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LM For Science

The document discusses the "Goldilocks factors" that have allowed life to survive and evolve on Earth. It identifies six key factors: 1) The Earth's distance from the sun, which provides heat and light. 2) The atmosphere, which contains oxygen and protects the planet. 3) A consistent average temperature that allows for liquid water. 4) The moon, which stabilizes the Earth's rotation. 5) Biodiversity, which creates resilient food chains. 6) Sufficient water in its many forms. These factors have made Earth a "habitable planet" where complex life, including humans, has thrived for millions of years.

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KAREN BIANCA TIGULLO
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43 views4 pages

LM For Science

The document discusses the "Goldilocks factors" that have allowed life to survive and evolve on Earth. It identifies six key factors: 1) The Earth's distance from the sun, which provides heat and light. 2) The atmosphere, which contains oxygen and protects the planet. 3) A consistent average temperature that allows for liquid water. 4) The moon, which stabilizes the Earth's rotation. 5) Biodiversity, which creates resilient food chains. 6) Sufficient water in its many forms. These factors have made Earth a "habitable planet" where complex life, including humans, has thrived for millions of years.

Uploaded by

KAREN BIANCA TIGULLO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

QUARTER 1-MODULE 1: Goldilocks Factors

The Goldilocks factors are found here on earth which help organisms from the simplest
unicellular organisms to the most complex multicellular organisms survive. Although the earth
may have some harsh conditions, generally it still provides all life forms with the best resources
compared to other planets in the Milky Way galaxy. These factors shall be discussed in detail in
the succeeding activities of this module.

Have you read the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? It can be recalled that a little girl
named Goldilocks found a house owned by three bears. She went inside the house of the bears
and was delighted to see the 3 bowls of porridge! She tasted them! One was too hot, the other is
too cold, and one bowl tasted “just right” which she consumed as quickly as she could. After
eating, she felt sleepy so she looked for a bed! She found 3 different beds! One is too hard, the
other is too soft, and one bed is “just right”. So she slept in the bed which is just right to give her
comfort. In terms of our survival on Earth, how do we relate to the Goldilocks story? Do we need
a planet which is too small or too big? Do we need an environment which is too hot or too cold?
What do we need? Yes! We need a planet that is “just right” to make our stay comfortable. This
is what planet Earth has been for us. It is known as the Goldilocks planet, the habitable planet or
habitable zone. So what does the Earth offer? Why have humans, animals, and plants survived in
this planet for millions of years? This is what we shall find out as we proceed in this lesson.

The Earth is home to a rich biodiversity that ranges from the simplest single-celled or unicellular
organisms like the bacteria to the most complex as those of human beings. What made these
organisms survive? In order for life forms to exist and evolve for better survival ability, many
Goldilocks factors need to be provided. Can you think of one essential factor? Water! Yes! The
Earth is rich in water which exists in many forms-- be it liquid water where fish thrive, solid
water found in ice of the polar regions, or water vapor in air! Not only that. Here are the other 5
Goldilocks factors that we will discuss to help us learn about how our existence on Earth has
been possible and comfortable because of all the resources it offered.

1. Closeness to the sun. The Earth’s distance from the sun is 151.2 million kilometers. This
distance enabled the Earth to get the much-needed heat and light, without which, this planet will
become an ice-coated rock. The sun generates the weather patterns, warms the waters, stirs the
atmosphere, and gives radiant energy for the plants to manufacture their own food so that oxygen
and food that organisms need will be sufficient.

2. Earth’s atmosphere. Compared to other planets, the Earth is the only planet in the solar
system with an atmosphere that can support life. Its atmosphere contains not only oxygen (21%)
that we breathe but also other gases such as nitrogen (78%), argon (0.93%), and carbon dioxide
(0.04%) with some traces of neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen, and water vapor. The
stability of Earth’s atmosphere generally brings a calm weather. It may rain or shine or snow but
the weather will not change quickly. Earth’s atmosphere also has ozone layer which protects all
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

life forms from the harmful radiation from the sun. This layer helps to warm the planet by day
and cools it at night.

3. Earth’s consistent temperature. While the average temperature of Venus is 4620C and
Mars’ is -600C, Earth’s average temperature is 150C. This temperature allows liquid water to
exist and gives a stable environment for organisms to live, grow, and even multiply. Although
some organisms may thrive in extreme temperatures, this limiting factor poses a great threat to
the existence of most organisms. Hence, it is an advantage being in this planet with a consistent
temperature that supports life.

4. Earth’s moon. How does this help us survive? Without the moon, Earth’s rotation would be
way faster which would make our 1 day in just 4 hours. Because of the moon’s presence, the
Earth is rotating at a comfortable 24 hour-period which also stabilized the rotation on its axis. In
addition, the gravitational pull of the moon created tides and unique marine ecosystem called
intertidal zone where marine animals survive the waves and land conditions.

5. Diversity of Life. Biodiversity creates food chains that sustain the survival and evolution of
organisms. Biodiversity and evolution are but products of the interaction of organisms with their
environment. Organisms adapt to their available resources to survive. This is a significant
biological event as catastrophes may happen and only a few specie of organisms could continue
their generation. The adaptability of these biodiversity made each of the species successful in
maintaining the web of life on earth.

Any new discovery? Astronomers were able to spot one Goldilocks planet which is 20 light
years away from the earth! It was discovered by astronomers Stephane Udry and Michel Mayor
in September 2007. This Earth-like planet is called Gliese 581c which is found orbiting in a
habitable zone, where temperature could sustain life and liquid water on its surface. While it may
be in a habitable zone, recent research suggest that Gliese 581c may have a Venus-like
environment. Hence, it is but too early to conclude that it is a habitable planet. More research
needs to be done to prove that this newly discovered planet could really support life.
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

QUARTER 1-MODULE 2: SPHERES OF THE EARTH


EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

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