Earth is unique in the Solar System as being the

only planet which is able to support life in all its

forms. There are many reasons why this happens.

Some characteristics that make a planet habita

for humans are oxygen, water, sunlight, protec
atmosphere, gravity, and temperature.

Essential Question-
What are the characteristics that make a planet
habitable for humans? What conditions need to
exist in order for life to survive?
Oxygen is a key ingredient to life.
All human beings breathe oxygen.
Oxygen is constantly put
into the atmosphere by
plants and trees.
Earth has a
breathable
atmosphere.
Water on Earth can be found anywhere, in its
three states. It can be frozen, taking the form
of ice. It can be liquid, seen in
seas and oceans and lakes.
No other planet has liquid water.

Water is essential for life –

our bodies are 50-70% water.
Water can transport nutrients, absorb heat and
regulate body temperature.
Sunlight is very important. Heat, light, and energy all
come from the sun. Trees and plants need the Sun to
produce oxygen through a process called
photosynthesis. We also need sunlight to grow our
food - crops and animals.
 Reason 4: Protective
Atmosphere
The ozone is
the layer
around the
The earth that
protective screens out
atmosphere harmful
around the radiation.
earth is
needed to
for the
survival of
humans.
 Reason Five: The Sun
If there was no Sun, there would be no life on
Earth. Earth would not exist.
Temperature

Because of Earth's ideal distance from the

Sun, it receives the perfect amount of heat
and light to support life. Earth is the only
planet with the right temperature range for
there to be liquid water
 Reason Six:
Gravity is what
holds us down to
the planet,
without it we
would fly out
into space.

Too little
Too much gravity
gravity
tires muscles,
results in
breaks bones and
weaker
would require a
bones and
lot more energy
muscles.
to move.
Human Body
Systems
on Mars
Human Body Systems Modifications For Future Life on Mars

Mars in the Past:

Early in its history, the "Red Planet" had an atmosphere dense and warm enough to
sustain liquid water, and it may even have had an ocean throughout its northern
hemisphere.

Mars Today:
Mars is not much farther from the sun than Earth, but it is much colder.
Clouds of ice and frozen CO2 (dry ice) drift over its surface. Frozen ice caps
at the poles, which can be seen from Earth with a telescope, reflect sunlight.
Although Mars's atmosphere consists mainly of CO2, it is 100 times thinner
than Earth's atmosphere, so it provides only a small warming effect. Today,
however, all water on Mars is frozen.
Hypothetical Mars of the Future:
Primitive plant life, such as algae, could exist on Mars. Oxygen could be formed
by algae photosynthesis. Underground geo-thermal springs could be a result of
the large volcanic system that exists on Mars. These springs could be a source
of water. Humans will live underground due to the cold temperature. It will be
warmer underground due to the heat from geo-thermal springs.
 Human Body Systems Modifications For Future Life on Mars

Body System Organs Modifications Reasons

To weigh the Martin down
Nervous System Brain Large Gravity on Mars is 1/3 of Earth's
gravity
Skull Thick To protect large brain
Skeletal System Gravity on Mars is 1/3 of Earth's
Bones Bigger and more dense
gravity
Gravity on Mars is 1/3 of Earth's
Muscular System Muscles Bigger and more dense
gravity
Blood Very thick

Circulatory System Blood vessels Very large Extremely low oxygen levels
Heart Super enlarged
Extremely low oxygen levels
Respiratory System Lungs Super enlarged

Baleen System (see description below)

Diet consisting of algae
Mouth instead of teeth

Digestive System Surrounded by hairy bristles To filter small organisms

Intestines Only one intestine Only sources of nutrition are
Stomach Very small water and algae

Cold climate
Integumentary System Skin Thick The average temperature on
Mars is -81° F.
Name____________________________________________________Date______________________Period_________

Habitable Earth
Essential Questions-
1. What are the characteristics that make a planet habitable for humans?
2. What conditions need to exist in order for life to survive?

1. Oxygen (O2) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Light

Oxygen is a key Earth is the only planet with Trees and plants need the Sun to
ingredient to ____. ____________ water. produce ____________ through a
All __________ process called
breathe oxygen. Water is essential for _______- __________.
Our bodies are ____-____ water.
Earth is the only planet with
We also need sunlight to
Oxygen is constantly put into the ____________ water.
grow our _______.
___________________ by plants Water can:
and trees. ___________________________
___________________________
Earth has a __________________ ___________________________
atmosphere.

4. Protective Atmosphere 5. Distance from the Sun 6. Force of Gravity

The protective Because of Earth's ideal distance Gravity is what holds us down to
atmosphere from the _________, it receives the ___________, without it we
around the the perfect amount of _________ would fly out into ___________.
___________ is and ___________ to support
Too little Too much gravity
needed to for ________. Earth is the only
the ________of gravity results _____________
________ with the right
humans. in __________ _____________
____________
____________ _____________
The _________ is the layer range for there
____________ _____________
around the earth that screens to be
____________ _____________
out harmful ___________
____________ _____________
____________. water.
____________ _____________
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 Name____________________________________________________Date______________________Period_________

Habitable Earth
Essential Questions-
1. What are the characteristics that make a planet habitable for humans?
2. What conditions need to exist in order for life to survive?

1. Oxygen (O2) 2. Water (H2O) 3. Light

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4. Protective Atmosphere 5. Distance from the Sun 6. Force of Gravity

_____________________________________ _____________________________________ Gravity is ___________________

_____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________________
__
_____________________________________ _____________________________________ Too little Too much gravity
_____________________________________ _____________________________________ gravity results _____________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________ in __________ _____________
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