Melc 1

Earth: The Living Planet
Objective
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to recognize the uniqueness of
Earth, being the only planet in the solar system with properties necessary 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 charac-
teristics of Earth are responsible for the proliferation of life.
Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of 78.1%

nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350
ppm carbon dioxide, and other com-
ponents.
The presence of oxygen and car-
bon dioxide permits life on Earth. Car-
bon dioxide is used by photosynthetic
organisms, such as plants and algae, to
convert the energy from the sun to usa-
ble energy through the process of pho-
tosynthesis. The oxygen makes it livable
for living organisms including humans
for respiration and for our cells to func-
tion.
Earth’s atmosphere also protects
us from the sun’s radiation. Thirty per-
cent 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.
Soil and Vegetation

Soil and vegetation are unique characteristics of Earth, playing integral roles in
sustaining life and maintaining ecological balance. Soil forms through the weathering
of rocks and the decomposition of organic matter, resulting in a rich mixture of miner-
als, organic content, water, and air. This composition supports nutrient cycling, water
regulation, and provides a habitat for diverse organisms. Vegetation, through photo-
synthesis, produces oxygen and glucose, essential for most life forms, and sequesters
carbon, mitigating climate change. It supports biodiversity by offering food and shel-
ter, influences climate patterns through shading and transpiration, and protects soil
from erosion.
The interdependence between soil and
vegetation fosters stable ecosystems,
providing crucial services like clean air, wa-
ter, and fertile land for agriculture. Earth's
unique atmospheric conditions, moderate
climate, and geological activity create an en-
vironment conducive to the formation and
sustenance of soil and vegetation, making
our planet uniquely capable of supporting
diverse ecosystems. This dynamic system
underscores the exceptional nature of Earth
in our solar system.
Earth’s Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor.
Nearly three-quarters of the earth’s surface is the sea and the ocean. The ocean hous-
es many species of marine life and diverse mineral resources. Other forms of water in-
clude river, streams, and lakes. Other than being a water reservoir, these forms of wa-
ter are all sources of fish and shellfish that we consume. They also serve as thermostat
and heat reservoir, especially the ocean. They also serve as ways for transportation.
Explore!
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 dif-
ferent characteristics of the Earth?
Try it!
Research about the characteristics of other planets in the Solar System which
make them unfit for growth and life.
What do you think?

Are the characteristics of the earth interrelated with one another? If yes, how do
they affect each other?
Key Points
• The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350 ppm car-
bon dioxide, and other components.
• The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide makes Earth habitable.
• Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
• The soil is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
• The hydrosphere serves as a water reservoir, a source of fish and shellfish that we
consume, a thermostat and heat reservoir, and a way for transportation.
Test Questions
1. Which of the following planets permits growth and life?
A. Mars C. Saturn
B. Jupiter D. Earth
2. Which of the following gases is the most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?

A. nitrogen C. carbon dioxide
B. oxygen D. hydrogen
3. _____________ is a living medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.

A. atmosphere C. soil
B. hydrosphere D. oceans
4. Which of the following is true about the role of soil in growth and life on Earth?
A. The soil provides nutrients, water, and substrate for vegetation.
B. There is no relationship between the soil and vegetation.
C. The soil allows growth of different types of plants but not microorganisms.
D. They do not affect growth and life on Earth.
5. Which of the following is not true about the hydrosphere?

A. The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor.
B. It serves as thermostat and heat reservoir, especially the ocean.
C. It is also a way for transportation.
D. Half of the Earth's surface is composed of the oceans and the seas.
6. Which of the following is not true about the earth's atmosphere?
A. The earth’s atmosphere protects us from the sun’s radiation.
B. It contains the ozone layer that absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths.
C. Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the atmosphere, clouds,
and surface.
D. The atmosphere only consists of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and argon.
7. Which of the following is not true about the soil?

A. It is composed of mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organ-
isms.
B. It is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
C. It produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water and nutrient cycle, and
prevents soil and wind erosion.
D. It promotes growth for plants by providing nutrients, water, and as a substrate
for anchorage of roots.
8. How do oxygen and carbon dioxide make the earth habitable?

A. Carbon dioxide is used by photosynthetic organisms in photosynthesis, and
the oxygen is used by humans and animals for respiration.
B. Carbon dioxide and oxygen lead to maintenance of heat on Earth.
C. Carbon dioxide and oxygen is used by photosynthetic organisms and by our
cells to function.
D. Carbon dioxide and oxygen help prevent the entry of UV radiation.
9. How does Earth’s atmosphere protect us from the Sun's radiation?

I. Some of the sun's radiation is reflected away and absorbed by the
atmosphere, clouds, and the Earth's surface.
II. The presence of the ozone layer absorbs the ultraviolet wave-
lengths, and the absorption of this radiation heats up the air.
III. The gases in the atmosphere act as a protective layer that makes
the sun's radiation reflect away from the Earth's surface.
IV. The atmosphere reflects all the sun's radiation.
A. I only C. II and III
B. II only D. I and II
10. Which of the following characteristics of Earth help in the proliferation of life?
I. The atmosphere prevents the entry of solar radiation.
II. The presence of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
makes the Earth habitable.
III. The soil is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of
vegetation.
IV. Some forms of the hydrosphere serve as ways for transportation.
A. I and II only C. I, III and IV
B. I, II and III D. I, II, III, IV

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Earth: The Living Planet

Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most

The atmosphere consists of 78.1%

Soil and Vegetation

What do you think?

2. Which of the following gases is the most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?

3. _____________ is a living medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.

5. Which of the following is not true about the hydrosphere?

7. Which of the following is not true about the soil?

8. How do oxygen and carbon dioxide make the earth habitable?

9. How does Earth’s atmosphere protect us from the Sun's radiation?

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