Earth Systems

Imagine that you have a garden. Get one plant that could fit in a
pot but do not put soil when you transfer it. Put the plant inside
a box and leave it for one week. What do you think will happen
to the plant? How would you relate this scenario with the
different characteristics of the Earth?
Learning Outcome:
Describe the characteristics of Earth that
are necessary to support life.
Answer the following question.

1. What are the composition of planet earth?

2. What are the four elements vital for life?
3. Is earth’s orbit suitable?
4. What are the factors that make a planet habitable? Briefly
discuss each factor.
5. What is the consequence if there was not GHG effect?
6. What would be the consequence if the global magnetic
field of the Earth suddenly weakens?
7. What are the different factors that allow Earth to support
life?
Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled
organisms up to the most complex life forms including
humans. It is undeniable that the planet we live in is a rare
planet as it is the only planet in our solar system that
permits life.

The different characteristics of Earth are responsible for the

proliferation of life.
Factors that make a Planet Habitable

1. Abundance of liquid water on Earth, hence the blue

color. The Earth is a habitable planet. Water - in the
liquid form, turns out to be one of the most important
prerequisites for life as we know it.

2. Planets should have sufficient size to hold a significant

atmosphere. The composition of the atmosphere,
specifically the amount of greenhouse gases, influences the
planet surface temperature.
3. The amount of solar radiation that a planet receives is
primarily a function of distance from the sun. Sunlight is
essential for photosynthesis but some organisms are able to
extract energy from other sources (chemosynthetic
organisms).

4. A system that will be able to constantly supply nutrients

to organisms is important to sustain life. On Earth, nutrients
are cycled through the hydrologic cycle and plate tectonics
(volcanism)
Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the
atmosphere, clouds, and the earth's surface.

Another 25% is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds, and

the remaining 45% is absorbed by the earth’s surface. Ozone
or (O3) is composed of three oxygen atoms. In the
stratosphere, (O3) is abundant in the form of the ozone layer.
This layer absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths, and the
absorption of this radiation heats up the air.
Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the
atmosphere, clouds, and the earth's surface.

Another 25% is absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds, and

the remaining 45% is absorbed by the earth’s surface. Ozone
or (O3) is composed of three oxygen atoms. In the
stratosphere, (O3) is abundant in the form of the ozone layer.
This layer absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths, and the
absorption of this radiation heats up the air.
THE EARTH THAT SUPPORT LIFE

Earth is one of the planets in the solar system. Living things,

from the simplest microorganism to most complex human
beings, thrive on Earth.
 
Earth possesses characteristics that make it capable of
supporting life. Earth has water and atmosphere, which both
are essential to life.
 
 
 
Plate tectonic also plays a role in recycling the
molecules of different substances and distributing them
to all parts of the planet. Earth also its source of
energy. Without energy, life cannot exist.
 Water is essential to life

• Water is also, perhaps, the most important ingredient

for most cellular processes, such as the metabolism
of sugar and protein synthesis.

• Water is an effective solvent. It is oftentimes referred

to as the universal solvent because it is capable of
dissolving many substances, and these substances
are then easily absorbed by living organism.
 Earth’s atmosphere is also an important factor in making
Earth ideal planet to host life.

• It contains gases that are essential for sustaining life.

• One of these gases is oxygen, which is constantly

replenished into the atmosphere by plants.

• Earth’s atmosphere also contains a small amount of

carbon dioxide, which helps to moderate the planet’s
• Nitrogen, another gas in the atmosphere, is an important
part of DNA that carries genetic instructions, and likewise,
it is also found in amino acids, the building blocks of
protein.

Energy is needed for life.

• Without energy, the processes of life would not happen.

The source of Earth’s energy is the Sun.
• Because of the Earth’s ideal distance from the Sun, it
receives the right amount of heat and light to support life.
• Sunlight helps plants produce nutrients through
photosynthesis. These nutrients provide energy to
living things.

• Some organisms rely on other sources of energy such

as chemicals from deep water vents, making it
possible for life to exist even at the bottom of the
ocean.
Earth’s composition.

• Element oxygen alone found in earth’s crust.

However, other life elements are found in
atmosphere and water. Make amino acids building
blocks of protein. Other elements (carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.
Earth’s composition.

• Element oxygen alone found in earth’s crust.

However, other life elements are found in
atmosphere and water. Make amino acids building
blocks of protein. Other elements (carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.
 Research about the characteristics of other planets in
the Solar System which make them unfit for growth and
life.
Does earth have a magnetic field to protect and
support life?
Answer the following questions. 5pts each.

• Explain the impact of planet size to gravity, internal

heat, and atmosphere of the planet.
• Identify factors that influence a planet's temperature.
Explain factors that make a planet habitable.
• Explain why the presence of liquid water is important
to life.
Through the different theories of the universe and the
solar system explained by different scientist can you
now explain how did life begin?

Explain factors that make a planet habitable.

Explain why the presence of liquid water is important

to life.