7

SCIENCE
Second Quarter – Module 6
Ecological Relationships

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Second Quarter – Module 6: Ecological Relationships
First Edition, 2020
Republic Act 8293, Section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or
office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for
profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the
payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education – Regon 10

Regional Director: Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III
Assistant Regional Director: Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr., CESO V

Development Team of the Module

Author/s: Fleur Fe L. Mutia
Reviewers: Bonito Ferdinand L. Taclob, HT III Helen G. Marcellana, MT I
Evaluators: Marisol P. Moreno, HT IV Decy Joy V. Jabonillo, HT I
Marissa R. Bueno, HT III
Illustrator and Layout Artist: Fleur Fe L. Mutia Louise Pauline L. Mutia
Matt Louise L. Mutia Nikolai Louise L. Mutia
Management Team
Chairperson: Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III
Regional Director

Co-Chairpersons: Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr. CESO V

Asst. Regional Director

Edwin R. Maribojoc, EdD, CESO VI

Schools Division Superintendent

Myra P. Mebato,PhD, CESE

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Mala Epra B. Magnaong, Chief ES, CLMD

Members Neil A. Improgo, EPS-LRMS

Bienvenido U. Tagolimot, Jr., EPS-ADM
Samuel C. Silacan, EdD, CID Chief
Maritess A. Caguindangan, EPS - Science
Rone Ray M. Portacion, EdD, EPS – LRMS
Asela I. Elumbareng, EdD, PSDS
Nelia T. Lanzaderas, PhD, Principal III/District In-charge
Agnes P. Gonzales, PDO II
Vilma M. Inso, Librarian II
Printed in the Philippines by
Department of Education – Region X
Office Address: Zone 1, DepEd Building, Masterson Avenue
Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City
Contact Number: (088) 880 7072
E-mail Address: region10@deped.gov.ph
 7
Science
Second Quarter – Module 6
Ecological Relationships

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and

reviewed by educators from public schools. We encourage teachers
and other education stakeholders to email their feedback, comments,
and recommendations to the Department of Education – Region 10 at
region10@ deped.gov.ph.

Your feedback and recommendations are highly valued.

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

Introductory Message

For the Learner

Welcome to the Science 7 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Ecological Relationships.

Module 6 brings you to the world of organisms and the interactions between and
among them as they search for food, shelter and protection. Organisms interact with
each other in different ways. Some interactions are beneficial, others are harmful and
some may not affect other organisms at all.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This gives you an idea of the skills or

competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check

what you already know about the lesson to take.
If you get all the answers correct (100%), you
may decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced

to you in various ways such as a story, a song,
a poem, a problem opener, an activity or a
situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and

iv
 understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and skills
of the topic. You may check the answers to the
exercises using the Answer Key at the end of
the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will help

you transfer your new knowledge or skill into
real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level

of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given to

you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

v
 1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use your Science activity notebook in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

Table of Contents

vi
What I Need to Know ---------------- 1
What I Know ---------------- 2

Lesson 1- Mutualism ---------------- 5

What’s In ---------------- 5
What’s New ---------------- 6
What is It ---------------- 8
What’s More ---------------- 8

Lesson 2- Commensalism ---------------- 10

What’s In ---------------- 10
What’s New ---------------- 11
What is It ---------------- 12
What’s More ---------------- 13

Lesson 3- Parasitism ---------------- 14

What’s In ---------------- 14
What’s New ---------------- 15
What is It ---------------- 16
What’s More ---------------- 17

Lesson 4- Predation ---------------- 19

What’s In ---------------- 19
What’s New ---------------- 20
What is It ---------------- 21
What’s More ---------------- 22

vii
Lesson 5- Competition ---------------- 23
What’s In ---------------- 23
What’s New ---------------- 24
What is It ---------------- 25
What’s More ---------------- 26

What I Have Learned ---------------- 27

What I Can Do ---------------- 28
Assessment ---------------- 29
Additional Activities ---------------- 32
Answer Key ---------------- 33
References ---------------- 35

viii
 What I Need to Know

In our environment, there are plants, animals, and other organisms

interacting with each other. Interactions and relationships exist in an ecosystem
in search for food, shelter and protection.

In a community, interactions within and among population may have

important influences to death and birth of the organisms and, in turn, on
population’s growth and size. These interactions may have positive, neutral, or
even negative influences on interacting population.

This module consists of five lessons:

 Lesson 1 - Mutualism
 Lesson 2 - Commensalism
 Lesson 3 - Parasitism
 Lesson 4 - Predation
 Lesson 5 - Competition

After going through this module, you are expected to describe the different
ecological relationships found in an ecosystem (S7LT-IIh-10).

Specifically, you are also expected to:

1. describe each of the ecological relationships that exists between and

among organisms in an ecosystem; and
2. explain how the organisms are affected by the relationship.
3. make a collage showing the ecological relationships of organisms in
the ecosystem.

1
 What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answers in your
science activity notebook.

1. What type of relationship exists between dogs and humans?

A. Commensalism C. Mutualism
B. Competition D. Predation
2. In which type of relationships do organisms compete for survival?
A. Competition C. Parasitism
B. Mutualism D. Predation
3. Which of the following examples display mutualism?
A. Algae living on corals
B. Butterfly feeding on nectar of a flower
C. Orchids attach itself on the trunk of a tree
D. A bird making its nest on the branch of the tree
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE in predation?
A. Both of the organisms are harmed.
B. Both of the organisms are benefited.
C. One organism is benefited while the other is harmed.
D. One organism is benefited while the other is unaffected.
5. How does mutualism affect the organisms involved in the relationship?
A. Mutualism shortens the life of the organisms.
B. Mutualism makes the life of the organism difficult.
C. Mutualism makes the partner organism unproductive.
D. Mutualism gives beneficial effect on both the organisms.
6. Spring onions grow in a pot. What kind of relationship exists among the
spring onions?
A. Competition C. Parasitism
B. Mutualism D. Predation

2
7. Parasitism is a relationship in which ________.
A. both organisms are harmed.
B. both organisms are benefitted.
C. one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.
D. one organism benefits at the expense of the other organism.
8. There are different kinds of organisms living in a forest. Plants that grow
on the forest floor do not get as much sunlight as those of the taller trees.
What relationship exists among these plants?
A. Commensalism C. Mutualism
B. Competition D. Parasitism
9. Lactobacillus bacteria are probiotics that live inside the body of man.
These bacteria help aid in digestion and promote good health. Which of
the following relationships exists between man and lactobacillus bacteria?
A. Competition C. Parasitism
B. Mutualism D. Predation
10. In a predator-prey relationship, the predator eats the prey. Which of the
following organisms is a predator?
A. Earthworm C. Lizard
B. Grass C. Mosquito
11. The ecological relationship of a sea anemone and clown fish is the same
kind of relationship as that of ___________.
A. the lice and a child C. the pigs in the pigpen
B. a lizard and an insect D. a bee and a flower
12. Which of the following interactions exhibits commensalism?
A. Man and fish C. Carabao and cow
B. Spider and tree D. Ants and acacia tree
13. Cat eating rat, bird eating worm and dog eating fish are examples of
predator-prey relationship. Which of the following is the complete set of
predators?
A. Cat, rat, fish C. Rat, worm, fish
B. Cat, bird, dog D. Rat, worm, dog

3
14. Bacteria can be beneficial or harmful to man. Some bacteria help in
digestion others cause diseases. What kind of organisms are those
bacteria that cause diseases?
A. Commensal C. Parasite
B. Host D. Predator
15. Which of the following relationships describe competition?
A. Spider eating mosquito
B. Lions hunting and killing a buffalo
C. Tick attaching on the skin of a dog
D. An orchid living on a trunk of a mahogany tree

4
Lesson

Mutualism
1

What’s In

The environment is a collection of living and non-living things. The biotic

components of the environment are also called organisms. The abiotic
components make up the physical environment of these organisms.

Let’s check what you have learned.

Activity 1. Complete Me!

Directions: Observe your surroundings. Identify the biotic and abiotic factors that
you can find. Copy and complete the table by (A) giving the name of the
ecosystem observed; and identify the (B) biotic and (C) abiotic components of an
ecosystem. Write your answers in your science activity notebook.

Table 1.

Ecosystems Biotic Components Abiotic Components

(A) (B) (C)

AWESOME! You’ve got them all!

5
 What’s New

There are different kinds of ecosystems around us. In these ecosystems

are different kinds of organisms. Organisms that belong to the same species
and live in the same place form a population. Populations that live in the same
place and interact with each other form a community. Organisms interact with
each other and their environment to meet their basic needs and survive.
Some interactions are beneficial; others are harmful. There are also
interactions in which populations of organisms are neither benefitted nor harmed.
How do organisms interact with each other in an ecosystem?
Let’s find out in our next activity.

Activity 2. Pair Me!

Directions: Based on the pairing of organisms below, describe their relationship.

Write your answers in your science activity notebook.
(Note: Pair No. 1 is done for you.)

Pair Organisms Involved Describe the Relationship

Number (A and B) (Benefits the organisms get from each other)

When a bee gets food (nectar) from a

Organism A
1 (Flowering Plant)
flower, they get some pollens on their bodies,
and when they move from one flower to
another, some of the pollens are transferred,
thus, pollinating the plant.
The bee gets food to eat, and the
flowering plants get to reproduce.

The relationship between the bee and the

flower is beneficial for both organisms.

Organism B
(Bee)

6
 Pair Organisms Involved Describe the Relationship
Number (A and B) (Benefits the organisms get from each other)

 ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________
Organism A
2 (Aphids)
 ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Organism B
(Ants)

 ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________
Organism A
(Fish)
 ___________________________
3
___________________________

___________________________

Organism B
(Sea Anemone)
Illustrations by Fleur Fe L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia

7
 What is It

Mutualism is an ecological relationship where both organisms are

benefitted. It plays an important role in the growth, reproduction and survival of
the organisms and in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
An example of this is the relationship that exists between ants and aphids.
Aphids are small insects that provide food to the ants while the ants protect the
aphids from its predators.
What other examples of mutualistic relationship can we find around us?
Let’s learn more about this relationship.

What’s More

Activity 3. Fill Me
Directions: Describe the interactions of the given examples labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4
and use the following symbols: + (benefited); - (harmed); and 0 (unaffected) to
describe the effects of the relationship. Write your answers in your science
activity notebook. (Note: Example A is DONE for you.)

Examples Description of the INTERACTIONS

Relationship Organism A Organism B
Fungi provide a
home, minerals and
nutrients from water Fungi Algae
for the algae to
perform
photosynthesis. + +
The algae, in return,
share the nutrients
Lichen (lai·kn) for the fungi to
1. survive,.

8
 Examples Description of the INTERACTIONS
Relationship Organism A Organism B

HUMANS PLANTS

________ _______

2.

MAN BACTERIA

________ _______

3.

HERMIT CRAB SEA

ANEMONE

Good bacteria
_______ _______

4. Hermit crab and sea

anemone

Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia.

EXCELLENT! You are now ready for the next lesson.

9
Lesson

2 Commensalism

What’s In

You have learned in Lesson 1 about mutualism. To check your

understanding of this ecological relationship, let’s do Activity 1.

Activity 1. Answer Me!

Directions: Study the picture and answer the given questions. Write your
answers in your science activity notebook.

A lichen is a composite organism that

grows from the symbiotic relationship of an alga
and a fungus.

Q1: Who gets the benefits from the relationship?

_________________________________

Q2: What do you call

this relationship wherein both the
Illustration by Louise Pauline L. Mutia
participating organisms are benefited from
Image 1. Lichen
each other?
__________________________________

Let’s explore more about the relationships in the ecosystem.

10
 What’s New

Activity 2: Fill Me!

Directions: Fill in the box with the description of the effect of the relationship on
the organism and write your answers in your science activity notebook.
Effect of the Relationship
Relationship Description of the to the Organism
relationship Organism A Organism B
(Host) (commensal)
1. Remora are
small fishes that
attaches itself to
the shark. It gets
a free ride from
the shark and
feeds off from the
remains of the
meal of the
shark.
2.
Frogs use plants
to hide from the
rain and for
protection from
predators.

3. Ferns are
epiphytes that
grow on the trunk
of Narra tree for
support but does
not get nutrients
from the tree.
They do not
affect the tree at
all.
Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia.

It’s easy, right? Let’s check this out.

11
 What is It

Take a look at the pictures below.

Illustrations by Fleur Fe L. Mutia

Whale Barnacles

What do you see?

In the picture, you can see a whale and barnacles. Barnacles are marine
organisms with shells similar to crabs that attaches itself permanently on any
surface. Barnacles cannot move on their own. They attach themselves to the
whales to move around and get food with the whale. The whale is not affected
nor harmed with the presence of the barnacles.
The relationship that exists between the whale and the barnacles is called
commensalism. One organism is benefitted while the other is unaffected and
unharmed. This relationship usually exists between a larger organism and
smaller one.
Between the whale and the barnacles, who is benefited?
The barnacles get the benefit from the relationship. They get a free ride
from the whale and at the same time get its food. The organism that gets
nutrition, shelter, support or protection is called the commensal.
In commensalism, one organism is benefitted while the other one is not
affected nor harmed. The organism which gets the benefits is called the
commensal, which uses the other organism, the host, for transport, shelter or
protection. This is a positive-neutral relationship.

12
 What’s More

Activity 3. You are my Home!

Directions: Examine the relationships below and identify the organisms involved
in the relationship. Describe whether the organism is benefitted, harmed or
unaffected using the given symbols below:

benefited unaffected harmed

Examples INTERACTIONS Describe the

Organism A Organism B relationship that
(Host) (Commensal) exists between
the organisms

1.

2.

3.

Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia.

Good work!

13
Lesson

Parasitism
3

What’s In

You have already learned in your previous lessons about mutualism and
commensalism. Let’s do this activity.

Activity 1. My Eco-FRIENDS!

Directions: Give one situation each for mutualism and commensalism that you
have experienced with your environment. Write your answers in your science
activity notebook.

MUTUALISM : Me and ___________________________________

Situation: ___________________________________

COMMENSALISM : Me and ___________________________________

Situation: ___________________________________

It is nice to know that we have a good relationship with other organisms in

the environment. Let us learn more about the ecological relationships in the
ecosystem.

14
 What’s New

Activity 2. Picture Talk

Directions: Study the pictures and answer the questions below. Write your
answers in your Science activity notebook.

Q1. What are the organisms involved in the

relationship?
___________________________________
___________________________________

Q2. Have you experienced being bitten by a

mosquito? __________________________
How does it feel? _____________________ Illustration by Louise Pauline L. Mutia
Mosquito biting skin of man

Q3. In this relationship, which one is benefited? _______________________

Which is harmed? ______________________________________________

Let’s study the next picture. Tapeworms

Here, we have the cow and tapeworms.

Q4. What relationship does the carabao and

tapeworms have?
___________________________________
___________________________________

Q5. Which is benefited from the Illustration by Louise Pauline L. Mutia

relationship? ________________________
Cow and tapeworms
And which is harmed? _________________

In the ecosystem, another relationship exists in which one organism lives

at the expense of another organism.

15
 What is It

In Activity 2, we can say that the tapeworm is benefited from the

relationship because it lives inside the intestines and get nutrients from the cow.
However, the cow is not benefited from the relationship. It is rather affected and
harmed by the presence of the tapeworms.

Parasitism is a positive–negative relationship in which one organism is

benefited while the other is affected and harmed. The organism that benefits
from the relationship is called the parasite, which is usually smaller than the
other organism, the host.

The parasites may live inside the body of the host just like that of the
tapeworms inside the intestines of the cow. It depends upon the host for their
food and nutrients.

Some parasites live outside the body of the host like that of the mosquito.
The mosquito is a parasite that lives outside the body of the host. It sucks blood
from the skin of man, which is the host.

There are some parasites that can cause diseases. Bacteria and the other
microscopic organisms live inside the body of the host and cause diseases like
dengue and pneumonia.

As we go on with our lesson, let’s learn more about parasitism by doing

the next activity.

16
Activity 3. “Friennemy” (Friend-Enemy)
Directions: Identify the organisms involved in the relationship and describe
whether the organism is benefited, harmed or unaffected using the symbols
below.
Write + if benefited , - if harmed, O if unaffected.
(Note: Example 1 is done for you.).
Write your answers in your Science activity notebook.
Symbols to indicate whether
the organism is benefited,
Examples Participating Organisms harmed or unaffected
Organism A Organism B Organism A Organism B
(Host) (Parasite) (Host) (Parasite)
1.Lice and child

-
CHILD LICE
+

2.Aphids and plant

3. Child and worms

Illustrations by Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia.

Good job. Let’s check what you have learned in this activity.

17
 What’s More

Activity 4. Word Search

Directions: Search for at least 10 words that are associated with parasitism
straight, across, up and down or diagonally. Copy and answer the puzzle in your
Science activity notebook.

T B F F L E E C H A
I F O L D M K L O M
C C D T E F J L S N
K E P A R A S I T E
E F Z P I H G C S O
B E N E F I T E N A
O D S W I R T E U H
D O M O S Q U I T O
P L A R T O S O D M
H A R M E I L P G E

1. ___________________ 6. __________________
2. ___________________ 7. __________________
3. ___________________ 8. __________________
4. ___________________ 9. __________________
5. ___________________ 10. __________________

Congratulations! You have successfully completed Lesson 3.

Please proceed to Lesson 4 and learn more about the relationships in the
ecosystem.

18
 Lesson

Predation
4

What’s In

You have learned in our previous lessons about mutualism,

commensalism and parasitism. To check your understanding about it, let’s do
this activity.

Activity 1. Interactions Among Organisms

Directions: Study the table below and fill in the columns with the correct
answers. Write your answers in your science activity notebook.
Effects of the
Relationship
Examples Organisms involved in Type of
the relationship (benefited, harmed, Ecological
unaffected) Relationship
Organism Organism Organism Organism
A B A B
1.

19
3.
Illustrations by Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia.

What’s New

Activity 2. Which eats what?

Directions: Below is a table showing different organisms and their interactions. Fill in
the table with the correct answer. Write your answers in your science activity notebook.
(Note: Letter A is done for you.)
What Which Which is What happened to the
organisms are is the eaten? organism being eaten?
Organisms involved? eater?
A.
Lizard The organism being
Lizard Insect eaten is harmed. It
Insect will die.
B.

C.

D.

E.

20
 Activity adapted from Science 7 Learner’s Material.
Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia

What other relationships exist in the ecosystem?

Let’s explore more about the relationships in the ecosystem.

What is It

Another relationship that exists in the ecosystem is the food-getting

relationship. One organism is benefitted while the other one is killed and eaten by
the other organism. This relationship is called predation.
An animal that kills and eats other animals is called a predator. An animal
that is killed and eaten by its predator is called a prey. Prey animals are usually
smaller and less powerful than the predator that eats them. Monitor lizards that
eat insects are predators; the insects are their prey.
In a given community, predators compete with other predators for prey
animals. In the wild, a predator’s prey may be another prey’s predator. This
means that while an animal hunts and feeds upon another animal, it can also
become prey to a larger and stronger predator.

Activity 3. Who’s My Predator?

Directions: Fill in the table with the eating pairs. An example is done for you.

Eating Pairs Predator Prey Describe the relationship

Ex: Chicken – ant Chicken Ant The chicken eats the ant.
The ant is eaten by the chicken
1.
2.
3.

GREAT JOB! Let’s explore more about predation.

21
 What’s More

Activity 4. Me and My Food!

Directions: Using the organisms below, identify at least three (3) interactions of
which YOU are involved as a predator. Describe the effect of the relationship to
your prey whether it is benefited, harmed or unaffected by using the given
symbols. Write your answers in Table 3.1 Predator-Prey Relationships in your
Science activity notebook.

+ benefited - harmed O unaffected

Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia and Nikolai Louise L. Mutia

Table 3.1
Eating Pairs Predator Prey Effect of the Predation
Ex: Man – Corn Man Corn Man + Corn -
1. Man- ?
2. Man- ?
3. Man- ?

VERY GOOD! Let’s check what you have learned from the activity.

22
 Lesson

Competition
5

What’s In

In our previous lessons, you have learned four different ecological

relationships. Can you still recall these relationships? Let’s find out by answering
Activity 1.

Activity 1. Picture Talk

Directions: Identify the ecological relationship shown in the pictures. Write your
answers in your Science activity notebook.

Q1. What ecological relationship is shown right in each of the pictures below?

A. ______________________ C. __________________

23
 B.______________________ D. __________________
Illustrations by Fleur Fe L. Mutia, Matt Louise L. Mutia, Nikolai Louise L. Mutia
Wow, it’s nice to learn about these relationships. However, there is still
one more ecological relationship that we have to be familiar with.

What’s New

Activity 2. Picture Analysis

Directions: Answer the questions by describing the relationship that exists

between and among organisms as shown in the pictures. Write your answers in
your science activity notebook.

Q1. What situation is shown in the picture

below?
_________________________________
_________________________________

Q2. What do you think are they competing

for?
_________________________________ Dreamstime.com
_________________________________

Q3. Whatwill happen to the corn plant if

more cogon grasses will grow?
_________________________________ Illustration by Louise Pauline L. Mutia
_________________________________
Image1. Corn and cogon grass

Can you think of other situation that shows a similar situation like this?

Let’s do the next activity.

24
 What is It

In the ecosystem, competition takes place when organisms compete for

limited resources like food, space, shelter or territory and mates. Competition
may happen between organisms of the same species or between different
species. It is an ecological relationship that exists between organisms competing
for a limited resource like food, shelter, territory or mates.
In competition, both the organisms involved are harmed or affected
negatively. It has a negative-negative effect on the organisms.

Activity 3. Fill Me

Directions: Observe each organism in the picture below. Fill in the appropriate
box with the organisms involved and their relationship. Write your answers in
your Science activity notebook. (Note: Item A is done for you as an example.)
What organisms Describe the
Organisms are involved? relationship
1.
The grasses and other
plants compete for
Grasses and space and nutrients.
other plants They are all affected in
the relationship.
2.

3.

Illustrations by Louise Pauline L. Mutia and Matt Louise L. Mutia

25
 You have now an idea about this relationship. Let’s remember this.

What’s More

Activity 4. Friennemies! (Are we friends or enemies?)

Directions: Study the pictures below and fill in the table. Identify the organisms
involved and describe the relationships using the given symbols. Write your
answers in your science activity notebook. (The first example is
done for you.)
Write
if benefitted

if harmed

if unaffected

Participating Symbols to describe

Examples Organisms whether the
organism is
benefited, harmed or
unaffected
Organism Organism Organism Organism
A B A B
1
Trees Smaller
Trees

2.

3.

26
Illustrations by Fleur Fe L. Mutia and Matt Louise L. Mutia

Good work! Let’s now proceed with the next activity

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the missing word. Choose your answers from
the given words in the box. Write your answers in your Science activity notebook

help host food growth

harmed preys home space
interact predator parasite organism
commensals Competition commensalism benefit
relationship Mutualism parasitism Predation

Organisms live in an ecosystem and (1)__________ with each other.

These interactions may benefit or harm other organisms. Others may not be
harmed or affected at all. Some organisms live in a close relationship with other
organisms.

(2)___________ is an ecological relationship where both organisms are

benefited. This relationship exists between soil bacteria rhizobia and legumes
like peanut and bean plants. In this mutualistic relationship, the legumes provide
a (3)______ by forming root nodules for the bacteria to live. The bacteria, in
return, (4)______ the legumes by converting nitrogen from the air into ammonia
that the plant can use for (5)______. Both the legumes and bacteria are
benefited in the (6)________.

(7) ____________ is another relationship where one organism is

benefitted while the other is hunted and killed. In a marine ecosystem, shark eats

27
small fishes. The shark is called the (8)________ and the small fishes eaten by
the shark are the (9)________.

When two or more population use a limited supply of resources,

(10)___________ may occur among the organisms. They compete for
(11)______, light and (12) ______. In this relationship, both the organisms are
(13)_______.

In the ecosystem, birds build their nests on trees but the tree is not
affected at all. This relationship is called (14)__________. The birds benefit from
the relationship. They are called the (15)_________. The tree is the (16)______
and is not affected nor harmed from the relationship.

Another ecological relationship is (17)_______ in which one organism

lives at the expense of another. A parasite depends on the host for food,
nourishment and shelter. Termites live on trees and eat the inside parts of the
tree which may cause its death. The termites are called the (18)______ and the
tree is the host.

What I Can Do

1. Visit your backyard or garden. List down the names of living things or
organisms found in that area. (You can use the common names of the
organisms.)
2. Using your list, identify the different ecological relationships that exist.
3. Describe the effect of the relationship whether the organism is benefited,
harmed or unaffected.
4. Copy the table below and write your answer for this activity in your science
activity notebook. (NOTE: An example is done for you.)
Type of Ecological Describe the relationship
Organisms Involved Relationship (benefitted, harmed, unaffected)
A B Organism A Organism B

28
 butterfly Flower mutualism benefitted Benefitted

Assessment

Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your
answers in your science activity notebook.

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of durian and

lanzones trees competing for space and sunlight?
A. The durian tree is harmed while the lanzones tree is benefited.
B. The durian tree is benefited while the lanzones tree is harmed.
C. The durian tree and lanzones tree are both harmed from the
relationship.
D. The durian tree and lanzones tree are both benefited from the
relationship.

2. The acacia tree provides the ants food and shelter. The ants, on the other
hand, protects the acacia tree from plant-eating insects. This relationship
is the same as that of_____.
A. a mosquito and man C. the grasses in the garden
B. a frog and a cricket D. a bee and a flowering plant

3. Which of the following examples describes commensalism?

A. Tick on the skin of a dog
B. Lions hunting and killing a buffalo
C. An orchid living on a trunk of a mahogany tree
D. An insect larva staying on the leaves of a tomato plant

4. Which of the following examples is competition?

A. Butterfly feeding on nectar of a flower
B. Fishes in the coral reefs looking for food
C. Orchids attach itself on the trunk of a tree
D. A bird making its nest on the branch of the tree

5. Which of the following describes mutualism?

A. Giraffe eating leaves of trees

29
 B. Barnacle sticking on the shell of an oyster
C. An orchid living on a trunk of a mahogany tree
D. Rhizobium bacteria living in the roots of nodules of peanuts
6. Orchid and tree, remora and shark, heron and carabao, frog and plant.
Which of the following groups of organisms are commensals?
A. Orchid, shark, heron, frog C. Tree, shark carabao, plant
B. Orchid, remora, heron, frog D. Tree, remora, carabao, plant

7. Which of the following statements is NOT CORRECT?

A. In mutualism both organisms are benefited.
B. In parasitism, the parasite gets nutrients from its host.
C. In competition, the organisms are both harmed in the relationship.
D. In commensalism, the organisms compete for food, shelter and
protection.

8. In parasitism, the parasites live inside or outside the body of the host in
order to survive. Which of the following organisms is not a parasite?
A. Ant B. Bacteria C. Mosquito D. Tick

9. The ecological relationship of plants in the terrarium is the same kind of

relationship as that of ______.
A. cow and flea C. pigs in the pigpen
B. snake and frog D. crocodile and fish

10. Which of the following statement is TRUE in commensalism?

A. Both of the organisms are harmed.
B. Both of the organisms are benefited.
C. One organism is benefitted while the other is harmed.
D. One organism is benefited while the other is unaffected

11. Which of the following correctly describes the relationship of a dog and a
man?
A. The dog is benefitted while man is harmed.
B. The dog is harmed while man is benefited.
C. The dog is benefitted while man is unaffected.
D. The dog and man both benefits from the relationship.

12. Which of the following examples is a predator-prey relationship?

A. Frog eating mosquitoes
B. Bee feeding on the nectar of a flower
C. Ferns attaching itself on the trunk of a tree
D. Bird making its nest on the branch of the tree
30
13. During harvest time, abundant supply of food is accompanied by the
increase in number of field mice that eats the rice plant. Snakes that hunt
on the field mice will also increase in number. What could be the possible
outcomes if the farmers get rid of the snakes?

I. The food supply will decrease.

II. The snake population will increase.
III. The rice mice population will double.
IV. The rice mice population will take over the snake population.

A. I only B. II and III only C. I and III only D. II and IV only

14. An eagle is eating a fish. The eagle is called_____.

A. commensal C. parasite
B. B. host D. Predator

15. The ecological relationship of fishes in the aquarium is the same as that of
____.
A. mosquito and man
B. a frog and a cricket
C. a bee and a flower
D. carabao grass and bermuda grass in the garden

31
 Additional Activities

Photo Collage

Directions: Make a photo collage of the different relationships in the ecosystem

by cutting out pictures and pasting it in your Science activity notebook.

Rubrics for the Photo Collage

Category Excellent Very Good Good Fair

20 15 10 5
Concept/Idea Concept or idea Concept or idea Concept or Concept or
is very clear is clear and idea is idea does not
and understandable. incomplete. relate to the
understandable. topic.
Organization Information is Information is Information is The
very organized organized with organized but information is
with clear title title and labels. lacking titles not organized.
and labels. and labels.
Presentation The photo The photo The photo The photo
collage is very collage is collage is collage is not
attractive, very attractive, well attractive, attractive and
well organized organized and organized but not organized.
and neat. neat. messy.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed Module 6.

Please proceed to Module 7 and learn more about the ecosystem.

32
 33
Lesson 1 Activity 2 Pair Me!
Pair Organisms Involved Describe the Relationship
Number (A and B) (Benefits the organisms get from each other)
Aphids are benefitted because it gets protection from
the ants against their predators.
Organism A
(Aphids)
2 The ants are also benefitted because it gets nutrients
from the aphids.
Organism B (Ants)
Clownfish gets protection and shelter from the sea
anemone.
Organism A
(Clown Fish)
3 The sea anemone gets nutrients from the clownfish.
Organism B
(Sea Anemone)
Lesson 1 Activity 1 Complete Me!
Ecosystems Biotic Components Abiotic Components
(C)
(A) (B)
Soil, air, water, sunlight
Mountain Trees, animals,
Soil, air, water,
Rice Field Rice plants, grasses, insects, frogs
Note: Any related answers are accepted.
What I Know
1. C 6. A 11. D
2. A 7. D 12. B
3. B 8. B 13. B
4. C 9. B 14. C
5. D 10. C 15. B
Answer Key
 34
Lesson 2 Activity 1. Answer Me!
Q1. Alga and fungus Q2. Mutualism
Activity 2.
Organism A (Host) Organism B (Commensal)
1. Shark Remora
2. Plants Frogs
3. Narra Tree Ferns
Activity 3. You Are My Home
Organism A Organism B Description
1. Tree Orchid The orchid lives on the trunk of the tree.
2. Tree Spider The spider makes its web on the tree.3.
3. Tree Bird The bird makes its nest on the tree.
Lesson 2
Activity 1. Answer Me!
Q1. Alga and fungus Q2. Mutualism
Activity 2.
Organism A (Host) Organism B (Commensal)
1. Shark Remora
2. Plants Frogs
3. Narra Tree Ferns
Activity 3. You Are My Home
Organism A Organism B Description
1. Tree Orchid The orchid lives on the trunk of the tree.
2. Tree Spider The spider makes its web on the tree.3.
3. Tree Bird The bird makes its nest on the tree.
Lesson 1: Activity 3
Example 2
Description: Plants give off oxygen which is used by humans in breathing. Humans give off
carbon dioxide that is used by plants in photosynthesis.
Humans + Plants +
Example 3
Description: Man as host to lactobacillus bacteria provides it with nutrients. Lactobacillus
bacteria, good bacteria, protects man from some. Diseases and helps improve man’s
health.
Man + Lactobacillus bacteria +
Example 4
Description: Hermit crab provides sea anemone with scraps of food from its meal and free
ride to move from place to place. Sea anemone gives the hermit crab protection from its
predators by covering it with its tentacles.
Hermit crab + Sea anemone +
 35
Lesson 3 Activity 1. My Eco-FRIENDS
The answers of the students will vary and are accepted as long as they give
organism pairs showing mutualism.
Activity 2. Picture Talk
Q1. Man and mosquito
Q2. Yes. It feels itchy.
Q3. The mosquito is benefited and man is harmed.
Q4. Parasitism
Q5. The tapeworms live inside the carabao’s body and gets nourishments from the
carabao. The tapeworms are benefited and the carabao is harmed
Activity 3. Friennemy
Organism A Organism B Organism A Organism B
1.
2. Plant Aphids - +
3. Child Worms - +
Activity 4. Word Search
1. Tick 4. Parasite 7. Mosquito 10. Home
2. Leech 5. Tapeworm 8. Lice
3. Host 6. Benefit 9. Harm
 36
Lesson 5 Lesson 4
Activity 1. Picture Talk Activity 1. Interactions Among Organisms
Q1.A. Predation Organisms involved Effects of the
in the relationship Relationship
B. Mutualism Organism Organism Organism Organism Type of
A B A B Ecological
C. Parasitism Relationship
D. Commensalism 1. Man Dog benefited benefited Mutuaism
Activity 2. Picture
2. Man Mosquito harmed benefited Parasitism
Analysis
3. Shark Remora unaffected benefited Commensalism
Q1. Corn plants and
grasses are growing Activity 2. Which Eats What?
together in a particular What Which Which What happened to
area. organisms are is the is the organism being
Q2. The corn plants and involved? eater? eaten? eaten?
A The organism being
grasses compete for Lizard eaten is harmed. It
nutrients, space and Insect Lizard Insect will die.
sunlight.
B The cat eats the rat.
Cat - Rat Cat Rat The rat will die.
Q3. The corn plants will C. The eagle eats the
get less nutrients if more Eagle - Fish Eagle Fish fish. The fish will
die.
grasses will grow.
D. The spider eats the
Spider Spider Small small insect. The
Activity 3. Fill Me Small insect insect small insect will die.
1.. E. The bird eats the
Bird - Worm Bird Worm worm. The worm is
2. Cat and Dog harmed and will die.
The cat and dog
competes for food. Both Activity 3. Who’s My Predator
Students answers will vary and are accepted as long as
of them will be harmed as
they give organism pairs showing predator-prey
they fight for their food. relationship.
3, Chick and chick
Activity 4. Me and My Food
The chicks compete for
Students answers will vary and are accepted as long as
food. Both of them will be they give organisms that serve as their food.
harmed as they fight for
the worm for their food.
 37
Assessment
1. C 6. B 11. D
2. D 7. D 12. A
3. C 8. A 13. C
4. B 9. C 14. D
5. D 10. D 15. D
What I Have Learned Activity 4. Friennemies
1. interact A
2. Mutualism Participating Organisms
3. home
4. help
5. growth A. Trees
6. relationship
7. Predation B. Smaller Trees
8. predator
9. preys B
10. competition Participating Organism
11. food
12. space
A. Rooster
13. harmed
14. commensalism
15. commensals B. Rooster
16. host C
17. Parasitism
18. parasites Participating Organisms
A. Flowers
What I Can Do
Students will vary and are accepted as B. Grasses
long as they give organism pairs showing
the different types of ecological
relationships.
 References

Books
Asuncion, Alvie et.al.. Science - Grade 7 Learner's Material. Pasig City: FEP Printing
Corporation. 2017.

Rabago, Dr. Lilia M.,et.al. Science and Technology 2 - Biology. Metro Manila -Cebu:
Vibal Publishing House, Incorporated. 1990.

Rabago, Lilia Malabago, Ph.D.,et.al. Laboratory Manual and Workbook Science and
Technology 2 Biology. Metro Manila-Cebu: Vibal Publishing House, Incorporated. 1997.

Olivares, Maria et.al. Science and Technology for the Modern World II. Makati City: Diwa
Scholastic Press Inc. ,2003.

Towle, Albert. Modern Biology. United States of America: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
1999.

Electronic Resources

Clipartlook.com.
Source : <a href="https://clipartlook.com/look/5621-coral-reef-clip-art.html" title="Coral
Reef Clip Art">Coral Reef Clip Art</a>. (Accessed June 20, 2020.)

Canva.com. n.d. (Accessed June 22, 2020.)

WikipediaContributors.https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mutualism_(biology)&ol
did=961719398. (Accessed June 10,2020.)

Ryczkowski, Angela. Sciencing. https://sciencing.com/five-types-ecological-

relationships-7786.html. 2018. (Accessed May 20,2020.)

Khan Academy.n.d. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-

ecology/hs-ecological-relationships/a/ecological-interactions.
(Accessed May 20,2020.)

Neistadt, Mrs. Emily. https://www.slideshare.net/emneistadt/ecology-symbiotic-

relationships. 2012. August 19. (Accessed May 25, 2020.)

Reymond. n.d. Ppreymond.weebly. https://ppreymond.weebly.com/biology-essentials--

populations-guided-viewing-worksheet.html. (Accessed May 25, 2020.)

38
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region 10

Zone 1, DepEd Building Masterson Avenue, Upper Balulang

Cagayan de Oro City, 9000
Telefax: (088) 880 7072
E-mail Address: reiogn10@deped.govph