Effects of the

Environment
on the Life Cycle
Effect of Air on
the Life Cycle
of Organisms
Plants, animals and
humans breathe the air
around. Breathing is part
of a process called
respiration. During
During
photosynthesis,
plants take in
Air in the atmosphere is a mixture
of different gases that we cannot
see but we can feel. It is made up
of:
a. 78 percent nitrogen
b. 21 percent oxygen
Common pollutants in
the air
.carbon monoxide – burning
of gasoline by cars
.nitrogen oxide - burning of
.ozone – exhaust
from motor vehicles
.sulfur dioxide –
burning of coal by
If the air becomes
polluted, it will be
hard for living
Exposure to
polluted air will
cause coughing,
asthma and diseases
Air pollutants decrease the
ability of plants to make
food through
photosynthesis. This
causes:
A mix of air pollutants
and fog produces a smog.
. makes the air difficult to
breathe
. bad for the lungs of
When pollutants in the air
combine with water, it
will produce acid rain
which:
. damages the leaves of plants
Importance of Space in the Life
Cycle of Organisms
Plants, animals, and humans need enough living space in order to survive
and multiply. When there are too many organisms in a given space,
overcrowding occurs.
Overpopulation or overcrowding is not good to the health of the
organism. Lack of enough space will result to the following:
1. Lack of food - when there are too many of the same kind
of animal or plants competing for one food source.
- organisms are not healthy
- many will die of starvation or diseases
2. Wandering – overpopulation results to lack of food. Some
animals will go to other places in search for food. Outside
their habitat, may be harmed or may harm others
3. Disease – overcrowding may
spread diseases faster.
Effect of Sunlight on the Life
Cycle of Organisms
The sun is a very important environmental factor in the
ecosystem. All living things depend on the sun in order to
survive. Without the sun, life will not be possible on
earth.
The importance of the sun:
1. source of light in the earth
2. source of energy needed by plants to make food
3. source of solar power which converts energy from sunlight into
electricity
4. source of heat to warm the earth
- drying of clothes
- drying of crops
5. gives vitamin D, which is important for the body
6. ultraviolet ray of the sun kills the bacteria
- drying of clothes in the sun
- placing pillows under the heat of the sun
- increased water temperatures work together to kill harmful bacteria in the water.
The energy from the sun is transferred from plants to animals
when animals eat the plants. Only the right amount of sunlight
should be acquired, too much or too little will have a bad effect.
Plants should not be planted very near each other
so the plants will have enough exposure to
sunlight. This way, they can make more food.
Effects of Water on the Life
Cycle of Organisms
Water is very important for survival of living things.
Plants need water when they manufacture food through
photosynthesis. The process where plants transform the
energy from the sun into food.
Animals and humans need fresh water for our organs to function.
We get water from drinking it and from our food. Water makes
our bodies absorb vitamins and minerals from the food we eat. It
also helps to regulate our body temperature.
Water also provides a home for water or aquatic plants and
animals. It also provides a breeding ground or temporary
home for animals which spend part of their lives in water like
frogs and some insects.
Humans are the biggest consumers of water on earth.
We use water for drinking, cooking, washing, cleaning.
It is also used in growing food and in producing
electricity.
Only 2% of the water on earth if fresh water while saltwater
makes 97.5%. Protecting our environment is important to
keep the sources of our water pure. Water conservation
means using our water supply wisely and avoid polluting it.
CHALLENGE
TIME
1. What component does air
have that is essential for
living things to survive?
A. ammonia C. oxygen
B. nitrogen D. carbon
2. What makes our air polluted?
A. Cutting of trees in the forests.
B. Use of electric appliances at
home.
C. Spraying the farms with
pesticides to kill the pests.
D. Burning of gasoline and diesel
3. In what way air pollution affects the
plants?
A. Slow down the growth of the plants.
B. Makes plant good for animals to
eat.
C. Source of organic fertilizer for the
plants.
4. Which of the
following is
a pollutant in the air?
A. oxygen C. sulfur
5. Which of the following will
NOT be the result of
overcrowding?
A. Diseases spread easily.
B. Organisms grow very
healthy.
6. Competition for space results
to the following EXCEPT:
A. Lack of food for some
organisms.
B. Diseases spreading very fast.
C. Starvation for some animals.
7. Why is sunlight very important
to the ecosystem?
A. It is needed when plants make
food.
B. Sunlight makes us see things
around.
C. Oxygen is produced when there
8. What vitamin is responsible for
the proper development of bones
and teeth, and is released by the
body with the help of sunlight.
A. Vit A C. Vit E
B. Vit C D. Vit D