WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Earth and Life Science, Quarter 2, Week 2

UNIFYING THEMES IN THE STUDY OF LIFE

Learning Competency:

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-lla-3)
Specific objectives:
1. Identify the different unifying themes of life;
2. Infer how themes are interrelated in the study of life; and
3. Discuss the relationship of unifying themes among living things and environment
and its interconnectedness.
Key Concepts
Earth and Life Science pp.163-168

Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of living organisms and
their relationships with each other and their environment.
All living things share fundamental properties that define a living organism.
Unifying themes refer to common characteristics that all living things have and
shared. Unifying themes show the connections among living things and how they
interact with each other and with their environment.

Unifying Themes
1. Structure and functions. A
relationship exists between structure
and function at all levels of biological
organization. In biology, structure is
always related to function. Within the
many kinds of organisms in the living
world, body structures seem carefully
designed to carry out their functions.

Figure 1 Concept of Structure and Function

Source:https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/the-
philippine-eagle
plants-attract-hummingbirds
2. Evolution. The theory of evolution
helps explain how all the kinds of
organisms came into existence. It helps
explain why organisms look the way
they do and how organisms of the past
are related to organisms alive today. It
also explains the relationship among
various groups of living organisms.
Charles Darwin proposed the Theory of
Evolution, which proposes organisms
with more favorable traits will be more
likely to survive and reproduce. These Figure 2 Concept of Evolution
traits are called adaptation. Source: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/
07/23/evolution-is-aimless-how-do-we-explain-external-
testicles/

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
 3. Ecosystems. An ecosystem consists of
a community of organisms together
with their physical environment. It
can be of different sizes and can be
marine, aquatic, or terrestrial. Broad
categories of terrestrial ecosystems are
called biomes. Organisms need an
ecosystem or physical environment to
survive. They need substances like
water, nutrients, and gases from the
environment. Living things interact
with each other and with the
environment.
Figure 3 Sample Ecosystem in the Philippines
Source:https://fpe.ph/biodiversity.html/view/the-lay-of-
the-land-ecosystem-diversity-in-the-philippines

4. Energy and Life. Living organisms

obtain energy from the food they eat.
Plants undergo photosynthesis where
they convert the energy from the sun
into sugar. Since most of the animals
cannot produce their own energy, they
get the energy from the consumption
and assimilation of the biomass of
plants and other animals.

Figure 4 Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Source:https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_
studies/environmental_studies_energy_flow_in_ecosyste
m.htm

5. Thermal Regulation. The ability of an

organism to regulate their internal
conditions is called homeostasis. While
the environment often varies a lot,
organisms act to keep their interior
conditions relatively constant. The
human body will maintain an internal
temperature of 37ºC (98.5ºF) however
hot or cold the weather might be.
Figure 5 Concept of Homeostasis
Source:https://web.facebook.com/notes/earth-and-life-
science/43-the-connections-and-interactions-among-
living-things/1837669823136332/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
 6. Levels of Organization. The cells are
considered as the basic unit of life. All
living organisms are made up of cells.
When cells come together, they form the
tissues. A group of tissues that perform
the same functions form the organs. A
group of organs that works together
form the different organ systems. An
organism consists of many organ
systems but functions as one
individual.
Figure 6 The Levels of Organization
Source:https://www.simply.science/index.php/organi
zation-of-life

7. Reproduction ensures the survival of

species. All living organisms reproduce
either through asexual or sexual
reproduction. In asexual reproduction,
the offspring inherits the genes from
a single parent. However in sexual
reproduction, the offspring inherits the
genes from two individual parents.
Some examples of animals that undergo
asexual reproduction include
earthworms, hydra, and planaria.

Figure 7 Types of Reproduction

Source:https://pmgbiology.com/2016/02/15/differences-
between-sexual-and-asexual-reproduction-3-1-3-2/

8. Growth and Development. Growth

refers to an increase in size evident
through physical change. On the
other hand, development refers to a
process of gradual transformation.
All organisms grow and develop
according to specific instructions
coded for by their genes. These genes
provide instructions that will direct
cellular growth and development,
ensuring that a species’ young will
grow up to exhibit many of the same
characteristics as its parents
Figure 8 Growth and Development
Source:https://sites.google.com/a/delvalleisd.org/educatio
n-and-training-pathway/human-growth-and-development

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
Exercises/Activities

Exercise #1: I’m alive, I’m useful. I’m not alive, I’m still useful.
Objectives:
1. Identify the different unifying themes that organisms possess to be considered
alive
2. Discuss the connections of living things and how they interact with others and
their environment
What you need: Bond paper and pen
Instructions:
1. Study the table below.
2. Put or draw a symbol of heart if it’s living and square if it’s non-living
in the second column.
3. In the third column, provide at least 2-3 reasons anchored in the unifying
themes to justify the answers you provide in the preceding column.
4. Lastly, explain the significance of its interconnection towards other organisms
and their environment.
5. Use a separate sheet of paper for your output.
Organism Living or Reason Interconnection Unifying Theme
Non-
Living
Trees 1. Trees grow and Trees are vital to 1.Growth and
develop. all living Development
2. It is capable to organisms 2.Reproduction
reproduce. because it 3.Energy
3. It used energy to provide oxygen.
carry out its functions.
1.Bacteria
2.Rocks
3.Algae
4.Sunlight
5.Water

Scoring Rubrics for Reasons and Interconnection

3pts. – Answers are completely correct and explained concisely.
2pts. – Answers are correct but not explained concisely.
1pt. – Answers are correct but no explanations provided.

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
Exercise #2: Picture Talk: Tell Us How?
Objective:
1. Illustrate and discuss a visual representation of unifying themes in the study
of life.
2. Develop creativity and artistry in accomplishing given tasks.
What you need:
(Materials for those who can provide pictures)
1. Old newspapers, catalogue, brochure, and magazine
2. Pictures of different organisms found in your locality
3. Scissors
4. Glue
5. Bond paper
6. Ballpoint pen
(Materials for those who cannot provide pictures)
1. Pen/Pencil
2. Crayons
3. Bond Paper
4. Other art materials
What to do:
(For those who can provide pictures)
1. Cut the image of different organisms found in the old newspaper and other
unused materials like old catalogue, brochure, and magazine.
2. Select images that can be used to represent each of the unifying themes.
3. Paste the select images in the bond paper according to its theme.
4. On the last column of the table, write at least 2-3 sentences that would explain
how your formed picture is connected to the theme.
5. Use a separate sheet of paper for your output.
(For those who cannot provide pictures)
1. Draw an image or figure that would represent each of the unifying themes in the
first column.
2. On the last column, write at least 2-3 sentences that would explain how your
drawn image is connected to the theme
3. Use a separate sheet of paper for your output.
Picture/Drawn image Explanation
1.Structure and Function
2.Evolution
3.Ecosystems
4.Energy and Life
5.Thermal Regulation

6.Levels of Organization

Scoring Rubrics for Exercise #2

10pts. – Pictures/drawings are creatively presented and explanations are comprehensively
expressed.
8pts. – Pictures/drawings are creatively presented and explanations are good.
6pts. – Pictures/drawings are creatively presented and explanations are expressed in a
less comprehensive manner.
4pts. – Pictures/drawings are simply presented and explanations are expressed in a less
comprehensive manner
2pt. – Pictures/drawings are simply presented with no explanations.

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
Reflection
The youth are considered as the hope of the fatherland as claimed by Dr. Jose Rizal. As
an empowered youth, how will you use your voice to influence others in preserving and
conserving the living and non-living things in an aquatic and marine ecosystem? Answer in 5
sentences.

Scoring Rubrics
20 - Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, and
has no misconception.
18 - Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but
with minimal misconception.
15 - Practical application is explained consistent to the concepts, but with
misconceptions.
0 - No discussion.

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
References for learners:

Printed Materials:
Religioso & Vengco – Earth and Life Science, Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. – 2016

Electronic Sources

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology1/chapter/introduction-to-the-themes-and-
concepts-of-biology/
https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/the-philippine-eagle
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/07/23/evolution-is-aimless-how-do-we-explain-
external-testicles/
https://web.facebook.com/notes/earth-and-life-science/43-the-connections-and-interactions-
among-living-things/1837669823136332/?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/environmental_studies/environmental_studies_energy_flow_in_
ecosystem.htm

https://sites.google.com/a/delvalle-isd.org/education-and-training-pathway/human-growth-
and-development
https://pmgbiology.com/2016/02/15/differences-between-sexual-and-asexual-reproduction-3-
1-3-2/

https://www.simply.science/index.php/organization-of-life

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph
Answer Key
Exercise #1
Organism Living Reason Interconnection Unifying
or Non- Themes
Living
1.Bacteria 1.Can multiply through Bacteria are major 1.Reproduction
binary fission and other player in the 2. Levels of
means. decomposition or Organization
2. Have cellular organic materials.
structures.

2.Rocks 1. Rocks do not reproduce. These are

2. They do not die. significantly used
as building
materials.
3.Algae 1.They reproduce. One of the major 1.Reproduction
2. They grow and develop. sources of oxygen. 2.Growth and
development
4.Sunlight 1.Don’t grow and develop It is the main
2.The don’t reproduce. source of energy.
5.Water 1.Water cannot take foods Water flushes out
and excrete. toxins in our body.
2. It does

Author: Pat II E. Baguio

School/Station: Manat National High School
Division: DepED Agusan del Sur
email address: patii.baguio@deped.gov.ph