Earth and Life Science

Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Origin and Structure
of the Earth
(The Subsystem)
Earth and Life Science
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Origin and Structure of the Earth – The Subsystem
First Edition, 2020

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Jocelyn M. Manset
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Earth and Life Science
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Origin and Structure
of the Earth
(Subsystem)
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Earth and Life Science Grade 11 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)
Module on Origin and structure of the Earth - Subsystem!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator, in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills 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. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Earth and Life Science Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on
The Origin and Structure of the Earth – The Subsystems!

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands, we may learn, create, and
accomplish many things. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that
you, as a learner, are capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

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 resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to
process what you learned from the lesson.

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 What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will
help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is composed of:

• Lesson 1 – The Subsystems of the Earth

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. determine the four subsystems of the Earth;
2. describe the characteristics of each subsystem;
3. trace the flow of matter and energy in the Earth’s subsystems; and
4. express one’s internalized role as steward of the four subsystems concerning
the flow of matter and energy.

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 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the four subsystems of the Earth?
A. biosphere C. water sphere
B. hydrosphere D. geosphere
2. All of the waters, including subsurface and atmospheric water comprise the
Earth. Which geological subsystem best label the statement?
A. the geosphere C. the biosphere
B. the hydrosphere D. the atmosphere
3. Earth contains all living organisms including those on the land, in the water
and air. Which subsystem best describes the statement?
A. biosphere C. atmosphere
B. hydrosphere D. geosphere
4. Which subsystem suits the statement, “Global ecological system interacting
with each other”?
A. biosphere C. hydrosphere
B. geosphere D. atmosphere
5. What subsystem will network with biosphere for photosynthesis to take
place?
A. atmosphere C. hydrosphere
B. geosphere D. biosphere
6. Oxygen, water vapor, nitrogen, and other gases help organism to survive.
Which Earth sphere contain these materials?
A. biosphere C. hydrosphere
B. atmosphere D. geosphere
7. Which term is used to describe the thin layer of solid rock that makes up the
outermost part of the Earth?
A. core C. mantle
B. crust D. biosphere
8. Among the subsystems, which is composed of a mixture of gases that
surrounds the Earth?
A. nitrogen C. biosphere
B. atmosphere D. kingdoms
9. The atmosphere of the Earth is composed of ___ nitrogen and _____ oxygen
and other gases.
A. 0% and 100% C. 78% and 21%
B. 21% and 78% D. 505 and 505
10. In what subsystem of the Earth are the rocks and mineral found?
A. atmosphere C. hydrosphere
B. biosphere D. geosphere

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11. What part of the Earth’s sphere make up hydrosphere?
A. glaciers C. seawater and inland water
B. groundwater D. all of the above
12. Which gas dominates the Earth’s atmosphere?
A. CO2 C. N2
B. He D. O2
13. Ozone plays an important part for organisms to stay alive. To what sphere
does ozone belong?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere
14. Which answer best describes the role of the ozone layer?
A. It traps heat from the sun to heat the planet.
B. It protects the plants and animals on earth from receiving too much
ultraviolet radiation.
C. It cools the earth through the evaporation of water vapor
D. It keeps the oxygen in the atmosphere closest to Earth and the
nitrogen separated in the atmosphere.
15. Human actions greatly affect the Earth itself. Which of the following is an
example of a human impact of the biosphere?
A. littering C. water pollution
B. air pollution D. littering, air and water pollution

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Lesson
Origin and Structure of the
1 Earth – The Subsystem
Earth is sometimes called the “water planet” or the “blue planet” because seas
cover more than two-thirds of its surface. Earth is the only planet or moon in the
solar system with rain that falls from clouds, runs over the land, and collects in
extensive oceans. It is also the only body we know that supports life. This self-
learning module will help you understand the subsystem of the planet where you
stand right now.

What’s In

Read the statement below and answer the question that follows.

Imagine walking along a rocky coast as a storm blows in from the sea. The wind
whips the ocean into whitecaps, and waves crash onto the shore. Before you have
time to escape, blowing spray has soaked your clothes. A hard rain begins as you
scrambled over the rocks to your car. During the adventure, you have observed the
spheres of the Earth.

List down the terms that are used in the statement that reflects to what made up
the Earth. Categorize them based on the following:

Air Water Land With Life

Notes to the Teacher

This module focuses on the subsystems of the Earth, its
characteristics, and relationship with each other. It has exercises
that will help the student understand the topic. You may guide
the student by explaining if questions arise.

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 What’s New

Subsystems of the Earth

Analyze and label the given picture. From the picture, create a general concept on
each picture and identify the physical characteristics of the subsystem of the
Earth. Differentiate one with the other.

(A) (B) (C) (D)

What is It

Subsystems of the Earth

The four subsystems of the Earth are:

1. Atmosphere – the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface primarily
composed of different gases such as nitrogen and oxygen.
2. Biosphere – the zone of the Earth where all forms of life exist. This serves as
the ecosystem of all living and non- living organisms.
3. Geosphere – the solid part of the Earth that consists the entire planet from
the center of the core to the outer crust. It includes core, mantle, and crust
of the Earth.
4. Hydrosphere – the water part of the Earth that includes oceans and glaciers.

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 What’s More

Activity 1.1 We are Connected!

According to John Muir, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it
attached to the rest of the world.” How is the given diagram related to the said
quote? How does the four subsystem of the Earth connect with each other?

Geosphere

What I Have Learned

Subsystems of the Earth

The four subsystems of the Earth are:

1. Atmosphere – it is the gaseous layer above the Earth’s surface, primarily
composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Other gases like argon, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and other inert gases made the remaining 1%.
The atmosphere supports life because animals and oxygen, and plants need
both carbon dioxide and oxygen. In addition, the atmosphere supports life
indirectly by regulating climate. Air acts as both a blanket and a filter, retaining
heat at night and shielding from direct solar radiation during the day.

2. Biosphere – the zone of Earth where all forms of life exist: in the sea, on land,
and in water. It is sometimes called as the large ecosystem. This is the zone that
life inhabits. Biosphere is a very thin layer of the earth’s surface.
3. Geosphere – the solid Earth, consisting of the entire planet from the center of
the core to the outer crust. It includes the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth.
4. Hydrosphere – the water part of the Earth which circulates among oceans,
continents, glaciers, and atmosphere. Oceans cover 71% of the Earth and
contain 97.5% of its water.

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Earth is a complex system made up of many smaller systems through which matter
and energy are continuously cycled. Energy and matter flow through Earth’s
spheres: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Energy flows
through the atmosphere mostly by convection. How does matter and energy flow
across the four subsystems of the Earth? The Earth consists of four subsystems,
across whose boundaries matter and energy flows, the atmosphere (air), biosphere
(living things), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (land). The atmosphere provides
the geosphere with heat and energy needed for rock breakdown and erosion. The
biosphere receives gases, heat, and sunlight (energy) from the atmosphere. It
receives water from the hydrosphere and a living medium from the geosphere.

What I Can Do

The human population has increased rapidly since the 1700’s. For most of human
history, there were fewer than half-billion people on Earth. In mid- 2009, 6.7 billion
people inhabited our planet. Because of these, extensive pollution is everywhere. As
a student, what can you do to save not only a particular system, but the Earth
itself? Write your answer in the table.

MY ENVIRONMENTAL “TO DO” LIST

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Earth includes beach grasses, forms of life in the sea, on land, and even in
the air. Which term best describes the statement?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

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 2. Which system of the Earth is considered as the largest component of the
Earth?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

3. Life is supported by oxygen and carbon dioxide. Which subsystem will best
describe the statement?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

4. Relationship between the complex communities of individual organism is

seen in the different systems of the Earth. What do you call the unit in
nature?
A. ecosystem C. ground
B. complexity D. system

5. All of earth’s cycles and spheres are interconnected. Why is this so?
A. because they are interconnected
B. because Earth is where we live in
C. because Earth is the only living planet
D. because every organism has its own function in the Earth
6. What is an example of a connection between atmosphere and geosphere?
A. water C. mountains
B. nitrogen D. volcanic eruption release gas

7. Which among the choices is an example of a connection between atmosphere

and hydrosphere?
A. lakes C. rivers
B. rain D. rocks

8. From the given choices, which is an example of a connection between

biosphere connecting to atmosphere?
A. Animals eat plants. C. Animals lie in caves.
B. Animals drink water. D. Plants produce oxygen.

9. Among the choices, which clearly gives an example of connection between

hydrosphere and geosphere?

A. boats transporting goods C. water evaporating to make clouds

B. fish swimming in water D. waves eroding rocks on beach

10. All living things, including land and sea made up the Earth. Which term best
described the statement?
A. geosphere C. atmosphere
B. ozone layer D. biosphere

11. When nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead plants decompose is an
interaction that occurs in what system?
A. biosphere and atmosphere C. biosphere and geosphere
B. geosphere and atmosphere D. atmosphere and geosphere

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 12. Carbon dioxide dissolving from the air into the ocean is an interaction that
occurs in which system?
A. atmosphere and hydrosphere C. atmosphere and geosphere
B. atmosphere and atmosphere D. atmosphere and biosphere

13. The atmosphere of the Earth is composed of ___ oxygen and _____ nitrogen
and other gases.
A. 0% and 100% C. 78% and 21%
B. 21% and 78% D. 50% and 50%

14. A thin layer of solid rock that makes up the outermost part of the Earth is
visible to which part of geosphere?
A. core C. mantle
B. crust D. biosphere

15. Ozone plays an important function in every single organism on Earth. To

what sphere does ozone layer belong?
A. atmosphere C. geosphere
B. biosphere D. hydrosphere

Additional Activities

“Connect Me Spheres”
Procedure: Analyze the interactions of the spheres after the onslaught of Taal
Volcano.

Geo

1. What sphere caused the event?

2. What are the effects of the event on one or more spheres?
3. What is the global implication of the event?

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 10
What I Know What's More Assessment
1. C 1. The Earth 1. B
2. B consists of four 2. C
3. D subsystems, 3. A
4. A across whose 4. A
5. A boundaries 5. D
6. B matter and 6. D
7. B energy flows, the 7. B
8. B atmosphere (air), 8. D
9. C biosphere (living 9. D
10.D things), 10.D
11.D hydrosphere 11.C
12.C (water), and 12.A
13.A geosphere (land). 13.B
14.C The atmosphere 14.B
15.A provides the 15.A
geosphere with
heat and energy
needed for rock
breakdown and
erosion. The
biosphere
receives gases,
heat, and
sunlight (energy)
from the
atmosphere. It
receives water
from the
hydrosphere and
a living medium
from the
geosphere.
Answer Key
References

Earth’s Four Subsystems, Seattle Pi, accessed May 29, 2020,

https://education.seattlepi.com/earth-four-subsystems-work-together-
4634.html

Earth System, Science Learning Hub, accessed May 30, 2020,

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/720-earth-system

Major Geological Subsystem of Earth, Study.Com, accessed May 30, 2020,

https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-4-major-geological-subsystem-of-
earth.html?

Thompson, Graham R. et al. 2012. Introduction to Earth Science. Pasig City:

Cengage Learning Asia.

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