Earth and Life

Science

Prepared by: MS. JEDDAH LYNN ABELLON

Lesson 1:
Origin and Structure
of the Earth
Learning Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able 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: A Habitable
Planet
Factors that make a planet habitable:

1. Temperature influences how quickly atoms and

molecules move.
2. Atmosphere
3. Energy
4. Nutrients used to build and maintain an organism’s
body.
Factors that make Not Enough of the Too Much of the Situation in the
Just Right
a Planet Habitable Factor Factor Solar System

Temperature Low Life seems to be At about 125ºC, Surface: only the

influences how temperatures limited to a protein and Earth’s surface is
quickly atoms cause chemicals temperature carbohydrate in this
and molecules to react slowly, range of -15ºC to molecules, and temperature
move. which interferes 115ºC. In this the genetic range.
with the reactions range, liquid material (e.g., Sub-surface: the
necessary for life. water can still DNA and RNA) interior of the
It can also cause exist under start to break solid planets and
the freezing of certain apart. Also, high moons may be in
water, making conditions. temperatures this temperature
liquid water cause the quick range.
unavailable. evaporation of
water.
Factors that make Not Enough of the Too Much of the Situation in the
Just Right
a Planet Habitable Factor Factor Solar System
Atmosphere Small planets and Earth and Venus Venus’s Of the solid
moons have are the right size atmosphere is 100 planets and
insufficient gravity to hold a sufficient times thicker than moons, only Earth,
to hold an atmosphere. Earth’s. It is made Venus, and Titan
atmosphere. The Earth’s almost entirely of have significant
gas molecules atmosphere is greenhouse atmospheres.
escape to space, about 100 miles gasses, making Mars’ atmosphere
leaving the planet thick. It keeps the the surface too hot is about 1/100th
or moon without surface warm and for life. The four that of Earth’s, too
an insulating protects it from giant planets are small for
blanket or a radiation and completely made significant
protective shield. small- to medium- of gas. insulation or
sized meteorites. shielding.
Factors that make Not Enough of the Too Much of the Situation in the
Just Right
a Planet Habitable Factor Factor Solar System
Energy When there is too With a steady Light energy is a Surface: The
little sunlight or input of either problem if it inner planets get
too few of the light or chemical makes a planet too much sunlight
chemicals that energy, cells can too hot or if there for life. The outer
provide energy to run the chemical are too many planets get too
cells, such as reactions harmful rays, little.
iron or sulfur, necessary for life. such as Sub-surface:
organisms die. ultraviolet. Too Most solid
many energy-rich planets and
chemicals is not moons have
a problem energy-rich
chemicals.
Factors that make Not Enough of the Too Much of the Situation in the
Just Right
a Planet Habitable Factor Factor Solar System
Nutrients used to Without chemicals to All solid planets and Too many nutrients Surface: Earth has a
make proteins and moons have the same are not a problem. water cycle, an
build and carbohydrates, general chemical However, too active a atmosphere, and
maintain an organisms cannot makeup, so nutrients circulation system, volcanoes to circulate
organism’s body. grow. Planets without are present. Those such as the constant nutrients. Venus,
systems to deliver with a water cycle or volcanism on Jupiter’s Titan, Io, and Mars
nutrients to its volcanic activity can moon, Io, or the have nutrients and
organisms (e.g., a transport and churning ways to circulate
water cycle or replenish the atmospheres of the them to organisms.
volcanic activity) chemicals required by gas planets, interferes Sub-surface: Any
cannot support life. living organisms. with an organism’s planet or moon with
Also, when nutrients ability to get enough sub-surface water or
are spread so thin nutrients. molten rock can
that they are hard to circulate and
obtain, such as on a replenish nutrients for
gas planet, life cannot organisms.
exist.
1. What are the factors that make the planet
habitable?
2. What are the characteristics of planet
Earth that makes it habitable?
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. Surface or lithosphere which includes
the crust and the upper mantle; and
3. It has atmosphere that shelters it from
the worst of the sun’s rays.
Earth is the only planet in the solar
system that has a large amount of liquid
water. About 70% of the surface of the
Earth is covered by liquid or frozen
water.
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;
Earth, Venus, and Mars may have
similarities:

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.
QUESTIONS?
: Please get ¼ sheet
of paper.
: ¼ ma’am?
: Yes, ¼.
 Read each questions
carefully. Choose the letter
of the best answer. Write
your answers in CAPITAL
LETTERS.
1. What makes planet Earth different from the
other planets in the solar system?
A. It supports life.
B. It is mostly covered in water.
C. The atmosphere holds gases.
D. All of the above
2. Which statement does not describe planet
Earth?
A. It has 70% water
B. It is rocky, terrestrial planet.
C. It has solid and active surface
D. It has atmosphere made of nitrogen alone.
3. What makes planet Earth a “house” for living
organisms?
A. It has comfortable distance from the sun.
B. The atmosphere serves as shields from the
sun.
C. Only A
D. Both A and B
4. It was found out that Earth’s surface is covered
with water. Approximately, how many percent of
water comprises the Earth?
A. 45% water
B. 50% water
C. 60% water
D. 70% water
5. What benefits does the Earth’s atmosphere gives to endure
life on Earth?
I. The atmosphere nourishes life on Earth
II. The atmosphere protects Earth from meteorites.
III. The atmosphere gases blocks damaging ultraviolet light
IV. The atmosphere reduce temperature extremes between
day and night
A. I only
B. I, II
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
6. Planet Earth is considered as “blue planet.”
Which of the following best describes the surface
of planet Earth?
A. Earth has atmosphere.
B. Earth has lots of volcano.
C. Earth is covered with red dust.
D. Earth has mostly water on the surface.
7. For many, Earth is different from other planets.
Why do you think so?
A. Earth is mostly covered in water.
B. Earth has comfortable distance from the sun.
C. Earth has carbon dioxide on its atmosphere.
D. It has approximately same size as that of
Venus.
8. Earth can support the survival of organisms. What
is/are the factor/s that make/s Earth habitable?
I. atmosphere
II. temperature
III. energy
IV. nutrient
A. I
B. I, II
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
9. In order for an organism to survive, nutrients
are needed. What are the nutrients that planet
Earth can offer for an organism to exist?
A. Earth has an atmosphere and ozone layer.
B. Earth has both water cycle and nitrogen cycle.
C. Earth has natural activities to circulate
nutrients.
D. All of the above
10. What makes human and other living
organisms capable to live on Earth?
A. Earth can provide food for the organism.
B. Earth can protect the organism from any
possible threat.
C. Earth’s temperature is mostly hot compared to
other planets.
D. Earth has the right amount of temperature,
water, good atmosphere, and favorable climate.