General

Biology 1 12
Earth Science – Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Characteristics of Life
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Joseph M. Ocate

Editors: Ephraim M. Villacrusis, Joseph M. Ocate
Reviewers: Ephraim M. Villacrusis, Joseph M. Ocate
Illustrator:
Layout Artist: Mark Kihm G. Lara
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
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Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Schools Division of

Pasig City
 General
Biology 1 12
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 1

Characteristics of Life
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the General Biology 1 Self-Learning Module 1 on Characteristics

of Life

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
 For the Learner:

Welcome to the General Biology 1 Self-Learning Module 1 on Characteristics

of Life

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 material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest – This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

The module is about the characteristics of life.

After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identify and describe the characteristics of an organism;
2. apply knowledge on classifying whether living and nonliving; and
3. appreciate the importance of microorganisms.

PRETEST

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living things?

a. growth and development c. ability to move
b. response to environment d. ability to reproduce
2. Which of the following are characteristics of living things?
a. homeostasis, food, living space
b. food, water, stable internal conditions
c. grow and develop, water, stable internal conditions, DNA
d. reproduce, respond to stimuli, DNA, cells, metabolism, grow and develop
3. Which of the following characteristics of living things best explains why
humans sweat when they get hot?
a. use of energy c. growth and development
b. ability to reproduce d maintain a stable internal
environment
4. When the level of sugar in the blood is too high, the excess sugar is stored in
the muscle to be used later as needed. Which characteristic of life is
described?
a. use of energy c. respond to environment
b. ability to evolve d. maintains an internal balance
5. The following are useful effects of bacteria EXCEPT ___.
a. bacteria can manufacture food.
b. bacteria are sources of antibiotics.
c. bacteria can decompose dead bodies.
d. bacteria cause tumors in plants and animal.
 RECAP

Figure 1. Ilog Pasig (Photo credit to John Carlo Solisa)

Pasig is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. It was created by the
Augustinians in 1572. According to Dr. Jose Villa Panganiban, "Pasig" is an old
Sanskrit word referring to a "river flowing from one body of water to another."
The Pasig River flows from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. The 25-km long river is
also rich in history as it was part of Dr. Jose Rizal's books - Noli me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. Written in Chapter 7 of his first book were words depicting its lead
couple on a balcony overlooking the Pasig River, the same spot where Crisostomo
Ibarra offered his heart to Maria Clara. Then on his second book, he wrote about the
Bapor Tabo that is filled with life and energy while sailing on Pasig River with women
washing clothes, fishermen casting nets, and ducks wading through waters.
Pasigueños have embraced the worth of the river as it is part of their activities
of daily living. It has become a source of goods, where trades are being done, apart
from its ability to provide sustenance. The Pasig River is full of life back then where
many organisms strive - ducks and crocodiles seen along river banks. Nila
(Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea) is also found abundant along the river, thus giving
birth to the name of nearby town, Manila. Since the term organism has been
recurring already, when can it be said that an organism exists or when something
has life?
Some of the organisms present during the early times along the Pasig
riverbanks.

Figure 2. Domesticated ducks Figure 3. Nila

Activity 1.1. What common characteristics do both organisms (duck and nila) have?

_________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
Biologists have identified various characteristics common to all the organisms
that we know about. While nonliving things may show some of these characteristics,
only living things show them all.
1. Growth and Development
All organisms have the ability to grow and develop. These organisms utilize
nourishment from their environment together with instructions coded by their genes.
Examples of growth and development in multicellular organisms include cell growth
and cell division.

Figure 4. Blooming flowers at Sirao Garden Cebu City. (Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
Plants germinate, sprout, root, leaf out and bloom mainly through the
cellular level process of mitosis. Most of the action takes place in meristematic
tissue that includes undifferentiated cells that are capable of specialization. The
cell cycle begins with an interphase in which the cell secure nutrients, metabolizes,
enlarges, synthesizes proteins and replicates organelles. When conditions for cell
division are optimal, the cell chromosomes condense and line up in the middle of
the cell before being pulled apart by spindle fibers. In each cell a nucleus reforms
to contain the chromosomes, and a cell plate divides the two cells by cytokinesis.
Plant growth is the process through which the plant increases in size. A
mature plant has healthy leaves and strong stem. The light energy is used during
photosynthesis while the growth process is enhanced by the uptake of nutrients.
Have you ever wonder, how the tallest tree grows from a tiny seed?

2. Maintain Homeostasis
In order for higher forms of organisms to function properly, they must
maintain appropriate concentrations of different chemicals, pH level, optimum
temperature, etc., because these conditions may change from time to time depending
on changes in their environment. Organisms must maintain a steady state of internal
condition despite these varying conditions.
 The temperature regulation requirements
determine dietary caloric requirements and thus the
use of niches and resources. Like other mammals,
primates regulate body temperature through
physiological, morphological and behavioral changes.
Large mammals have smaller surface areas relative to
their mass, greater energy reserves as fat, and can
have longer coats of hair or fur for insulation. While for
smaller mammals have larger surface areas relative to
their mass, can accommodate only minor energy
reserves as stored fat, and cannot grow long coats for
insulation. Small mammals like the Philippine tarsier,
require high levels of activity and food consumption in
order to preserve thermal homeostasis; when these
conditions cannot be met, they must compensate Figure 8. Tarsier of Bohol
(Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
through hibernation and torpor.
Piloerction is a common method of modification of the heat exchange for most
mammals. Bodies of smooth muscle that extend from the fibrils of the dermis into
connective tissue investment of the hair follicle cause the contraction of the musculi
arrectores pilorumor MAP. The sympathetic nervous system supplies an innervation
to the MAP and muscle contraction is involuntary. MAP contraction elevates the hair
and increases the coat loft, thus increasing its insultative value. In some species like
dogs, cats and chimpanzees, hair raising acts as a secondary social alert feature of
impending aggression.

3. Reproduction
Organisms have the ability to reproduce or
generate more organisms of their own kind.
Reproduction is the process of succeeding
generations thru sexual or asexual processes,
which involves passing down of genes from
parents to their offspring.
Sea stars are able to reproduce both
sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction,
fertilization occurs in water, with sperm and eggs Figure 5. Seastars at Cagbalete Islands,
released into the water by males and females. The Quezon (Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
fertilized embryos, which in most species are free-
swimming animals, become a part of the zooplankton. The larvae eventually undergo
metamorphosis, it will then settle at the bottom and grow into adults. Asexual
reproduction is by fission. A part of an arm and central disc becomes detached from
the “parent” and develops into an independent individual sea star.
4. Response to Environment or Stimuli
Organisms have the ability to respond to different environments and diverse
stimuli. Adaptation is a process of an organism adjusting to better match its
environment. Reaction towards stimulus is considered a positive response while
reaction away from stimulus is a negative response.
Along the coastlines, the mangrove forests are
distributed and inundated periodically with seawater.
Mangrove are capable of growing under extreme
environmental conditions such as high and changing
salinity and frequent tidal inundation. The salinity
makes an important factor particularly in the habitat of
mangroves limiting the germination of propagules,
seedling growth and its reproduction. Seed germination
at high salinities is reported to be extensively reduced,
Figure 6. Mangrove in the middle
retarded or completely inhibited. The inhibition of seed of the sandbar in Alibijaban
germination either by impeding water absorption or by Island, Quezon
facilitating toxic ion intake because of high salinities. (Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
Salinity affects both the initiation of the leaves and the expansion of the leaf area,
and high salinities generally result in dwarfed plants with small and thick leaves.
Therefore, understanding species-specific responses to salinity is an important
concern in mangrove planting projects.

5. Energy Processing
All organisms require energy for their cellular metabolic activities to occur.
Some organisms, like photoautotrophs are able to harvest energy from the sun while
converting it into chemical energy, to be utilized in making their own food. Other
organisms take in substances as food which is broken down to its chemical form that
is required by an organism.
Photosynthetic processes are of two types:
Oxygenic photosynthesis is the most common and is
seen in algae, cynobacteria and plants. Light energy
transfers electrons from water (H2O) to carbon dioxide
(CO2) in order to produce carbohydrates. The CO 2 is
“reduced” or receives electrons in this transfer and the
water becomes “oxidized” or loses electrons. Anoxygenic
photosynthesis, on the other hand, makes use of
electron donors other than water. The anoxygenic Figure 7. The Man-made Forest
photosynthesis contains no by-product of oxygen. at Bilar, Bohol
(Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
6. Organized
Organisms form highly organized and coordinated structures in order to
function properly. In multicellular organisms, similar cells forms tissues, tissues of
the same function form an organ, a group of organs with distinct functions form
organ systems and an organ system which compliments each other to support life
forms an individual.
 Figure 9. Parcel of deer at Hermana Menor Island, Zambales
(Photo credit to Joseph Ocate)
The smallest functional unit of all living things are the cells. Plants and
animals both contain different cell types. In both plant and animal cells carry genetic
material in the form of DNA. Without DNA, livings things would not be able to pass
on their individual characteristics or the characteristics of their species to the next
generation.
Tissues are made up of cells which share a similar structure and function.
Four major types of tissues are present in animal bodies. Epithelial tissues line the
cavities and surfaces of the body such as the inside of the stomach and the outermost
skin layer. Tissues that supports, protects and binds certain parts of the body such
as muscles, together are called connective tissues. Muscles of the body produce
movement by contraction and expansion of muscular tissues. Nervous tissue can
receive stimuli and conduct electrical impulses. Plants also have tissues. Plants
have outer coverings which are formed by dermal tissue. Water and nutrients move
through the plant by the vascular tissue. Most of plants’ bodies and performs the
majority of bodily functions, such as photosynthesis are made up of ground tissue.
Organs are structures consisting of specific tissue types that perform
specialized tasks in the body. Plants also have organs. Vegetative organs like roots
and leaves help sustain plant life. To facilitate either sexual or asexual
reproduction, reproductive organs such as cones, flowers and fruits are temporary
structures that help the plants.
Organ systems are groups of two or more organs that work together to
perform specific bodily function. The human body has 11 systems- some may have
overlapping functions. Plants only have two organ systems. Parts above the
ground, such as leaves, and stems are included in the shoot system while parts
below the ground, such as roots and tubers are included in the root system.
Organisms are whole, complete living things.

It is now time to find out how organisms maintain life for their survival and able
to carry out the life processes.

LIFE PROCESSES
An organism can transfer from one place to another (movement) with the use
of specialized structures like flagella, cilia and pseudopodia. It can also exhibit a
metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose and produces adenosine triphosphate
(respiration). Can act on sensing a stimulus that can be either a change in internal
or external environment and at the same time responding to it (sensitivity). Each
organism can also increase the size of each individual cell or increase of the number
of cells (growth). There is also formation of news cells by the process of cell division
to replace or repair old cells in which genes are passed from parents to offspring
(reproduction). Another process it can perform is to get rid of by-products due to
metabolic processes which maybe toxic that can damage the organism (excretion).
And last, is that it can break down food, into simple molecules that can be absorbed
and be utilized (nutrition).

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1.2. Read and answer the question that follows

Amoebiasis is a common infection of the human gastro-intestinal tract caused
by an amoeba, a species that has no definite shape and that moves by means of
pseudopodia. Pseudopodia are temporary projections and the word literally means
"false feet". The pseudopodia are used for locomotion. The cytoplasm of an amoeba
contains the organelles and is enclosed by a membrane. An amoeba uses a process
called phagocytosis to obtain food. This is a process in which projections of the cell
membrane of the amoeba extend and surround the food particle, totally enclosing it.
The food particle is thus internalized in a sort of "bubble" called a vacuole. The food
particle can then be digested in the vacuole. The amoeba reproduces via mitosis.

Classify amoeba if it is an organism or not and give supporting details based on the
passage given.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Activity 1.3. Fill in the blanks using the words inside the box.
Nutrition Life processes autotrophs
Molecular Stationary Growth
The basic functions performed by organisms to maintain their life on this
earth are called __1__. Animals can move from one place to another but plants are
__2__. Movements which are not directly seen with the naked eyes are __3__
movement. __4__ means increase in size, mass and number of cells. The process by
which organisms can synthesize or procure their food is known as __5__. In green
plants are __6__ in their mode of nutrition.
Activity 1.4. Using the Venn Diagram, compare and contrast the life processes (MRS
GREN) of plants and animals.
 WRAP-UP

Activity 1.5. Make a Concept Map that explains the different Characteristics of Life
using the key terms inside the box below:

Cell growth Fertilization Photosynthesis Temperature regulation

Crepuscular animals Nocturnal animals Diurnal animals Cells
Purple bacteria Anoxygenic Tissue Mitosis Organ system
Multicellular organis Organ Sexual Plants Negative response
Highly variable temp. Constant temp. Adaptation Coldest time is at dawn
Asexual Cyanobacteria Reaction towards stimuli Green sulfur bacteria
Seastars Evolution Fragmentation Positive response Cell division
Oxygenic Dogs Reaction away from stimuli

ORGANIZED REPRODUCTION

Characteristic RESPONSE
HOMEOSTASIS
s of Life TO STIMULI

GROWTH ENERGY
& DEV’T PROCESSING

VALUING
Not what is seems to be
In a number of ways, bacteria are used in the industry which typically exploit
their natural metabolic capabilities. They are in food production and in the
manufacture of antibiotics, probiotics, drugs, vaccines, starter cultures, insecticides,
enzymes, fuel and solvents. Lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus
and Streptococcus are used in the food industry in the manufacture of dairy products
such as cheese, cultivated butter, sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt and kefir. Bacterial
fermentations are used in our everyday lives for the production of teas, chocolate,
cocoa, soy sauce, sausages and an enormous range of food. Most of the antibiotics
are made from soil-living bacteria. Actinomycetes such as Streptomyces produce
tetracyclines, erythromycin, streptomycin rifamycin and ivermectin. Bacterial
products are used in the manufacture of vaccines for immunization against
infectious disease. The biotechnology industry uses bacterial cells to produce
biological substances including foods, drugs, hormones enzymes, proteins and
nucleic acids that are useful for human life. Louise Pasteur said it best, “never
underestimate the power of the microbe.”
Bacteria have their wide range of application in different fields. Because of
advancement in technologies, harnessing potential use was possible. But usefulness
of bacteria was not actually taught and explained since it was more of the harmful
effects of these microbes that is always exposed. Headlines are everywhere about
diseases was caused by different genus and families of bacteria as it is the culprit in
degrading health.
As shown by bacteria, they have two sides, the good and bad side. Let us not
rush to judgement and be haste in condemning organisms whatever their size is as
they are considered a threat. In the end, we must be able to learn to weigh on the
pros and cons to give us a better view of things.

Activity 1.6. Essay.

What other benefits we get from bacteria? Have you experienced judging a situation
that is not what is seems to be? Share your experience and how did you resolve the
conflict?
__________________________________________________________________________________

POSTTEST
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. It is any part of an organism’s environment that causes reaction.
a. adaptation c. species
b. organization d. stimulus
2. Tissues that support, protect and bind certain parts of the body such as
muscles.
a. muscular tissue c. epithelial tissue
b. connective tissue d. nervous tissue
3. Which of these is not an example of the body maintaining homeostasis?
a. lungs absorbing oxygen
b. red blood cells delivering oxygen
c. insulin production in the pancreas
d. emergence of an evolutionary adaptation
4. Which of the following constitutes the basic structural organization of life?
a. weather condition in a habitat
b. species living in an environment
c. cells that make up tissues and structures
d. cell organelles that combine to form nuclei
5. Are microorganisms helpful or harmful?
a. helpful c. harmful
b. both d. neither
 KEY TO CORRECTION

PRETEST ACTIVITY 1.2.

1. C
Amoeba is an organism because it can reproduce via mitosis. It gets
2. C
3. C nutrients by the process of phagocytosis. At the same time, it can move
4. D with the use of pseudopodia.
5. A ACTIVITY 1.3.
POSTEST
1. D 1. Life processes
2. B 2. Stationary
3. D 3. Molecular
4. B 4. Growth
5. B 5. Nutrition
6. autotrophs

Multicellular Organ Dog Seastars

Organism
Organ Fertilizati Fragmentat
Tissue
Coldest Sexual Asexual
Highly time is at Cells
variable
Crepuscula
Diurnal r animals ORGANIZED Reaction
animals towards
Nocturnal Adaptati Positive
Temperature
regulation Constant
RESPONSE TO
HOMEOSTA STIMULI
Characteris
Evolution Negative
PH Level tics of Life
Reaction
away from
GROWTH ENERGY
& DEV’T PROCESSING

Cell Photosynthes
Purple
Cell
Oxygenic Anoxyge
Mitosis

Plants Cyanobact Green sulfur

 References

Chaplin, G., Nina G. Jablonski, Robert W. Sussman, and Elizabeth A. Kelley. 2013. "The Role of
Piloerection in Primate Thermoregulation." Karger 17.

Chen, Yaping, and Yong Ye. 2014. "Effects of Salinity and Nutrient Addition on Mangrove Excoecaria
agallocha." PLOS One 15.

Cook, Maria. 2019. Sciencing. May 29. Accessed May 22, 2020. https://sciencing.com/levels-cell-
organization-6515549.html.

Dr. Dowd, Mary. 2019. Sciencing. April 15. Accessed May 20, 2020.
https://sciencing.com/reproduction-plant-cells-7989582.html.

Reece, Jane B., Urry, Lisa A., Michael L. Cain, Steven A., Minorsky, Peter V. Wasserman, and Jackson
Robert B. 2011. Biology, Ninth Edition. San Francisco: Pearson.

Roces, Alejandro R. 2009. "Pasig's Place in history." Philippine Star, July 2: 2.