Department of Education

Region III
DIVISION OF PAMPANGA

Earth and Life Science

“We Heal as One”

Unifying Themes in the Study of Life

Prepared by: Rommer S. Lopez RN, LPT

Del Carmen National High School
Learning Competency: Describe how unifying themes (e.g., structure and function,
evolution, and ecosystems) in the study of life show the connections among living things and
how they interact with each other and with their environment.

Pre-test
Answer the questions below by encircling the letter of the best answer.

1. What is the process by which the sun's energy is trapped as the source of energy and is
converted into chemical energy?
A. adaptation
B. evolution
C. homeostasis
D. photosynthesis
2. Which of the following refers to the process by which changes occur in the characteristics of
species of organisms over time?
A. evolution
B. homeostasis
C. metabolism
D. regulation
3. Which refers to the maintenance of internal conditions of an organism within a certain range?
A. adaptation
B. evolution
C. homeostasis
D. metabolism
4. Which of the following sequences is likely to be observed in a human’s composition, going
from smallest part to largest?
A. cell, organ, tissue, organism, organ system
B. cell, organ, organ system, tissue, organism
C. cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
D. organism, organ system, organ, tissue, cell
5. Which of the following does NOT follow the principle of form and function?
A. The thick and heavy bones of birds allow them to stay longer in the air.
B. The fins of a fish help it to propel itself through the water.
C. The beaver’s spoon-shaped tail helps them in swimming and is also used as a defense
mechanism.
D. The biconcave shape of red blood cells provides greater surface area which allow both red
blood cells and oxygen to exchange through the capillaries which are smaller in diameter
than the red blood cells.
6. Which statement is false about living organisms?
A. Living things are made up of cells.
B. Living things adapt and evolve to survive.
C. Living things have different parts that depend on the structure and form for their
functions.
D. Living things are made of organic elements only.
7. Which of the following is NOT an example of homeostasis?
A. Energy is captured by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy.
B. If there is too much glucose in the blood, insulin converts some of it to glycogen.

C. Sweating cools the body down when temperature rises.

D. The capillaries underneath your skin get constricted to take the blood away from the
surface of the skin to warm the body up when in cold environment.
8. Which is true about the extinction of a species?
 A. It can be caused only by a natural phenomenon.
B. It is caused by humans only.
C. It is never affected by human activities.
D. It has a progressive impact on biodiversity.
9. Some members of a species have a genetic change that causes them to survive in their
environment. They have survived to reproduce and pass these genetic changes to their
offspring.
What best explains this situation?
A. All living organisms are made up of cells.
B. Different organisms must maintain different internal conditions.
C. Living things interact with their environment to survive.
D. Living things evolve through time.
10. In the past decades, the population of Philippine Eagles decreased by half of its original
size.
Which statement below does NOT contribute to this dwindle in the Philippine Eagles’
population?
A. decrease in the number of preys in the area
B. gradual change in climate and other environmental factors
C. poaching due to the increasing demand for exotic pets
D. rehabilitation and conservation projects
11. Which among the following best defines Ecology?
A. It refers to change in species over time.
B. It refers to a delicate internal balance within organisms.
C. It is inconsistent with evolution.
D. It is the study of communities or organisms in relation to their environment.
12. Which among the following is FALSE about living things?
A. Living things need energy for life processes.
B. Living things can reproduce.
C. Living things are composed of cells.
D. Living things will only survive if they breath oxygen.
13. Anything that causes an organism to respond is called a _________?
A. habitat
B. reaction
C. stimulus
D. species
14. A localized group of organisms that belong to the same species is called a _________?
A. Biosystem
B. Community
C. Ecosystem
D. Population
15. The main source of energy for producers in an ecosystem is_________?
A. ATP
B. Kinetic energy
C. Light energy
D. Thermal energy

GUIDE CARD
From the previous modules you learned about the different characteristics that define
what life is. You also learned to trace our ancestry and had studies about the various ideas on
how possibly life began on Earth. This time, you are bound to discover how these concepts you
learned interact and are interconnected into what science calls “The Unifying Themes in the
Study of Life”.

Currently, we are battling an invisible enemy, COVID-19. And as we face what seems to
be the greatest challenge to date, as a student, you will learn more on this module about this virus
that caused a pandemic. Learn facts and trivia about COVID-19 as you try to interconnect it to
the concepts of the Unifying Themes of Biology.

This module will guide you on your quest to unify the concepts behind the properties of
life and the origin of life into a set of scientific themes as you realize that truly, “We Heal As
One”.

ACTIVITY CARD #1: “The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its
Parts”
Discover the first unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph to
learn more information and find clues to the answer.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) attacks the lungs, leading to pneumonia, and
eventually, a cascade of serious complications. It is a respiratory virus, which
means it can enter and invade the airways and lungs.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
All living organisms, just like your body is a living system. A system is a combination of
parts that form a more complex organization. It has properties that are based on the arrangement
and interaction of its parts. An Ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction
with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.

This unifying theme explains how COVID-19 attacks the respiratory system of the
human body. Commonly, when the virus reaches the lungs, it causes inflammation, resulting in
fluid accumulation and difficulty of breathing. When fluid enters the alveoli or the air sacs in the
lungs where gas exchange occurs, it leads to low blood oxygen levels. This condition is termed
as pneumonia.

ACTIVITY CARD #2: Building Blocks of Life

Discover the second unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph
to learn more information and find clues to the answer.
 SARS-COV-2 is the name of the virus that causes COVID-19. This Novel corona
virus has a tiny molecular key that gives the virus entry into the cell. This key is
called a spike protein, or S-protein which attaches to a receptor on respiratory
cells called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, or ACE2.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
All living organisms are made of cells. Most multicellular organism such as humans have
cells that are specialized for different functions. These functions are vital for the survival of
living organisms. A mere alteration in the normal function of a particular specialized cell would
cause problems or even death.

One example of these are the specialized cells inside the human body called epithelial
cells that functions as lining to the conducting airways as well as alveolar epithelial cells. These
cells contain the pulmonary ACE2 which molecularly binds with the S-protein of SARS-COV-2
causing down regulation leading to acute pulmonary injury.

ACTIVITY CARD #3: Beauty and Brains

Discover the third unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph to
learn more information and find clues to the answer.

Coronaviruses are named for their appearance: Under the microscope, the
viruses look like they are covered with pointed structures that surround
them like a corona, or crown.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
How an organism makes use of its parts is directly related to its shape or form. For
example, when you eat, you probably bite into food with your sharp front teeth. Then you
probably chew it mostly with your grinding molars. All of your teeth help you eat, but different
types of teeth serve different purpose. Structure and function are related at the level of chemicals
in cells. For example, membrane channels and enzymes are both proteins, but they have very
different structures and functions.

Although not considered by science as a living organism by itself, SARS-COV-2’s

structural design, the crown shaped halo surrounding the virus serves a certain function. This
enables the virus to fuse with the cell membrane and release its genetic material into the cell
interior. However, possibly this spike protein that could not only be the virus’s best weapon, but
also its “Achilles’ heel” that may be the key in discovery of a cure or even the creation of a
vaccine against this debilitating virus.

ACTIVITY CARD #4: Power Up!

Discover the fourth unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph
to learn more information and find clues to the answer.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical
conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. These
underlying conditions such as Hypertension, Diabetes, heart problems and
respiratory diseases that manifest the presence of 2 or more simultaneous
health conditions are also known as comorbidities.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Living organisms needs a constant and continuous supply of energy in order to stay alive.
Plants undergo photosynthesis where they convert the energy from the sun into sugar for food.
Since most of the animals cannot produce their own energy, they get the energy from the
consumption and assimilation of the chemical energy stored within plants and other animals.
People with Type1 Diabetes often manifest severe symptoms of COVID-19. This is due
to ketoacidosis. When your cells don't get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins
to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that the body creates
when it breaks down fat to use for energy. The body does this when it doesn’t have
enough insulin to use glucose, the body’s normal source of energy. When ketones build up in
the blood, they make it more acidic.

ACTIVITY CARD #5: Change is Constant

Discover the fifth unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph to
learn more information and find clues to the answer.

The new coronavirus is an RNA virus: a collection of genetic material packed

inside a protein shell. Once an RNA virus makes contact with a host, it starts to
make new copies of itself that can go on to infect other cells. RNA viruses, like
the flu and measles, are more prone to changes and mutations compared with DNA viruses.
 The virus mutations, like what’s going around in Italy and also New York, don’t seem to
be any more infectious or fatal than the original strain that appeared in Wuhan, China, in late
December of 2019.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Organisms change over time to acclimate to their environment in order to survive. If they
fail to adapt to the changes, they usually become extinct. Evolution takes time, usually decades.
However, there are times when change happens very rapidly. One example is the blue moon
butterfly that managed to undergo a mutation which allows the males to survive an infection of a
parasite.

Even a non-living virus changes to adapt. Mutation is a term used to describe the
changes that happen within the RNA or DNA sequence. Indeed, change is the only constant
thing in life.

Though there’s the very rare chance a SARS COV-2 could mutate to be more aggressive,
RNA viruses are more likely to mutate into a weaker version. Nearly all mutations will make
some part of the virus work less well than before. The most common thing is for mutations to
appear and die out again quickly.

ACTIVITY CARD #6: Like Begets Like

Discover the fifth unifying theme by decoding the term below. Read the succeeding paragraph to
learn more information and find clues to the answer.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and
people, but most infect only their specific animal host.
The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, most often via
small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking. The droplets usually fall to the
ground or onto surfaces rather than travelling through air over long distances. Less commonly,
people may become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their face.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Reproduction ensures the survival of species. All living organisms reproduce either
through asexual or sexual reproduction. Just like humans, in sexual reproduction, the offspring
inherits the genes from two individual parents. However, in asexual reproduction, the offspring
inherits the genes from a single parent. Some examples of animals that undergo asexual
reproduction include earthworms, hydra, planaria, and bacteria.

As an RNA virus, SARS NCOV-2 is also capable of reproduction through transcription

which is defined as the process whereby sub genome-sized mRNAs are produced, and
coronavirus replication, whereby genome-sized RNA, which also functions as mRNA, is
produced.
ENRICHMENT CARD #1: Theming with Life
Complete the table below. Write down the correct unifying theme that applies to each given
example by selecting from the decoded words from the previous activities.

ENRICHMENT CARD#2: Model Association

Identify 5 examples that would describe the unifying themes in the study of life. Explain the
reason behind each identified example.

ASSESSMENT CARD
Choose the best answer on the following questions. Encircle the letter that corresponds to your
answer

1. Which among the following organisms can produce their own source of energy?
A. head lice C. mushrooms
B. millipedes D. phytoplankton
2. Which of the following best defines Evolution?
A. process by which changes occur in the DNA or RNA over time
B. process by which organisms maintain an internal balance
C. process by which organisms regulate their population
D. process by which organisms consume food for energy
3. The shrimp cleans the eel’s mouth and gets food and protection in return. This is an example
of_________________?
A. energy and life C. interdependence
B. evolution D. inheritance
4. Which of the following is an example of an Ecosystem?
A. animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi living altogether
B. animals, plants and insects that live together
C. animals and plants living in the forest
D. various species of birds that interbreed
5. Which of the following shows the principle of form and function?
A. A leaf miner is a larva that digs into the leaves of plants.
B. A male frog clings at the back of a female frog to fertilize its eggs.
C. A beaver’s spoon-shaped tail helps in swimming.
D. The thick and heavy bones of birds allow them to glide in the air.
6. Which among the following is NOT made up of cells?
A. Eukaryotes C. Prokaryotes
B. Parasites D. Viruses
7. Which of the following does NOT reproduce asexually?
A. bacteria C. sea urchins
B. earthworms D. sponges
8. Which among the examples is a product of evolution?
A. A falcon was trained by a hunter to hunt jack rabbits.
B. A wolf dog is a cross between a German shepherd and a Grey wolf.
C. California Reaper is the hottest variety of pepper to date.
D. The polar bear’s hollow hair helps the bear retain its body heat.
9. Some members of a species have a genetic change that causes them to survive in their
environment. They have survived to reproduce and pass these genetic changes to their
offspring.
What best explains this situation?
A. All living organisms are made up of cells.
B. Different organisms must maintain different internal conditions.
C. Living things interact with their environment to survive.
D. Living things are able to adapt through time
10. The Philippine freshwater crocodile is sometimes called the world’s most endangered species
of crocodilian. There are an estimated 250 left in the wild. Which statement is false about the
dwindle in the Philippine crocodiles’ population?
A. decrease in number of their cousin saltwater crocodile
B. extensive dynamite fishing
C. gradual change in climate and destruction of habitats
D. Illegal poaching and hunting
11. Which refers to the study of communities or organisms in relation to their environment?
A. biodiversity C. ecosystem
B. biosystem D. ecology
12. Which among the following is false about reproduction and inheritance?
A. Living things need energy to reproduce.
B. Living organisms only produce offspring of their own kind.
C. Reproduction increases the chances of evolution.
D. Without a mechanism for reproduction, life would come to an end.
13. Which group of organisms play a vital role of returning the energy back to the ecosystem?
A. consumers C. humans
B. decomposers D. producers
14. A localized group of organisms that belong to the same species is called a _________?
A. Biosystem C. Ecosystem
B. Community D. Population
15. The basic source of food in an ecosystem are the_________?
A. consumers C. producers
B. decomposers D. predators

REFLECTION ACTIVITY
Answer the following questions based on your own understanding. You may try to search
through the internet to get more ideas for your answers.

1. Which of the unifying themes do you consider the most important? Why did you say so?
 ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think is the impact of the unifying themes to you and to the living things
around you? Why?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

REFERENCE CARD
Earth and Life Science by Roly B. Bayo-ang, Maria Lourdes G. Coronacion, A T. Jorda and A. Restubog
ERC Publishing House pp. 187-191
Exploring Life Through Science--Earth and Life Science by Jose Tolentino Olivar, John Donnie A.
Ramos, Phd and Anna Cherylle Ramos pp. 103-111
https://www.whsd.net/userfiles/1473/Classes/7023/Chapter%201Workbook%20notes.pdf
https://www.biologyjunction.com/chapter+1+introduction_notes.htm
https://a3biology1.weebly.com/unifying-themes-of-biology.html
https://www.livescience.com/how-coronavirus-infects-cells.html
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus

ANSWER CARD

Prepared by: Rommer S. Lopez RN, LPT

Del Carmen National High School