EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE 11

2nd QUARTER
Module 7

Biotic Potential and

Environmental Resistance

DR. ROWENA S. NAVIDAD

Master Teacher I

Most Essential Learning Competencies

Categorize the different biotic potential and environmental resistance (e.g., diseases, availability
of food, and predators) that affect population explosion S11/12LT-IVhj- 2

To the Learner
This module was specially designed to help you understand and apply the
lesson objectives. Read and follow the simple instructions as your guide.
1. Set a conducive learning space at home so you can focus on your studies.
2. Seek assistance from your parents or guardian to guide you in doing the
activities.
3. Take down important concepts and list questions you would like to ask from
your teacher.
4. Reflect and apply the concepts that you have learned.
The Writer
 Expectations
The learners should be able to classify the different biotic potential and
environmental resistance that influence Population growth.

Specifically, the learners should be able to:

a. define and differentiate biotic potential and environmental resistance;
b. illustrate and explain the different population distribution patterns and
c. understand the different mechanisms that regulates population explosion.

Pretest

Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
blank provided before the number.

____1. It is the ability of a population of a particular species to multiply under ideal

environmental conditions.
A. biotic potential B. carrying capacity
C. environmental factor D. environmental resistance
___2. It refers to the maximum capacity of an ecosystem to sustain a population of
organisms without deteriorating.
A. biological capacity B. biotic potential
C. carrying capacity D. environmental potential
___3. It is the letter shape showing the growth of a population that is growing
exponentially.
A. J B. L C. M D. S
___4. What do you call the factor that happens when a population grows once births
exceed deaths.
A. Emigration B. Immigration C. Mortality D. Natality
___5. What is the relationship between biotic potential and environmental
resistance?
A. Biotic potential and environmental resistance are both factors that limit
the population growth of species.
B. Biotic potential and environmental resistance are both factors that
increases the population of species.
C. Biotic potential increases the population of a species while environmental
resistance limits its growth.
D. Biotic potential increases the population of a species while environmental
resistance decreases its growth.

2
 Looking Back
A. 0bjective: Identify the Biological Level of Organization
Direction : Label the diagram below by choosing the correct answer on the
box.

B. Objective: Recall the components of Ecosystem

Direction: From the illustration of the ECOSYSTEM give at least 3 examples of
the following:

EC0SYSTEM

A. Biotic Factors (Living things)

1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________

B. Abiotic Factors ( Non-living

things)

1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________

Brief Introduction
Biotic potential is the ability of a population of living species to increase
under ideal environmental conditions – sufficient food supply, no predators, and a
lack of disease. An organism’s rate of reproduction and the size of each litter are the
primary determining factors for biotic potential. Environmental resistance is adverse
biotic and abiotic factors that raise the death rate of a population.

Carrying capacity is the optimal maximum density of a population can be

supported by a defined space. If the population approaches or exceeds the carrying
capacity, competition for resources will set limits to the population density.
Population explosion is a result when all conditions favorable to the population
occurs for an extended period of time. In order to survive, most organisms need air,
food, water, shelter, sunlight, and space. Without these resources, they would be

3
unable to grow, develop, and reproduce.

Activity 1

A. Biotic Potential!
0bjective: Describe the Biotic potential of some common animals
Direction: Study the pictures of mosquitoes and an elephant and their description
then answer the questions below.

Guide Questions:
1. Which reproduced faster? __________________________
2. Which reproduced slower? _________
3. Which has many offspring? _________ few offspring?__________
4. How will you compare the population growth of a mosquito and an
elephant?___________________
5. Give at least 2 examples each of animals which are capable of producing an
offspring like that of a mosquito and an elephant.__________________________
6. How will you define Biotic Potential based from the given example?_________

Environmental Resistance
Think and Analyze!
0bjective: Describe environmental resistance
Direction: Take a closer look at the figure below and answer the following
questions sensibly:

Exampl es of Envir onmental

Resi stance
Decreasing oxygen low food
supply, disease, predators, and
limited space contribute to
environmental resistance,
which resulted to the decline of
the population.

Guide Questions:
1. What is environmental resistance?_______________________________________
2. Explain in your own understanding the effects of the following environmental
resistance to the population growth of species.
a. Decreasing oxygen__________________________________________________
b. Low food supply_____________________________________________________
c. Disease_____________________________________________________________
d. Predators____________________________________________________________
 e. Limited space ______________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Understanding population growth patterns
Two types of population growth patterns may occur depending on specific
environmental conditions, Limiting factors, such as food and space, cause a
population to stop increasing.

Biotic Potential (EXP0NENTIAL GR0WTH) Environmental Resistance(L0GISTIC GR0WTH)

An exponential growth
pattern (J curve) occurs in an
ideal, unlimited environment.
In such an environment there
will be no competition to place
limits on a geometric rate of
growth.
Now lets try this…
https://www.slideserve.com/finian/biology
A logistic growth pattern (S
curve) occurs when
environmental pressures slow
the rate of growth. Logistic
population growth will occur
when population numbers
begin to approach
a finite carrying capacity.

1. Analyze the data in Table1 and predict what type of growth pattern
(exponential or logistic) has occurred in the rabbit population? ___________
2. Plot a graph of the Rabbit population Growth to check if your prediction is right
. Use the grid line below then interpret your graph.

Think Critically:

1. What kind of pattern resulted in your graph? ____________________________

2. How will you explain such pattern?
______________________________________
4
 3. Animals such as snakes and cats often prey on rabbits. Based on the growth
curve of the rabbit population, what might have happened if a group of
predators moved into the rabbit’s habitat during the 10th generation?_______
4. When population growth levels off due to limiting factors, the population has
reached its _______________.

Activity 3
A. Factors Affecting population Growth
Objective: Determine the factors that affect population growth
Directions: 1. Study the sign indicated in the illustration.
2.Write the correct factor that is being described in the box that affects
the population growth.

B.Population explosion?
A population explosion is when a population lacks limited resources so is able
to grow out of control.

https://populationeducation.org/what-biotic-potential/

Critical thinking: Analyze the picture above and answer the questions below
1. What is a population explosion? How quickly is our population growing each
year? What about each day? __________________________________
2. What will happen when the human population exceeds the earth's carrying
capacity?__________________________________________________________

5
 Check Your Understanding
Complete me!
Direction : Fill in the blanks with the correct words given in the box below to
complete the paragraph.

limits, competition , mortality , migration , population

explosion, species, emigration, carrying capacity, natality,
increase,
Biotic potential of organisms makes the population 1.______ while
environmental resistance 2._________ the population on growing relentlessly. Biotic
potential and environmental resistance affect the 3. __________, which is defined as the
maximum population of a 4. _________ an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely without
being degraded due to deterioration and damage.

As the population continous to grow, eventually 5. _______increases as

availability of resources are reduced. on the other hand 6. _________ leads to an
increase in the population while 7. __________ makes the population to decrease. 8.
_________ decreases the population if an individual moves out from the area while 9.
_________ can cause the increase of population in an area. Which if not had been
controlled can lead to 10.____________.

Remember
 Biotic potential is what urges a population to grow. Biotic potential has to do
with how well a species can survive, including how well adapted it is to the
environment and its rate of reproduction.
 The factors that limit the biotic potential of an organism are called
environmental resistance. These factors include abiotic and biotic factors that
limit the organism from endlessly increasing its population. Biotic factors
include predation, competition, parasitism, and diseases. Abiotic factors include
climatic conditions, fire, and temperature.
 Carrying capacity is the maximum population of a given species that a certain
ecosystem can sustain indefinitely without being degraded. Limiting Factors are
environmental conditions that control the rate at which a process (e.g.
population growth) can occur.

7
 Bear in mind…
Population growth depends on the following factors.

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/op
tion-c-ecology-and-conser/c5-
population-ecology/population-

Posttest
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
blank provided before the number.

___1. It is the factor that happens when a population grow once births exceed deaths
A.Emigration B. Immigration C. Mortality D. Natality
___2. Carrying capacity refers to ________.
A. litter size
B. reproductive rate
C. the proportion of males to female
D. the maximum size of population the environment will support.
____3. As a population grow, the factor that slow or limit the growth of the
population is ________.
A. emigration B. immigration C. mortality D. natality
____4. It is the ability of a population of a particular species to multiply under ideal
environmental conditions.
A. biotic potential C. carrying capacity
B. environmental factor D. environmental resistance
____5. Which of the following explains the kind of population growth pattern in
the graph?
A. Exponential growth
B. Extinction
C. Logistic growth
D. A predator-prey relationship

8
 Reflection
Directions: Just like how a traffic light remind us of our road safety, answer this
reflective learning sheet about the lesson of Biotic Potential and
Environmental Resistance. You may express your answers in a more
analytical and imaginative presentation using the suggested format below.
Have fun and enjoy!

References
Learning Modules : Earth and Life science 303-310

Earth and Life Science ( Capores, M. pp. 295 300, Environmental Science, Enger &
Smith, pp.91-100)

0nline Resources
https://slideplayer.com/slide/8701265/o
https://www.gettyimages.com/illustrations/population-explosion
https://www.google.com/search?q=black+and+white+pic+pool+of+mosquito&tbm=isc
h&ved=2ahUKEwjC_7DSl43rAhWXA6YKHXjkAV4Q2-
https://populationeducation.org/what-biotic-potential/
https://www.slideserve.com/finian/biology
https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-c-ecology-and-conser/c5-population-
ecology/population-growth.html