EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

SECOND QUARTER
MODULE 1 – Week 1&2

Most Essential Learning Competency: Explain the evolving concept of life based on emerging
pieces of evidence S11/12LT-IIa-1.

The Beginning of Life on Earth

To the Learners Expectations

Before dwelling into this module, kindly
set aside other tasks that are not relevant or
might trouble you in acquiring this new
learning. Please follow the given instructions
below to ensure success in acquiring new
understanding and accomplishing given tasks.
1.Read and understand all given directions for
each activity.
2.Exercise your skill in writing, jot down
important concepts from this module to your
notebook. Writing it down will enhance your
understanding and memory.
3.Accomplish all given tasks to you. Do not
skip nor leave any given tasks unfinished.
4.On the post test, apply what have you
understood from the given lessons and
activities. This will help you answer the
questions correctly and understand the
concepts.
5.In case of difficulty, kindly ask for
assistance from your parent or subject teacher.
6.Give your best and enjoy learning new
concepts in Science.
In this module, you will learn about the
different theories and hypotheses on the origin
of life on Earth. This will help you understand
these concepts and how it affects us in the
modern times. You will also learn about the
nature, strengths, and weaknesses of each so
you can decide which one is most acceptable.
Specifically, you are expected to learn
the following from this module;
a. name the different theories and
hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth;
b. explain the nature, strengths, and
weaknesses of each theory or hypothesis;
c. compare and contrast each concept
from one another; and
d. determine the most acceptable theory
or hypothesis based from the evidences
present in each concept.

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 PRE- TEST
Direction: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank provided
before the number.
_______1. Which of the following statement BEST describes Special Creation Theory?
A. This belief is commonly found amongst religion wherein a supreme being created
life on Earth.
B. It is a concept in which life existed on Earth because of meteors that fell from the
outer space that contains components of life.
C. It is a belief that living things came from non-living things.
D. This concept explains the emergence of life on Earth from a primordial soup that
contains the necessary material in a favorable to produce life.
________2. Which theory or hypothesis was disproved by the experiment of Francesco Redi using
flasks filled with meat?
A. Biogenesis Theory C. Spontaneous Generation Theory
B. Oparin’s Hypothesis D. Urey- Miller Hypothesis
________3. Which of the following is also called as Panspermia Theory?
A. Cosmozoic Theory C. Biogenesis Theory
B. Abiogenesis Theory D. Spontaneous Generation Theory
________4. Which of the following was produced in the experiment made by Stanley Miller and
Harold Urey?
A. Amino acids C. Deoxyribonucleic acid
B. Carbon dioxide D. Fat
________5. What is common about Abiogenesis Theory, Spontaneous Generation Theory, and Miller-
Urey Hypothesis?
A. All three concepts believed that life came from non-life.
B. These concepts were proved by laboratory experiments
C. All three concepts explain the emergence of life from living organisms
D. All three concepts stated that the existence of life on Earth were brought by
heavenly bodies that fell from the universe

Looking Back
Four Pics, One Word

Direction: Use the four pictures inside each box to figure out the word to be written inside the
empty boxes.

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 Brief Introduction
One of the common questions asked among Filipinos is this, “alin ba ang nauna, itlog o
manok?”, and each of us has our own respective choice supported by self-acquired information from
our school, surrounding, or what was told to us by our elders. The question is very tricky because
you need a chicken to lay eggs while you need eggs to produce chicken. But Science already has the
answer. Egg-laying organisms were first to exist on our planet but chickens were product of
evolutionary process from chicken-like organism in the early life of Earth, yet another question
came.

The existence of life on Earth has been a great deal to scientists and religious people and even
scientists themselves proposed different theories and hypotheses to explain the emergence of life in
our planet. Some of these theories and hypotheses were supported by experiments conducted by
scientists from different times. The first one was narrated in the book of Genesis. This is called Special
Creation Theory. This is purely based on the belief that a
supreme being created life on Earth as it is today. These
organisms created by the supreme being were the same as
the organisms living today and there is no evolution
involved.

The second theory is called Abiogenesis Theory or

Spontaneous Generation Theory. These concepts were
product of observed Figure 1. The Experimental Set-up similar to the one used by Redi
https://www.sutori.com/item/scientist-francesco-redi-s-meat-experiment
occurrences during the
early times such as the appearance of maggots on meat and mice
on bread and cheese wrapped in cloth. The concept believes that
“life came from non-life”. However, this theory was contradicted
by Rudolf Virchow. He said that life can only come from life”
though he has no evidence to support his claim and that gives rise
to Biogenesis Theory.

Experiments were done by Francesco Redi using flasks

filled with meat. The experiment done by Redi is shown in the
picture in Figure 1. The set-up shows that flies laid their eggs on
Figure 2. Experimental Set-up by Pasteur uncovered meat that soon develops into maggots. Louis Pasteur
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louis_P
asteur_Experiment.svg
also conducted an experiment that disprove Abiogenesis Theory.
His experiment involves the use of swan neck flasks filled with
boiled broth. The results shows that microorganisms grew on flasks without neck, see Figure 2.

Another theory is called Oparin- Haldane Hypothesis. Though Alexander Oparin and J.B.S.
Haldane did not really worked on the concept together, their individual works shared similarity in
content. Their theory explains that life existed from inorganic
substances like hydrogen gas, water vapor, ammonia, and
methane are present in the atmosphere and natural forces like
lightning and ultraviolet rays were involved in the formation of
early components of life such as amino acids.

In 1953, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey performed an

experiment based on hypothesis of Oparin and Haldane. Using
an experimental set-up that contains NH3, CH4, H2, and water
sealed in a closed system and electrical sparks that aimed to
mimic the environment in the early times, they successfully Figure 3. Miller – Urey Experiment
produced amino acids which are essential building block of https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/
history-of-life-on-earth/history-life-on-
proteins, see Figure 3. Their work was called Miller- Urey earth/a/hypotheses-about-the-origins-of-life
Hypothesis. They were able to prove that organic molecules (e.g. amino acids, sugars, and lipids) can
be produced from simple compounds.

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 Coacervate Theory was also proposed by Alexander Oparin.
This theory explains that early life forms on may originated from
“coacervates” which are colloidal substances made from colloids
composed of proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. Coacervates are non-
living, yet it can absorb nutrition and grow under favorable conditions.

The last theory proposed that life on Earth originated from the
outer space. This is called Cosmozoic Theory or Panspermia Theory.
This theory came from the discovery of amino acids, building block of
protein, in carbon-rich meteorites. Scientists proposed that life on Figure 3. A meteorite being analyzed by
Earth came from other parts of the universe. Mars is believed to have ANSMET
https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/6253
liquid water before and Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, is believed 64main_FTT_meteorite_17932.gif
to have underground oceans, though having water does not necessarily
means there is presence of life.

Activity 1

Picture Analysis

Objective: Determine the uniqueness of each theory of hypothesis on the origin of life on Earth.

Direction: Read and understand the given situation below. Answer the guide questions that follows.

Edmund would want to know if life can really emerge from non-living things. He decided to
perform the experiment similar to the one performed by Fanrcesco Redi. He place three pieces of meat
in three different jars. The first jar was uncovered, the second one was covered with cork, and the
thirs was covered with mesh cloth. After a week, his experimental set-up looks similar to the picture
presented here.

Guide Questions

1. What do you think causes the emergence of maggots on the meat placed in the first jar?

2. Why is it that the other meats found in second and third jar have no maggots in it?

3. How did this experiment prove the concept of origin of life presented by Franceso Redi?

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 Activity 2
Same Difference!

Objective: Compare and contrast theories and/or hypotheses about the origin of life.

Direction: Choose one pair of theories or hypotheses from each number below. Using the empty
Venn diagram, state the differences and similarities of your chosen pair.

1. Abiogenesis Theory vs. Biogenesis Theory

2. Cosmozoic Theory vs. Special Creation Theory
3. Miller – Urey Hypothesis vs. Oparin- Haldane Hypothesis

.
.

Activity 3
Believable!

Objective: Identify one theory or hypothesis that is most acceptable based from the given
information.

Direction: Choose one theory or hypothesis that you will consider to be as the most acceptable or
“believable” idea or concept to prove the origin of life. Explain your choice by writing an essay not
less than 100 words.

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 Remember

• Stromatolite is the oldest evidence of life on Earth which dates back 3.5 billion years
ago.
• The book of Genesis found in the bible narrates the creation of life on Earth by a
supreme being.
• The success of producing amino acids from the experiment conducted by Miller and
Urey prove that living components can be produced in a laboratory using non-living
molecules such as methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen gas (H2), and water vapor.
• The discovery of amino acids in carbon- rich meteorites presents the possibility that life
is also present in other parts of the universe.
• The presence of water in other heavenly bodies does not guarantee the existence of life
or it existed once, though water is essential for living things.
• Coacervates are non-living things but possess characteristics like living things such as
absorption of nutrients and growth. But this molecule cannot reproduce and maintain
internal balance or homeostasis which is an important characteristics of living
organisms.

Check your Understanding

Sum It Up!

Direction: Complete the graphic organizer below by filling in the boxes with words that describes or
defines each theory or hypothesis.

The Beginning of Life

Special Creation Spontaneous Urey-Miller

Cosmozoic Theory
Theory Generation Theory Hypothesis

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 POST- TEST

Direction: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank provided
before the number.
_______1. Which among following theory was disproved by Louis Pasteur and Francesco Redi?

A. Biogenesis Theory C. Panspermia Theory

B. Coacervate Theory D. Spontaneous Generation Theory

_______2. What important molecule was produced by Miller and Urey when they tested the

hypothesis of Oparin and Haldane by experiment?

A. Amino Acids C. Methane

B. Carbon dioxide D. Protein

________3. Which pair of theories or hypotheses were both proposed by Alexander Oparin?

A. Cosmozoic Theory and Coacervate Theory

B. Panspermia Theory and Special Creation Theory
C. Coacervate Theory and Oparin- Haldane Hypothesis
D. Abiogenesis Theory and Spontaneous Generation Theory

_________4. Which among the theories and hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth, Special

Creation Theory is most different because:

A. It undergone series of experimentation to prove that it is true

B. It uses different observation and scientific techniques
C. It is supported by evidence
D. It is purely based on religious belief

_________5. Which of the following molecules is not abundant during the early formation of our

planet;

A. Methane B. Hydrogen gas C. Oxygen gas D. Ammonia

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 Reflection
Direction: Based on your understanding of the different lessons presented in this module, express
your critical and creative understanding of each lesson by accomplishing this Reflective Learning
Sheet and answering the questions inside the boxes.

What have you What learning do How will you apply What do you want
learned from this you appreciate this learning in to know more in
module? most from this your life? relation to this
module? module??

References
• Clores, M.A. (2016). Earth and Life Science. LJ Graphics and Literacy Component. Quezon
City, Philippines
• Salazar, R.A., et.al. Workbook in Earth and Life Science. Our Lady of Fatima University
• https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/which-came-first-chicken-or-egg

• https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-biogenesis-definition-theory.html

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louis_Pasteur_Experiment.svg

• https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/history-of-life-on-earth/history-life-on-
earth/a/hypotheses-about-the-origins-of-life

• https://apnewtechbiology.wordpress.com/lab-
reports/#:~:text=How%20do%20coacervates%20differ%2C%20and,homeostasis%20like%20li
ving%20cells%20can.

• https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/life-components.html

• https://www.pikist.com/search?q=tenacious+of+life

• https://www.pikist.com/search?q=symbol+trees&page=5

• https://www.peakpx.com/631111/son-baby-life-love-baby-boy-playing-childhood-one-
person

• https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/history-of-life-on-earth/history-life-on-
earth/a/hypotheses-about-the-origins-of-life