Senior High School

Earth and Life

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 2

Unifying Themes
in the Study of Life
Earth and Life Science – Senior High School
Quarter 2 – Module 2: Unifying Themes in the Study of Life
Second Edition, 2021
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Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Compiler/Writer: JACQUELINE M. GABUCAN

MARIA ROSANDEE F. TABADA
Content Editors/Reviewers:
Ms. Celia C. Gepitulan, Principal I, Regino Mercado Night High School
Mrs. Jocelyn C. Butanas, Master Teacher I, Talamban National High School
Mr. Bonnie James A. Saclolo, Teacher III, Cebu City National Science High School
Dr. Rey A. Kimilat, Head Teacher V, Abellana National School
Language Editor:
Mrs. Roquesa B. Sabejon, PSDS-ND7
Management Team:
Chairperson: Dr. Rhea Mar A. Angtud, Schools Division Superintendent
Dr. Bernadette A. Susvilla, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent
Mrs. Grecia F. Bataluna, CID Chief
Mrs. Vanessa L. Harayo, EPS-LRMS
Dr.. Raylene S. Manawatao, EPS-Science

Printed in the Philippines by

Department of Education – Division of Cebu City

Office Address: New Imus Road, Barangay Day-as, Cebu City
Telephone No.: (032) 253 2559
E-mail Address: [email protected]

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 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
understand the unifying themes in the study of life. The scope of this module permits it
to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course.
The module has one lesson, namely, Unifying Themes in the Study of Life
Content Standard:
The learners demonstrate an understanding of how living creatures started to
flourish and trace the emerging facts of the beginning of Life in our planet.
Performance Standard:
You shall be able to value life by taking good care of all beings, humans, plants, and animals.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. describe how unifying themes (e.g., structure and function, evolution, and
ecosystems) in the study of life show the connections among living things and how they
interact with each other and with their environment. (S11/12LT-IIa-3) and
2. explain the interconnectedness of living things with one another.

What I Know
DIRECTIONS: Write the letter of the correct answer in a separate sheet of paper.
1. What are called the "building blocks of life "?
A. amino acids B. cells C. producers D. tissues
2. Which trophic level has the most energy available?
A. producer B. tertiary consumer C. primary consumer D. secondary consumer
3. What is the term for the specific environment of the ecosystem in which organisms live?
A. species B. habitat C. niche D. biotic factor
4. In how many directions does energy flow in an ecosystem?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 4 D. many
5. Which type of reproduction involves the fusion of a male and female gamete?
A. asexual B. evolution C. heredity D. sexual
6. What is the producer in the energy–flow diagram shown?
sun pechay caterpillar bird
A. bird B. caterpillar C. pechay D. sun
7. Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
A. air B. corn C. rat D. tree
8. What do you call a heritable trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its
present environment?
A. adaptation B. homeostasis C. metabolism D. reproduction
9. Which word refers to a condition where all physical, chemical, and internal conditions of a
living organism is maintained in a steady state?
A. adaptation B. homeostasis C. metabolism D. reproduction

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10. Tapeworms consume the host’s partially digested food and deprive the latter of food and
nourishment. Which symbiotic relationship exists between tapeworm and host?
A. commensalism B. mutualism C. parasitism D. predation
11. What is the difference between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells _________________ while prokaryotic cells _______________.
A. contain nuclei; do not
B. are usually smaller; can be large
C. are simple; have many internal structures
D. all of the above
12. Which of the following is NOT a mutualistic relationship?
A. bacteria living in the gut of humans
B. an ascaris worm feeding from its host
C. a shark using an aquatic cleaning station
D. a bumblebee collecting pollen from a flower
13. In a natural community, what will likely cause a disruption or imbalance among species?
A. overpopulation C. introduction of a foreign species
B. removal of a predator D. all of the above
14. Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization
from the least complex to the most complex level?
A. organ, organism, tissue, organelle, molecule
B. organelle, tissue, biosphere, ecosystem, population
C. organism, community, biosphere, molecule, tissue, organ
D. organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
15. Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A. Tissues exist within organs which exist within organ systems.
B. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
C. Organelles exist within cells which exist within tissues.
D. Communities exist within ecosystems which exist in the biosphere.
Lesson UNIFYING THEMES IN THE STUDY OF LIFE
Life has evolved through time, according to the different theories discussed in
module 1. It is believed that life started from non-living organic molecules which evolved into
single-celled organisms. These single-celled organisms then formed more complex
membrane bound organelles capable of reproducing its own.
If we look closely around us, we can realize that we are all connected to each other.

What’s In
A. Directions: Complete the crossword by filling in with the correct terms. Write answers on
a separate sheet of paper.
Theories on the Beginning of Life
Across:
2. life may have originated from the ocean floor
3. life started from a complex RNA
4 bacteria can give rise to other bacteria
6. organisms were probably formed out of organic
chemicals

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Down:
1. lightning is an important factor to how life started
2. building blocks of life came from another planet

Who’s that Scientist!

B. DIRECTIONS: Name the scientist(s) who made the following experiments and studies.
Write the answers on a separate sheet of paper.
______________________________ 1. Swan neck flask experiment
______________________________ 2. Panspermia (Cosmozoic theory)
______________________________ 3. Biogenetic Theory/ Biogenesis
______________________________ 4. Primordial Soup Theory

What’s New

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 From these characteristics
of living organisms, what do you
think are other factors essential to
survive and live with other
organisms in harmony?

Written by Jacqueline M.
Gabucan using Canva

What Is It
Hello dear learners! Today, we are going to find how biotic and abiotic factors interact
to sustain life? Organisms depend on one another to be alive and for survival purposes.
Like Bear and Otter, let us find what makes us live in harmony with other organisms.
Biological System
A system is defined as an organized group where all its parts are related and
interact to form a whole.
A biosphere is composed of smaller units called ecosystems. An ecosystem of a
particular place includes all living and non-living life forms including the natural habitat. It can
be small or large. Grassland, a multistoried apartment, supermarkets, ocean (aquatic
ecosystem), zoo, and forest are all examples of ecosystems we find around us.

Figure 1. The Ecosystem

Credit: shorturl.at/efprE
Figure 2, shows that a group of organisms forms a population. A population forms a
community which in turn make up the ecosystem.
A population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area
while community is composed of all the populations of different species that live in the same
area and interact with one another.

organisms population community Ecosystem Biosphere

Figure 2: Structural Organization

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 Figure 3 shows examples of the
different types of ecosystems. Each
ecosystem is a niche of different
organisms living for survival. In biology,
niche refers to the way in which an
organism fits into an ecological
community or ecosystem.
The interactions between
different components in the ecosystem
happens through two processes, energy
flow and ecological recycling or the
biogeochemical cycles - Water
Cycle or Hydrologic Cycle, Carbon-
Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, and Oxygen
Cycle. The figure below shows how
biotic and abiotic factors play important
roles for the survival of the organisms Figure 3: Types of Ecosystems
Credit: shorturl.at/egzQ8
living in a particular ecosystem.
From Figure 4 above, each organism
interacts continuously with its environment.
Through photosynthesis, plants take up carbon
dioxide from the air, water from the soil, and use
energy from the sun. In return, plants release
oxygen which will be used by other organisms.
Interactions between plants and other organisms
result in cycling of chemical nutrients within an
ecosystem. This is an example of a biotic – abiotic
relationship.
Biotic and biotic interactions also happen
in an ecosystem. Organisms in an ecosystem
interact to form symbiotic relationships.
Figure 4: Themes in the study of Life Symbiosis comes from two Greek words syn-,
Credit: shorturl.at/hmzL9
which means together or with, and -vios, which
means life. It literally means living together. It describes an ecological relationship between
two organisms from different species. In an ecosystem, we can find different symbiotic
relationship that exists, such as mutualism, predation, competition, commensalism, parasitism
as most common.
Table 1. Summary of Types of Symbiotic Relationships
Relationship Description Harmful vs Helpful Example
Predator and Prey One organism eats the One is helped, one is killed Cat eating a mouse
other
Parasitism One animal feeds off One is helped, one is deprived Tick living off a deer
another of nourishment
Commensalism One species benefits from One is helped, one is not Barnacles and a
another affected whale
Mutualism Both rely on each other Both are helped Flower and insect
Competition Organisms strive for the One is helped, one lacks the Cat and dogs
same resources needed resources compete for the
same food
Credit: shorturl.at/hFG29

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 Every type of symbiotic relationship is essential and
beneficial to all organisms because it maintains balance in
the ecosystem. If the population if one type of organism
declines or perishes, this will affect the balance in the
ecosystem and may bring harmful effects to other
organisms. Without symbiotic relationships in nature, many
ecosystems would suffer and may eventually cease to
flourish.
But wait! Our body is also considered a system! We
make use of the interactions of the different tissues,
muscles, body organs to help us move, think, and work. The
different parts of our body coordinates with the other parts
whose functions also affect the other organs and systems of Figure 5: Human Body
our body. Systems
Figure 5 shows examples of the different human Credit: shorturl.at/lABF6
organ systems. This will be further discussed in the
succeeding modules of this quarter.
For organisms to stay alive, all organisms in
the ecosystem needs energy. Our body too needs
energy to maintain homeostasis, a condition
where all physical, chemical, and internal
conditions of a living organism is maintained in a
steady state.

Figure 6: Energy Transfer Credit: shorturl.at/hmM09

Energy Transfer and Transformation

For us to sustain life and make each living organism alive, energy needs to flow
through an ecosystem. Energy from sunlight is converted to chemical energy in plants, which
is then passed on to consumers - carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. All organisms must
perform work, which requires energy. Chemical energy is not converted to mechanical energy.
Moving, growing, reproducing, and other biochemical activities require energy.
How do living organisms use energy?
Energy is the ability to do work. The sun is our main source of energy. Plants,
through photosynthesis, produce sugar and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. The sun
provides the energy for photosynthesis. Cells, in turn, utilize sugar as a source of
energy. Cellular respiration is the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the
principal molecule for storing and transferring energy in cells.
How is energy transferred?
From Figure 7, the producers are placed at the
bottom since they utilize the energy from the sun. Producers
could be phytoplankton, seagrasses, and algae in a marine
ecosystem. They are also called autotrophs, organisms that
can make their own food examples are the green plants.
These plants will be eaten by primary consumers that can be
herbivores or heterotrophs.
Figure 7: Trophic Level
Other consumer type such as the
Credit: http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/330/330F19_18.html
carnivores and omnivores and

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predators are present. Carnivores are organisms that feed on another animals while
omnivores feed on either plant or animals. Another group of consumers are called
scavengers, detritus feeders, and decomposers. Scavengers, such as vultures, flies, crows,
hyenas, and some species of sharks, beetles, and ants, feed on dead organisms. Detritus
feeders live off parts of dead organisms. Crabs, carpenter ants, termites, earth worms, and
wood beetles are detritus feeders. Decomposers on the other hand, which include bacteria
and fungi, does the breakdown of organic materials from the remains of the organisms. All
these organisms play a vital role in the food chain. As one goes up the trophic level, what
happens to the amount of energy? The amount of energy gained decreases.
Metabolism
It is defined as the process by which our body converts what we intake like food and
drinks into energy. It is a biochemical process which combines all nutrients with oxygen to
release the energy our body needs to be able to maintain vital body functions such as the
function of the brain, breathing, and heart rate. Metabolism is related to nutrition and the
existence of nutrients through which the cells can obtain energy.
Cellular processes such as building and breaking down complex molecules occur
through stepwise chemical reactions. Some of these chemical reactions are spontaneous and
release energy; whereas others require energy to proceed. Just as living things must
continually consume food to replenish what they have used; cells must continually obtain more
energy to replenish the energy used in chemical reactions that constantly take place. All of
the chemical reactions that happen inside cells, including those that use and release energy,
are the cell’s metabolism.
This energy gained by organisms is very important to keep the cell alive and healthy.
What is a cell?
The Cell: An Organism’s Basic Unit of Structure and Function
Since our body is a system, its basic unit is the cell. The cell (from Latin cella, meaning
"small room") is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known organisms.
Cells are the "building blocks of life". The activities of organisms are all based on the activities
of cells.
Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-enclosed organelles, including a DNA-containing
nucleus while prokaryotic cells lack such organelles. Below is a tabular presentation of the
comparison between a eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic cell.
Table 2. Comparison between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic Cell Prokaryotic Cell
Organisms Plants, animals, and fungi have Only bacteria and cyanobacteria have
eukaryotic cells prokaryotic cells
Cell wall No (animals); Yes (plants) Yes
Centrioles Yes (all animals and some lower No
plant forms)
Cilia and Flagella Yes, simple Yes, complex
Golgi Complex Yes No
Lysosomes Common in animals; Not No
present in plants
Peroxisomes Yes No
Nucleus Yes No
Plasma membrane Yes Yes
Chromosomes Several Chromosomes One long DNA strand
Ribosomes Yes Yes
Endoplasmic Reticulum Present Absent
Credit: shorturl.at/qvwMR

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 Cells reproduce, they undergo mitosis and meiosis. What is the difference between
these two?
Reproduction and Inheritance
How much do you look
like your parents or siblings?
Generations of different
organisms have flourished and
continue to live. Not only do they
reproduce their own kind, but Figure 9: The Continuity of Life
they have also passed the traits shorturl.at/qEGMY
to their offspring. During the union of the sperm and egg cell, genetic information carried by
each parent cell undergoes meiosis and mitosis. It is because genetic information encoded
in the nucleotide sequences of DNA transmits heritable information from parents to offspring.

Figure 10: Types of Reproduction

Credit: shorturl.at/bjrwD
Form and Function
If we look at every organism
around us, we may find similarities! The
biological structure fits its function and
vice versa. Biological structure gives us
clues about what the body parts does
and how it works.
An example from the animal
kingdom is the aerodynamic wing of a
bird. The bird’s wings are structured for
them to be able to fly. The shape of the
beak is fitted for gathering food.
Figure 11: Structure and Function
Credit: shorturl.at/irBW9

Evolution
The term evolution is defined as “a process of change” which means that there are changes
from generation to generation due to the inherited traits that are passed on from one offspring
to another.
One manifestation of evolution is the physical appearance of organisms over a period
of time. An organism may evolve to better cope with the changes to be able to survive.
Adaptation
How do organisms adapt? Animals adapt certain traits from their parents that made
them able to survive. Adaptation is linked to how organisms changed over generations to
better survive in the environment. Figure 12 is an example on how the beak of birds
changed over generations to be able to survive.

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 ADAPTATIONS

Figure 12: Changes in Darwin’s finches as it adopts to changes in habitat

Credit: https://hras.org/sw/sw11-04.html
Biology and Society
The study of biology has answered a lot of human questions and has brought a lot of
knowledge to how we as individuals must deal with other organisms to be living in harmony.
The study of these living organisms is important to better understand the world we live
in, how each one of us can affect other organisms and the environment, and how we support
other organisms for survival.

What’s More
Let’s Live!
I. DIRECTIONS: On a separate sheet of paper, write true if the statement correctly describes
characteristics of living organisms and false if it does not.
________1. The biological process that gives rise to an offspring is called homeostasis.
________2. Eukaryotes are cells lacking nuclei.
________3. The Earth’s main source of energy is the sun.
________4. Omnivores are those that only eat plants as their food.
________5. The structure of an organism is fitted to the different functions of each part.
________6. The liver, heart, and blood vessels make up the circulatory system.
________7. A population is a geographical setting where organisms and non-living things
interact.
________8. A process of change also known as adaptation.
________ 9. Cellular respiration is the synthesis of ATP.
________10. Energy from one organism to another in a trophic level increase towards the
base which is represented by producers.
II. DIRECTIONS: On a separate sheet, write down the type of relationship that exist
in each of the following pairs of organisms.
1. a clown fish hiding in a sea 2. a bee sipping nectar from a flower:
anemone:

____________ ____________
Credit:
https://unsplash.com/s/photos/ecosystems

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 What I Have Learned
HARMONY WITH ME
(Living in harmony with other organisms)
DIRECTIONS: Choose at least two things that you have learned from the lesson. Write on a
separate sheet of paper. (10 pts.)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do
DIRECTIONS:
Do the following:
1.Cut and paste a picture or diagram that shows how advancement in biology affected
society especially in the recent times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. If pictures are not available you may draw it.
3.Write an essay discussing the theme shown in the picture.
4.Your essay must contain the following: introduction, discussion (concept learned)
and conclusion.
Rubrics (Adopted from module 1: Quarter 1)
1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points

Main Idea The The introduction The introduction The introduction should
Statement introduction should contain should contain the be well phrased and
contains an the topic or plan  topic and contain the
opening to discuss the  plan to discuss  topic and
statement. advantages and the advantages  plan to discuss the
disadvantages. and advantages and
disadvantages. disadvantages.
Content and The body The body should The body should The body should
Development should contain contain contain contain
a description of descriptions of  separate  a separate
one (1)  one (1) descriptions of discussion of
advantage or advantage and advantages and advantages and
disadvantage.  one (1) disadvantages; disadvantages;
disadvantage.  two (2)  at least two (2)
advantages; and advantages;
 two (2)  at least two (2)
disadvantages. disadvantages; and
 supporting details.
Conclusion The conclusion The conclusion The conclusion The conclusion should
contains a should contain should contain contain
closing the opinion on  the opinion on the  the opinion on the
statement. the issue. issue with issue with
 one (1) strong  two (2) strong
reason. reasons.
Adapted from rboynton via iRubric <https://tinyurl.com/3r4njfk9>

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 Assessment
DIRECTIONS: Write the letter of the correct answer on a separate sheet.
1. An organism's ______________ is the chemical reactions that allow it to live, grow, and
reproduce.
A. adaptation B. evolution C. homeostasis D. metabolism
2. The three major biotic components of every ecosystem are ________________
A. plants, animals, climate C. producers, herbivores, carnivores
B. energy, water, mineral nutrients D. producers, consumers, decomposers
3. ________________ replenishes nutrients in an ecosystem.
A. The sun B. Trophic level C. Reproduction D. Decomposition
4. While exploring a cave, a group of scientists encountered many abiotic and biotic factors.
An example of a biotic factor that can be seen inside a cave are ________________.
A. bats B. limestone C. minerals D. waterfall
For questions 5 and 6, consider the image below.

5. Which organisms are consumers?

A. grass and snake C. beetle, frog, and snake
B. grass, beetle, and frog D. grass, beetle, and snake
6.Which organism is an herbivore?
A. beetle B. frog C. grass D. snake
7. Four types of organisms in an ecosystem are listed below. _____________ is the correct
arrangement of the organisms that will show a simple food chain structure.
1 – decomposers 3 – herbivores
2 – producers 4 – carnivores
A. 3 2 1 4 C. 3 2 4 1
B. 2 3 4 1 D. 2 3 1 4
8. Sex cells or gametes produce through _________________ while body cells or somatic
cells produce through _______________.
A. meiosis; meiosis B. meiosis; mitosis C. mitosis; meiosis D. mitosis; mitosis
9. _______ is the correct sequence of levels of organization from LARGEST TO SMALLEST.
A. Species, organisms, community C. Ecosystem, community, population
B. Population, ecosystem, community D. Community, population, ecosystem
10. _____________________ can cause an increase in the predator population.
A. Fewer prey C. A period of drought
B. More parasites D. A reduction in competition
11. In many living organisms, including in humans, the evaporation of sweat allows the
organism to cool so that it can maintain ______________ of body temperature.
A. adaptation B. homeostasis C. metabolism D. reproduction
12. A Remora remora lives attached to large marine animals. When the large marine animal
feeds, it detaches itself to eat the leftover scraps. This symbiotic relationship is called
______________.
A. commensalism B. mutualism C. parasitism D. predation

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13. The figure on the right shows different types of birds’ feet. Birds have different feet
structure. This is an example of _________.
A. adaptation
B. evolution
C. heredity
D. reproduction

14. A cat’s front leg, a dolphin’s front flipper, and a

man’s arms have __________________.
A. different bone types but the same function
B. similar set of bones with the same function
C. similar set of bones but are used differently by each organism
D. have nothing in common and are used differently by each organism

15. Humans and lactobacilli in the digestive tract manifest mutualistic relationship. This is
because lactobacilli _____________________ while humans __________________.
A. become unhealthy; is the host of the bacteria
B. harm the digestive tract and the intestinal environment; become unhealthy
C. feed off the food humans eat; aid in digestion and regulate the intestinal
environment
D. aid in digestion and regulate the intestinal environment; provide nutrients to the
bacteria

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References

BOOKS:
Baya-ang, Roly B., Maria Lourdes G. Coronacion, Annamae T. Jorda, and Anna
Jamille Restubog. 2016. Earth and Life Science. Quezon City: Educational
Resources Corporation.
CK-12, and Dana Desonie. 2020. CK-12 Earth Science for Middle School. CK-12
Foundation. https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-earth-science-for-middle-
school/section/6.1/.
Martinez, Joyce Marie V.2007. SciLinks.Merryland Publishing Corporation,
Mandaluyong City.
Internet Sources
1. shorturl.at/ijwPZ
2. shorturl.at/cmH49
3. shorturl.at/hCKV1
4. shorturl.at/oAHT7
5. shorturl.at/cltCJ
6. shorturl.at/mpqCV
7. shorturl.at/zJX47
8. http://campbell-book.blogspot.com/2012/07/continuity-of-life-is-based-on.html
9. http://ceganj.blogspot.com/2012/04/structure-of-ecosystem.html
Pictures/ Illustrations
1. shorturl.at/jEMVY
2. shorturl.at/ouCIK
3. shorturl.at/hmzL9
4 shorturl.at/qEGMY
5 shorturl.at/hmM09
6.shorturl.at/cgmHO
7.shorturl.at/aenrA
8. shorturl.at/qvwMR
9. shorturl.at/bjrwD
10. shorturl.at/bjkC3
11. shorturl.at/egzQ8
12. shorturl.at/lABF6
13. shorturl.at/jnBGR
14. shorturl.at/hFG29
15. shorturl.at/hDE06
16. https://hras.org/sw/sw11-04.html
17. shorturl.at/doNP4
18. shorturl.at/aCNT1
19. shorturl.at/xJMQW

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 16
Additional Activities What's More What’s In
1. Adaptation/ Form and I. Across:
Function 1. False 2. Deep sea vent
2. Adaptation/ Form and 2. False 3. RNA World
Function/ Evolution 3. True 4 Biogenetic
3. Reproduction 4. False
6. Primordial
5. True
6. False
7. False B.
8. False 1. Louise Pasteur
9. True 2. Fred Hoyle
10. True 3. Rudolf Virchow
4. Alexander Oparin and John
II. Haldane
1. mutualism
2. mutualism
Answer Key:
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Cebu City

Office Address: New Imus Road, Barangay Day-as, Cebu City
Telephone No.: (032) 253 2559
E-mail Address: [email protected]