7

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 7
Components of an Ecosystem:
Biotic and Abiotic
Science– Grade 7
Quarter 2 – Module 7: Components of an Ecosystem: Biotic and Abiotic

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Catherine V. Tatel

Content Editors: Imaculate T. Latorre, Jose Roy S. Aguilar, Ma. Claudette C. Borrega,
Niño Gerard C. Ceneta

Language Editors: Anabel B. Tendenilla, Imee S. Gabion

Layout Artist: Catherine V. Tatel

Reviewers: Agnes B. Barsaga, Jose Roy Aguilar, Nerisa I. Baldo, Eva Joy A.
Molina, Jose A. Austero, Marisol U. Valeza, Mary May L. Arnesto,
Mark Miko S. Mendoza and John Sherwin V. Santelices
Evaluators: Helen Z. Cornelio, Jocelyn P. Navera, Jezrahel T. Omadto
and Ronaldo C. Reyes
 Self- Learning Module for Junior High School Learners

LESSON
COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM: BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC

An environment is a place where organisms live. In the

ecosystem, organisms and the environment interact with each other.
An ecosystem can be terrestrial or aquatic. An ecosystem is composed
of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components which are
interdependent with one another.
.

Getting to know the biotic and abiotic components

of an ecosystem is very important for us to understand the
amazing interaction in the world that we live in.

Differentiate biotic from abiotic components of an

ecosystem
(S7LT-IIh-9)

• Classify the components of an ecosystem as biotic and

abiotic.
• Differentiate biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
• Describe how organisms interact with each other and with
environment

Directions: Classify the BIOTIC and ABIOTIC FACTORS by putting

a check on the correct column.

Sample Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors

Plants
Animals
Sunlight
Water
Soil

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 Hi! How did you find the activity?
Please check your answers in the answer key section and
see how you did. Don’t worry if you got a low score, this just
means that there are more things that you can learn from
this module. So, hop on!

MIX AND MATCH

Directions: From the poster below identify and classify the
components of an ecosystem as biotic and abiotic. Be creative as
you explore the ecosystem by adding more biotic and abiotic
components which can be found in marine ecosystem but cannot
be seen in this poster. Write your answers in your answer sheet.
sunlight
air
School of fish

water

corals

turtle

sand
crabs rocks
shrimp

algae
Figure 1. Life giving sunlight underwater sun beams shinning underwater tropical coral reef. Digital image.
FreePik. Accessed August 10, 2020, https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/life-giving-sunlight-underwater-
sun-beams-shinning-underwater-tropical-coral-reef_8410823.htm

Great job! You have finished the activity! Now, take time to process the information you
acquired by accomplishing the next task.

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 What Does It Mean to Be Alive?
Asuncion,Alvie S. et al ., (2017) , What Does it Mean to Be Alive? Science 7 Learner’s Material,
Dep Ed – BLR, Pasig City, Pholippines 1600

Directions: Analyze the given situation and answer the corresponding

questions provided. Write your answers in your answer sheet.
1. Observe your surroundings. On a separate sheet of paper, describe or draw the place.

Q1. What are the things that you see in your surroundings?

Q2. Which of these things are living? Which of these things are non-living?

Q3. What characteristics do living things have in common? In what ways are
living things similar?

Q4. What characteristics do non-living things have in common? In what ways are
nonliving things similar?

Q5. What interactions do you observe among the living and non-living things?

Q6. What makes living things different from non-living things?

Biotic and abiotic are the two important factors responsible in shaping
the ecosystem. The biotic factors refer to the living component while
abiotic factors refer to the non-living, chemical and physical
components of an ecosystem.
The term “biotic” is formed by the combination of two terms, “bio” meaning life and
“ic” meaning like. Thus, the term means life-like is related to all the living entities present in
an ecosystemi. The term “abiotic” comes from the root parts “a-” meaning “without” and
“bio” meaning “life”, these terms mean without life is related to all non-living things in an
ecosystem.
The biotic factor or biotic component is the living organism that shapes an
ecosystem.
• Biotic factors include plants, animals, bacteria, algae, and all other living forms present
in an ecosystem.
• An ecosystem is a complex system of living and non-living things; the living part of the
system forms the biotic factors.
• Biotic factors include all producers, consumers, and decomposers that are involved in
the transformation and transport of energy through the food cycle.
• These biotic factors are also responsible for diseases and outbreaks.
• Producers are the group of organisms that make up their own food through processes
like photosynthesis.
• All green plants contain chlorophyll as the photosynthetic pigment for the process of
photosynthesis. Other pigments are also found in some bacteria, algae, and
phytoplankton for photosynthesis.
• Some producers generate food by the process of chemosynthesis, which derives the
energy from chemical reactions, rather than sunlight.
• Consumers are the groups of organisms that feed on producers, directly or indirectly,
for energy and food.

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 • Consumers reside in separate trophic levels, as primary and secondary consumers.
Primary consumers are herbivores that directly dependent on autotrophs or producers.
Secondary consumers, in turn, feed on primary consumers.
• Biotic factors of the ecosystem are responsible for capturing the energy for the
conversion of inorganic compounds into organic compounds.
• Biotic factors, with abiotic factors, determine the nature of the ecosystem and
ecological niches.

The abiotic factors or abiotic components of an ecosystem are the non-living physical and
chemical composition of nature.
• Abiotic factors include factors like sunlight, water resource, air, soil, rocks, tides,
temperature, rain, and humidity, among others.
• These factors affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of living organisms and their
functioning in the ecosystem.
• All the environment resources are either utilized by different living organisms or made
unavailable to organisms after being utilized by other organisms.
• Natural degradation of various components like chemicals or rocks occurs via physical
processes.
• Abiotic factors are composed of all non-living organisms, like atmospheric conditions
and water resources.
• The abiotic component of an ecosystem also defers on the basis of the type of
ecosystem. Sand plays an essential role as an abiotic factor in the desert ecosystem,
whereas rainfall is an abiotic component in the tropical forest ecosystem.
• Biotic factors of different ecosystems adapt to the abiotic factors of that particular
ecosystem.
• The abiotic factors also affect the living organisms of the ecosystems. Depending on
the ability of the organisms, only the organisms capable of withstanding these abiotic
factors will survive in such ecosystems.
• Sometime, these factors might even evolve the nature of different ecosystems. Lack of
rainfall might convert a tropical ecosystem into the desert ecosystem.

Comparison between abiotic and biotic factors.

Basis for Comparison Abiotic Factors
Meaning nonliving things of an
ecosystem
Examples sunlight, temperature,
energy, wind, water, soil,
etc.,
Relationship Determine the number and
type of living organisms
surviving in an ecosystem
Dependency Do not depend on biotic
factors for their existence
Adaptation (Approach Do not have the ability to
towards change) adapt according to the
environmental conditions
Limiting Factors Changes in any abiotic
factor might bring significant
changes in the biotic factors
Biotic Factors
living things in an
ecosystem
plants, trees, animals,
microorganisms etc.
Living organisms might be
directly or indirectly related
to other organisms in an
ecosystem
Depend on abiotic factors
for their survival and growth
Capable of adapting to
changes in the environment
Changes in one biotic factor
rarely cause changes in
other group

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 The significance of abiotic and biotic factors comes in their interaction with each other.
For a community or an ecosystem to survive, the correct interactions need to be in place.
A simple example would be of abiotic interaction in plants. Water, sunlight and carbon
dioxide are necessary for plants to grow. The biotic interaction is that plants use water, sunlight
and carbon dioxide to create their own nourishment through a process called photosynthesis.
On a larger scale, abiotic interactions refer to patterns such as climate and seasonality.
Factors such as temperature, humidity and the presence or absence of seasons affect the
ecosystem. For instance, some ecosystems experience cold winters with a lot of snow. An
animal such as a fox within this ecosystem adapts to these abiotic factors by growing a thick,
white-colored coat in the winter.
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi are examples of biotic interactions on such
a scale. Decomposers function by breaking down dead organisms. This process returns the
basic components of the organisms to the soil, allowing them to be reused within that
ecosystem.

I - Directions: Classify the components of an ecosystem as biotic and abiotic. Write B if

your answer is Biotic and write A if your answer is Abiotic

1. air 9. oxygen
2. sand 10. sunlight
3. trees 11. moisture
4. rocks 12. grasshopper
5. water 13. temperature
6. algae 14. Carbon dioxide
7. corals 15. Bacteria/Decomposers
8. clouds

II-Direction: Read and analyze the statements then put a check on the corresponding
column if the statement refers to BIOTIC or ABIOTIC.

Statements/Description Biotic Abiotic

Factors Factors
1. Non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment
which affect ecosystems.
2. All living things- autotrophs and heterotrophs- plants, animals,
fungi, bacteria.
3. Depend to other components of an ecosystem in order to
survive.
4. Limits the growth and development of organisms.
5. Does not have the ability to adapt to any changes.
6. Living component of an ecosystem

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 7. Water, light, wind, soil, minerals, gases etc. are example of
this
8. Do not depend to other components of an ecosystem for their
survival.
9. Responds to stimuli and contain hereditary materials
10. Have the ability to adapt to changes for survival.

III- BIOTIC VS ABIOTIC

Directions: Write A for Abiotic and B for Biotic and in the areas with open space to identify
the object and briefly explain what could possibly happen in the given situations.
1. The rocks (___) in the river are continuously decreasing due to quarrying activities, what
could happen to the organisms like; fish, shrimp and crabs (___) and to the community that
resides in that area?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. The trees (___) in the mountains were cut down and the lands (___) were flattened for the
construction of factories and condominiums. How will this affect the air and the organisms that
inhabit in that area?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. The fish (___) caught in the ocean are continuously decreasing due to overfishing using
fine nets and dynamites, what would happen in the corals (___) and to the livelihood of
fishermen in the near future?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. The humans (___) are dumping their waste materials in the body of water (___). How will
this affect the plants and animals in that area? In the community?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations on finishing the self-learning

module! You have just had an amazing learning journey,
and for sure, you will have the same in the succeeding
modules.
This time, share to the class your final insights
by completing the following sentence prompts.
,
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 To strengthen what you have learned in this module, perform
the following additional tasks. You may choose one from Task A
and Task B.

Task A. Visit a nearby nature spot and observe. After observing, try to do a nature
writing activity in a form of story, poem or essay. When you’re done, highlight the biotic
and abiotic factors in your writing using different colors as a form of
differentiation/classification. e.g. green color for biotic and gray color for abiotic.

Task B. DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) DIORAMA MADE ECOSYSTEM

Directions:
1. From the given sample below of diorama you may choose on what type of
ecosystem you want to make.
2. Always be guided by the rubrics in making your own diorama
3. You may refer to the clip arts about biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem
found on the last page of this module.
4. Make your diorama a simple one
Materials needed:
Shoebox or any box glue scissor ruler
Watercolor colored paper soil sand
thread or yarn used illustration board/folder
mini plants and toy animals (miniature)
cut-out images of plants or animals
any available materials that suited to this activity
Figure 5. Project for School. Digital image. FreePik. Figure 6. Forest Biome Ideas for School Projects. Digital
Accessed August 10, 2020, https://www.pinterest.com/ Image. Accessed August 10, 2020,
https://www.pinterest.com/
Rubrics for diorama
4 3 2 1
Accuracy Diorama Diorama Diorama Diorama
ecosystem is ecosystem is not ecosystem is ecosystem is
very accurate very accurate but missing one missing two or
and shows biotic shows biotic and important more important
and abiotic abiotic factors components but components but
factors interactions shows biotic and shows biotic and
interactions. abiotic factors abiotic factors
interactions interactions
Creativity The students The students The students did The students
used recycled used some not use recycled used ready-
materials to recycled materials to made materials
create their materials to create their to create their
chosen create their chosen chosen
ecosystem chosen ecosystem ecosystem
ecosystem.
Neatness Very neat Is neat Has stray marks Messy
Color Used Used some Rarely used Used
realistic/natural realistic/natural realistic/natural inappropriate
color to model color to model color to model colors to model
the biotic and biotic and abiotic biotic and abiotic biotic and abiotic
abiotic factors factors factors factors

The following terms used in this module are defined as follows:

Abiotic components or abiotic factors– are non-living chemical and physical parts of the
environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of the ecosystem.
- are non-living chemical and physical elements in the environment, which affect
individual organisms as well as ecosystems. Examples are UV, IR and visible light, radiation,
temperature, wind, humidity, water, pH, heavy metals, atmospheric gases, soil chemicals, and
more generally climate.
Biotic components or biotic factors- are the living organisms present in an ecosystem, such
as bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, and elements produced by them.
- Is any living component that interacts with another organism and affects it in some way.

Diorama – a model that shows a situation, such as a historical event or animals in their natural
environment, in a way that looks real.
- a scene, often miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects,
figures, etc., in front of a painted background.

Ecosystem- All the organisms that live in a place, along with their physical environment
Venn Diagram- a diagram representing mathematical or logical sets pictorially as circles or
closed curves within an enclosing rectangle (the universal set), common elements of the sets
being represented.by intersections of the circles.

I- Direction: Write T if the statement is TRUE and F if the statement is FALSE.

1. Sunlight, temperature, wind, water and soil are examples of biotic factors.
2. Plants and animals are examples of abiotic factors.
3. Biotic factors depend on abiotic factors for their survival.
4. Any slight changes on abiotic factors may limit the growth and development of biotic factors.
5. Biotic factors adapt to changes in the abiotic factors in order to survive.

II- Directions: Complete the sentences by supplying the word from the box below.

biotic abiotic
plants animals
temperature air
rainforest desert

1. Ecosystems are made up of ________ and _________ factors.

2. __________ and ___________ are examples of biotic factors.
3. ____________and _____, are examples of abiotic factors
4. ___________ and _________ are examples of some components that are combination of
both biotic and abiotic factors.
TRY THIS

Sample Biotic Abiotic

Factors Factors
Plants ̷
Animals ̷
Sunlight ̷
Water ̷
Soil ̷

DO THIS

BIOTIC ABIOTIC

Fish Water
Turtle Rocks
Corals Sand
Algae Sunlight
Crabs & shrimps Air

EXPLORE
What Does It Mean to Be Alive?
1. Depending on the nature of your surroundings, the students will probably see
rocks, soil, water, insects and plants.
2. In the sample answer to Q1, the living things include insects and plants; the
nonliving things include the rocks, soil and water.
3. They will probably observe that the insects move and that both the insects
and plants respond to stimuli.
4. They will probably observe that, except for the water that is fluid, the rocks
and soil are stationary; but nonliving things do not respond to stimuli.
5. They will probably observe small plants inhabiting the rocks; or ants making
anthills.
6. Accept as many answers for this question as possible. Their answers may
include properties they mentioned in answering Q3 and Q4.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

I-
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. A
6. B 7. B 8. A 9. A 10.A
11. A 12. B 13. A 14. A 15. B
 II-

Statements/Description Biotic Abiotic

Factors Factors
1. Non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment ̷
which affect ecosystems.
2. All living things- autotrophs and heterotrophs- plants, animals, ̷
fungi, bacteria.
3. Dependent to other components of an ecosystem in order to ̷
survive.
4. Limits the growth and development of organisms. ̷
5. Does not have the ability to adapt to any changes. ̷
6. Living component of an ecosystem ̷
7. Water, light, wind, soil, minerals, gases etc. are example of ̷
this
8. Do not depend to other components of an ecosystem for their ̷
survival.
9. Responds to stimuli and contain hereditary materials ̷
10. Have the ability to adapt to changes for survival. ̷

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

BIOTIC VS ABIOTIC
1. Rocks (A)
Fishes, shrimp & crabs (B)

Possible answer:
Due to quarrying activities the natural habitat of the organisms like fish, shrimp, crabs
and etc. could be damage which will lead into decrease of catch or food supply that
the community can get from the river. The quality of water will also be affected. The
continuous quarrying will widen the river and destroy the natural landscape that will
cause the erosion of lands and floods in the low-lying areas especially in times of heavy
rains or typhoons.

2. Trees (B)
Lands (A)

Possible answer:
Trees act as an air purifier because it uses the carbon dioxide released into the air that
came from animals, factories, vehicles and a lot more (through the process of
photosynthesis). Without trees the air would become very polluted and it would be very
difficult for us to breath, it will cause a lot of respiratory diseases to humans. The cutting
of trees and flattening of the lands will cause erosion and the organism that inhabit in
that area will be endangered or become extinct.

3. Fish (B)
Corals (B)
 Possible answer:
The use of fine nets can catch even the small fishes which will lead to overfishing. Fish
should not be caught in a very young age so that they can still reach their mature size,
for them to be able to hatch eggs and continue the reproduction cycle, in that way the
next generation could still have fishes to catch. The use of dynamites can destroy the
corals or marine ecosystem which will also lead into mass death of organisms living in
that area. Without a healthy marine ecosystem to live in, there will be no other forms
of life that will continue to prosper or grow, which means scarcity of food supply for us
humans whom are very dependent to other forms of animals in order to survive.

4. Humans (B)
Water (A)

Possible answer:

The dumping of waste materials to the body of water can harm or poison the body of
water. The organisms living in that area could possibly be poisoned and die. If humans
accidentally ate a fish with toxic elements in their body, it could be transferred to human
body which can lead to poisoning, paralysis or death.

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

I. TRUE OR FALSE
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. T
II.

1. Biotic and Abiotic

2. Plants and Animals
3. Temperature and Air
4. Rainforest and desert

Bio Differences, “Difference Between Abiotic and Biotic Factors”, last modified July 3, 2017,
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-abiotic-and-biotic-factors.html

BYJU’S The Learning App, “Biotic and Abiotic”, accessed August 10, 2020,
https://byjus.com/biology/biotic-and-abiotic/

Dictionary.com, “diorama”, accessed August 10, 2020,

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/diorama
Diffen, “Abiotic vs. Biotic”, accessed August 10, 2020,
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Abiotic_vs_Biotic

McLaughlin, Katy, “Abiotic Factors”, Biology Dictionary, last modified May 16, 2020,
https://biologydictionary.net/abiotic-factors/

Life giving sunlight underwater sun beams shinning underwater tropical coral reef. Digital
image. FreePik. Accessed August 10, 2020, https://www.freepik.com/premium-
photo/life-giving-sunlight-underwater-sun-beams-shinning-underwater-tropical-coral-
reef_8410823.htm

Nature, “Abiotic”, accessed August 10, 2020, https://www.nature.com/subjects/abiotic

Nature, “Biotic”, accessed August 10, 2020, https://www.nature.com/subjects/biotic

Lexico, “Venn diagram”, accessed August 10, 2020,

https://www.lexico.com/definition/venn_diagram

Sapkota, Anupama, 10 differences between Biotic and Abiotic Factors, July 14, 2020,
Retrieved from https://microbenotes.com/biotic-vs-abiotic-factors/

Science – Grade 7 Learner’s Material First Edition. Pasig: Department of Education, 2017