FORM 3 LEARNING GUIDE MODULE CODE
2. Topic Investigating the Biosphere Module Code 2.0
2.2 Sub-topic Structure and Function of the Lesson code 2.2
Ecosystem
Grade Level 7
Subject Integrated Science 1
Subject/Topic Structure and Function of the Ecosystem
Time Frame 60 minutes
Target number of sessions 2 meetings
Resources/Materials needed Laptop/smart phone/tablet/; notebook; pen
COMPONENT TASKS TA ATA
(min) (min)
TARGET After completing this module, you are expected to: 1
● Describe what constitutes an ecological system.
● Classify the organisms in the area (plants, animals, macroscopic
fungi, decomposers).
● Explain the ecosystem concepts of niche and habitat.
HOOK Look at the picture below. Have you ever wondered how all those things 4
live and grow together in one place? Read and answer the following
essential questions in your notebook.
Figure 1 shows a lake ecosystem
Source: Abhishek Singh from Pune, India / CC BY-SA
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)
Essential Questions:
1. What is the source of energy in the ecosystem?
2. What are the biotic and abiotic components in the ecosystem?
3. What kind of living things can use the energy of the Sun to make
their own food?
4. How do other types of organisms obtain their energy?
5. What happens to the matter (bodies) of organisms after they die?
Page 1 of 15
IGNITE The term ecosystem is referred to as the community of living organisms 25
that interact as a network with the non-living components of the
environment. These living and non-living components are interconnected
by the movement of nutrients and the flow of energy.
Structure of Ecosystem:
The ecological structure is essentially a definition of the environmental
species and physical features including the amount and distribution of
nutrients in an environment.
An ecosystem contains the following core components:
1. The nonliving elements are known as abiotic factors. They include
sunlight, soil, temperature, water, etc.
2. The living aspects of the environment are known as biotic factors. They
include organisms including members of the same and different species.
Can you identify the biotic and abiotic components shown in the picture
below?
Figure 2 shows a Sturtmoor Pond Community
Source: Jim Champion / Animals at Sturtmoor Pond, Plaitford Common, New
Forest https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Animals
Functions of the Ecosystem:
1. It regulates various ecological processes which are essential in
supporting life systems.
2. It is responsible for nutrient cycling between living and non-living
things across the biosphere.
3. It maintains equilibrium and stability among the various trophic levels
in the ecosystem.
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Nutrient Cycling in the Ecosystem
Nutrient movement is a significant mechanism within an ecosystem. For
species to survive, important nutrients are required such as carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Nutrient cycling involves the interaction of both biotic and abiotic factors.
This essential process is associated with the biological, chemical, and
geological cycles known as the biogeochemical cycles, to be explored in
the following learning guides.
Energy Flow in an Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a distinct structural, functional and life sustaining system.
The cycles and processes involve energy from the sun in the form of light
or solar radiation.
Study the figure below and answer the following questions:
Figure 3 shows the schematic of photosynthesis in plants.
Source: At09kg: originalWattcle : vector graphics / CC BY-SA
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
• What are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis?
Inputs Outputs
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• How does the process of photosynthesis store energy?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Green plants are energy sources for (herbivores), which in turn are energy
sources for the flesh-eating animals (carnivores). The source of energy
among the different types of animals is a complex organic compound taken
as food.
Figure 4: Source: USDA / Public domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soil_food_webUSDA.jpg
All living species within an ecosystem, whether plants or animals, have a
definite life period after which they die. Dead organic plant and animal
remains provide food for saprophytic microbes including bacteria, fungi,
and many other species. Ultimately these species decompose the organic
material and split the complex molecules and release the inorganic
components into their environment.
Page 4 of 15
Producers are species producing food for themselves and others. They
make organic materials, using energy and simple inorganic molecules.
Producer stability is vital to ecosystems because organic molecules are
needed by all organisms. Producers are also called autotrophs.
Figure 5 shows the illustration on the diversity of plants known as producers.
Source: Rkitko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Figure 6 shows a variety of algae growing on the sea bed in shallow waters.
Source: Toby Hudson / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Page 5 of 15
Consumers are food-dependent organisms which rely on other organisms.
They take other living things into organic molecules, essentially by
"eating." They include all animals and fungi. Consumers also call
themselves heterotrophs.
Figure 7 shows a Black Flying Fox - Pteropus alecto - feeding on a palm tree in
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Source: Andrew Mercer (www.baldwhiteguy.co.nz) / CC BY-SA
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Figure 8 shows an orange pore fungus found in Madagascar, New Zealand,
Italy and Australia.
Source: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / Public domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Favolaschia_calocera_-
_Orange_Pore_fungus,_(39152889430).jpg
Figure 9 shows molds on nectarines which grow in less than 24 hours.
Source: Simon A. Eugster / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Page 6 of 15
Study the figure below and answer the following questions.
Figure 9 shows a simple diagram on the external digestion in fungi.
Source: Sarah Greenwood / CC BY-SA
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
What are the characteristics of fungi?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
How does a fungus obtain nutrition?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Heterotrophs are classified by what they eat:
a. Herbivores (plant eating organisms)
b. Carnivores (meat eating organisms)
c. Omnivores (meat and plant eating organisms)
Can you classify the organisms shown in the picture?
Figure 10 shows two animals classified according to what they eat.
Source: CNX OpenStax / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Page 7 of 15
Have you seen a rotten fruit such as shown in the picture? This shows the
process of decomposition.
Figure 11 shows a rotten apple after it fell from the tree.
Source: Sally V / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Decomposers break down remains and other waste as basic inorganic
molecules and release it back into the environment. Such species are
categorized by the organic matter which they break down.
The scavengers feed of the soft tissues of dead animals.
Figure 12 shows Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos scavenging (feeding)) on
a dead small shark at the beach in Kumamoto, Japan.
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Raven_scavenging_on_a_dead_s
hark.jpg&oldid=145734830
Can you name some examples of scavengers?
1. ______________________
2. ______________________
3. _______________________
Page 8 of 15
The detritivores consume dead leaves, animal waste, and other organic
particles that are collected in a water body on the ground or at the bottom.
Figure 13 shows a 0.4 inch (10mm) male common woodlouse (Oniscus asellus)
found in the British Isles and Northern and Western Europe. They are usually
found under stones and rotting wood. (Source: André Karwath aka Aka / CC BY-
SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)
Can you name some detritivores on land and in water?
1. __________________ (land)
2. __________________(water)
The saprotrophs feed on any remaining organic matter.
Figure 14 shows Mycena haematopus, commonly known as the bleeding fairy
helmet. It obtains nutrients by consuming decomposed organic matter.
(Source: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / Public domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mycena_haematopus._(42029182981).
Can you name some examples of saprotrophs?
1. _____________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
Page 9 of 15
Ecological Niche is one of the most essential concepts associated with
ecosystems. It refers to the role a species plays in the environment which
includes the interactions with the biotic and abiotic components.
The food that an organism consumes and how it gets nutrients for survival
are two essential aspects associated with the niche of a species.
Figure 15 shows a reed warbler feeding a common cuckoo chick in a nest.
(Source: Per Harald Olsen / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-
sa/3.0/)
Another related term to the niche of a species is its habitat. The habitat is
the physical environment in which a species lives and is adapted to that
environment. It includes the kind of food and shelter, the temperature, and
the amount of humidity that organism requires on order to survive.
Figure 16 shows Jaguar (Panthera onca palustris) female, Piquiri River, the
Pantanal, Brazil (Source: Charles J Sharp / CC BY-SA
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Page 10 of 15
NAVIGATE 15
I. Complete the table below by classifying the named component as
biotic or abiotic.
Component Biotic or Abiotic
Air temperature
Predators
Water salinity
Producers
Humidity
Amount of rainfall
Decomposers
Light penetration
Soil
Climate
II. Your science class went on a forest trip for a performance
task. Your goal is to study and investigate the biotic and
abiotic components of the ecosystem.
a. List down 2 types of plants found in a forest and explain the
importance of these plants in the ecosystem.
Name of Important Roles
Plant
b. You found earthworms in the soil while on a forest trip. Explain the
importance of earthworms in the ecosystem.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Page 11 of 15
Summary 15
KNOT ● An ecosystem consists of abiotic factors such as climate, minerals, soil,
sunlight and all other non-living components, and biotic factors such as
animals, plants, and other micro-organisms.
● Growing environment requires constant energy input from either
sunlight or chemical substances.
● The producers manufacture food using inorganic molecules and required
energy.
● The consumers are dependent on other organisms in obtaining food.
● Decomposers break down dead animals and other biological waste and
release them as inorganic molecules back into the environment.
● The role a species plays in the environment is a niche. It involves the
organism 's role in surrounding energy flow.
● Habitat is the physical world the animals live in. Such parameters used
to characterize an ecosystem are the average amount of sunlight per
day, the range of yearly temperatures and average annual rainfall.
Graded Assessment Total Score: 20 points
I. Read and answer the following questions.
The figure below depicts a sheltering clownfish among the toxic tentacles
of a sea anemone. The sea anemone is not harmful to the clownfish as it
finds food.
Source: Jenny from Taipei / CC BY
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
A. Identify two abiotic components of this ecosystem. (2 pts)
____________________, ______________________
B. Identify two biotic components of this ecosystem. (2 pts)
____________________, _______________________
Page 12 of 15
C. How does the association of clownfish with the anemone benefit
the fish? (1pt.)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
III. Create a graphic organizer showing the components and functions
of an ecosystem. (15 pts) Note: Please see the rubrics provided for
the graphic organizer.
Page 13 of 15
Rubric for the graphic organizer:
Very Good Good Fair
(3 pts.) (2 pts) (1 pt.)
Clear Main Idea Student The main idea The main idea
identifies the is placed in the is not stated, or
(x2) correct main correct place on not clear. The
idea. It is the graphic main idea is not
placed in the organizer but is properly placed
correct place on not completely in the graphic
the graphic stated. organizer.
organizer.
Clear The graphic The graphic The graphic
Organization organizer is organizer is organizer fairly
logically adequately arranged and
(x3) arranged and arranged and provided
provided provided some insufficient
sufficient details, but less detail.
details. There than five were
must be at least given. The
five details details support
given, and they the main idea.
all support the
main idea.
Source: rcampus.com
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References:
Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.) Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.
CK-12 (2017) Introduction to Ecosystems and Other Ecological Concepts. Biology for High School
Flexbook. Retrieved from: https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-
2.0/section/6.1/primary/lesson/ecosystems-bio
File: Soil food webUSDA.jpg. (2019, April 28). Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository.
Retrieved 02:24, August 15, 2020
from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Soil_food_webUSDA.jpg&oldid=347545391
File: TrophicWeb.jpg. (2020, March 23). Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository.
Retrieved 02:22, August 15, 2020
from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:TrophicWeb.jpg&oldid=406342565
Jorgensen (2009). Encyclopedia of Ecology. Elsevier.B.V.
Rillero, P. (2005). Glencoe Science: Ecology. Glencoe McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, July 8). Ecosystem. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Retrieved 22:29, August 14, 2020,
from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ecosystem&oldid=966680950
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 4). Photosynthesis. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Retrieved 02:23, August 15, 2020,
from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Photosynthesis&oldid=971123204
Prepared by Reviewed by Reviewed and Approved by
ERA JOY U. DE LOS REYES YNA CAMILLE MONGCAL ALICE C. MANUEL
Special Science Teacher II Special Science Teacher IV Special Science Teacher IV
Western Visayas Campus Main Campus Cagayan Valley Campus
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