbon dioxide make the earth habitable?

3. How does Earth’s atmosphere protect us from the Sun's radiation?

4. How does the atmosphere support other subsystems?

Scoring Rubric
Points Description
4 Student has high level of understanding of the concept
3 Sudent has an understanding of the concept
2 Student has limited understanding of the concept
1 Student has lack of understanding of the concept

Directions: Complete the unfinished statements below. You will be rated on each part based
on the scoring rubic below.

I know now something about _____________________________________________________

First, I have learned that_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Second, I discovered that ________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Finally, I realized that ____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Scoring Rubric
Points Description
4 Student has high level of understanding of the concept
3 Sudent has an understanding of the concept
2 Student has limited understanding of the concept
1 Student has lack of understanding of the concept

Directions: Make a concept map and use it to explain how the geosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere, and biosphere are interconnected. You will be rated based on the scoring rubric
found on the next page.

Scoring Rubric
Points Description
20  Student has high level of understanding of the concept.
 Illustration shows 100 % correct interrelated elements.
15  Sudent has an understanding of the concept.
 Illustration shows correct interrelated elements.
10  Student has limited understanding of the concept.
 Illustration shows few correct interrelated elements.
5  Student has lack of understanding of the concept.
 Illustration has lack of correct interrelated elements.
 Directions: Answer the following questions.You will be rated based on the scoring
rubric found on the next page.

1. Name the gases of the atmosphere and give the percentage that each supplies.

2. How is the atmosphere subdivided? Discusss each layer.

3. How do the layers of the Earth differ from each other?

4. Explain how the unique characteristics of the Earth make it a habitable one?

5. What is the importance of studying the interaction among the Earth’s four
subsystem?

Scoring Rubric
Points Description
4 Student has high level of understanding of the concept
3 Student has an understanding of the concept
2 Student has limited understanding of the concept
1 Student has lack of understanding of the concept

References

https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/5468ba022294ee085c000082/curriculum#curriculum

https://www.google.com/search?q=earth%27s+subsystems&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH877PH877&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X
&ved=2ahUKEwih1M64zYrqAhWSdd4KHdd8DXYQ_AUoAXoECA4QAw&biw=1280&bih=578#imgrc=7SsTnw8ZL6LfDM

https://www.google.com/search?q=gases+in+the+atmosphere&tbm=isch&chips=q:gases+in+the+atmosphere,g_1:percent
age:7mM0ndw2jbQ%3D&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH877PH877&hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwi9iNnAzorqAhUD4pQKHWouC0UQ4lYoAXoE
CAEQFg&biw=1263&bih=578#imgrc=4J9JmgBBG0WzAM&imgdii=qWRRzjtpM2bxpM

Earth Science by G. Tyler Miller Jr et al., 2016

Earth and Life Science by Gloria G. Salandanan, Ruben E. Faltado, and Merle B. Lopez
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