Setting Up
Name:Quiday Marizuela B. Date:
Course/Year/Section: BSCE 2F
Directions: Take a look at your backyard and list down the different living things and
non-living things that you can see. Answer the questions that follow.
Living Things Non-Living Things
Bee Bike
Butterflies Chair
Worms Table
Birds Motorcycle
Spiders Umbrella
Trees Water
Chicken Wood
Dogs Tubes
Rat Rocks
Cats Sunlight
Flowers Air
Bugs Wind
How do living and non-living things depend on one another to create diversity in our
ecosystem?
Trees and plants, for example, rely on nonliving organisms to exist. Living organisms
will perish if they do not have access to food, water, and air. To generate their own
food, plants take water from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air, and energy from the
sun. Living things that are unable to produce their own nourishment must devour
other organisms, one of the great example of it are humans. Nonliving creatures do
not reproduce, grow, or require food so they can live on their own. Natural disasters
and human actions may disrupt or destabilize our ecosystem.
Activity 22
Name:Quiday Marizuela B. Date:
Course/Year/Section: BSCE 2F
Directions: Answer the following questions briefly.
1. How is diversity related to a healthy society?
Without a certainty, one of the most important indications of sustainable development
is health. Biodiversity refers to the diversity of living species on Earth at all levels,
from genes to ecosystems that sustain life. It promotes and provides significant health
advantages by securing and protecting the services and goods that diversity brings.
2. What is the difference between species richness and species evenness?
Species richness is just the amount of species in an area or place that are measured in
either the number of biomass or individuals and makes an ecosystem able to respond
to any catastrophe, whereas species evenness describes the distribution of abundance
over species in an area that can be determine in either high or low.
3. Differentiate the three levels of biodiversity. Give examples of each one.
The Genetic Diversity found in diverse species such as plants, animals, and microbes
is referred to as genetic diversity, Genetic diversity is the main contributor to
biodiversity in our ecosystem.It allows the species to thrive because the more diverse
a population's genes are, the more diversified the variants will be. Whereas Species
Diversity refers to the number of different species, species richness makes an
ecosystem able to respond to any catastrophe In an ecosystem, each species plays a
crucial function. It's critical to preserve variety because once it's gone, it's gone
forever. While Ecological (or community) Diversity refers to the diversity of
ecosystems or habitats in a certain location as well as their overall influence on
individuals and the environment. It focuses on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
When a complex ecosystem is heavily impacted by human activities and other
environmental issues, there is a probability that the relationships between creatures
will persist despite the damage.
Examples:
Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecological Diversity
Different breeds of cats Crustaceans Forests
and dogs.
4. Do you think GMOs are safe to consume? Explain your answer.
I'm stuck between whether it's safe or not. Because I consume this kind o food, one of
the products I believe is now genetically engineered is eggplant. Given my current
state, I believe nothing is wrong with my bodily or mental health. There's a part of me
that believes it isn't, saying that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) might
trigger the beginning of humanity's greatest horror (Zombie) since they are involve
in gene editing. Let's say we can't see the side effects of it right now, but who knows?
Perhaps the future can tell if it is safe or not.
4. Discuss and give examples of the following:
a. Ethical issues about GMOs
The introduction of genetically modified organisms into the ecosystem might have
unknown consequences. Another issue that has arisen for genetically modified
organisms that are designed to suit food and medical requirements is claiming patent
rights. Traditional knowledge of bio-resources exists in developing and undeveloped
portions of the world, such as India and Africa. The biodiversity of industrialized
countries, on the other hand, is poor. As a result, developing countries should enact
legislation to limit resource exploitation
b. Moral issues about GMOs
Genes can wind up in unexpected locations, and they can pass on to other members of
the same species, as well as perhaps other species, through "gene escape." Genes
introduced in GMOs are no exception, and interactions can occur at the level of the
gene, cell, plant, and ecosystem.
c. Health issues about GMOs
One particular source of concern is the risk that GMOs will have a harmful impact on
human health. This might be due to dietary changes, allergic reactions, or unfavorable
side effects including toxicity, organ damage, or gene transfer.
Activity 23
Name:Quiday Marizuela B. Date:
Course/Year/Section: BSCE 2F
Directions: Make a research on invasive species found in the Philippines. On the table
below, list down five invasive species, their desired effect and their negative effect to
the biodiversity.
Invasive species Desired/expected Negative effect on
effect biodiversity
1. Cane toad Cane toads are toxic at Cane toads are a threat to
all stages of their life biodiversity because they are
cycle, as eggs, tadpoles, poisonous, predatory, adaptive
toad-lets and adults, and and competitive.
their ingestion can kill
native predators.
2. Tilapia (Various) Lake Sebu, Agusan Despite the fact that the fish has
Marsh, and Liguasan become a mainstay of the
Marsh have all been Filipino cuisine, it has been
reported to have wild shown to have replaced other
Tilapia. Fish is a local fishes suited for human
significant protein food. Unique populations of fish
source for the majority that are only just being
of the world's discovered in area that a various
population. Genetically tilapia introduced are already
modified (GM) fish threatened. Cross-breeding,
have the potential to threatens the status of a unique
significantly boost the population of native tilapia as it
production of fish is discovered to mate with those
farms. said tilapia. .
3. Golden apple snail (Pomacea It was developed as a In rice agriculture, it is
canaliculata) protein supply for considered a crop pest. It has
farmers' diets and it caused significant harm to
is also maintained as an aquatic environments due to its
aquarium pet as it has a adaptability, omnivorous habits,
good appearance than a and high reproductive
usual snail. capabilities.
4. Clown knifefish (Chitala In the Philippines, it is Due to the knifefish feeding on
ornata) considered as an native fishes as well as alien
ornamental fish. species grown for human food
Another species that has such as milkfish and Tilapia, it is
been introduced into considered an invasive species.
local waters from home The knife fish invasion has had a
aquariums upon devastating impact on the
becoming too large its livelihoods of local fishermen.
count. They produced fewer and bigger
eggs than the lake's native fish
species.
5. Finlayson’s squirrel First reported in gated This squirrel is shown to be a
(Callosciurus finlaysonii) subdivisions and golf danger to native bird species.
courses in Metro
Manila. This species'
food contains a large
amount of tree barks,
indicating an extensive
debarking habit.
Activity 24
Name:Quiday Marizuela B. Date:
Course/Year/Section: BSCE 2F
Directions: Below are a few more examples of genetically modified organisms.
Identify the improved characteristics/traits of the following:
a. Flavr Savr Tomatoes
The Flavr Savr was designed to be able to be left longer to ripen on the vine (many
natural tomatoes are picked unripe and then ripened through chemical means) and to
have a longer shelf life than natural tomatoes.
b. Bt corn
Bt corn hybrids have had genes inserted from a naturally occurring soil bacterium,
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produce proteins with insecticidal properties. A
variety of protein toxins have been isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis. Different Bt
toxins have activity against different types of insects.
c. GM salmon
The Chinook salmon's growth promoting gene allows it to grow in less hospitable
environments. By transferring this gene, which uses the same growth promoting
hormone in both species, AquAdvantage salmon has the ability to grow in warmer
waters. The final product is AquAdvantage salmon, all of which are sterile females.
d. Vacanti mouse
The Vacanti mouse was a laboratory mouse (circa 1996) that had what looked like a
human ear grown on its back. The "ear" was actually an ear-shaped cartilage structure
grown by seeding cow cartilage cells into biodegradable ear-shaped mold and then
implanted under the skin of the mouse, with an external ear-shaped splint to maintain
the desired shape. Then the cartilage naturally grew by itself within the restricted
shape and size. The splint was removed briefly to take the publicity pictures
e. Spider goat
due to its strength and elasticity, spider silk fiber could have several medical uses,
such as for making artificial ligaments and tendons, for eye sutures, and for jaw
repair. The silk could also have applications in bulletproof vests and improved car
airbags.
f. GM soybeans
allow for less toxic and more environmentally friendly herbicides use on the crops,
improving human health. Insect-resistant GMO soybeans make up over 90 percent of
all soy grown in the United States. This soy modification allows for a much less toxic
insecticide to be used as well.
g. GM apple
The Arctic apple is the juiciest newcomer to produce aisles. It has the special ability
to resist browning after being cut, which protects its flavor and nutritional value.
Browning also contributes to food waste by causing unappealing bruising on perfectly
edible apples.
h. GM alfalfa
contains a gene that makes the plant resistant to the herbicide Roundup. That allows
farmers to spray the chemical to kill weeds without hurting the crop.
i. Featherless chicken
A featherless chicken has been produced by conventional breeding techniques to aid
poultry production in hot climates.
j. Herman the bull
‘Stier Herman’ was the world’s first transgenic (human to animal) animal that was not
only allowed to be created but also to reproduce and create a group of lactating cows.
Activity 25
Name:Quiday Marizuela B. Date:
Course/Year/Section: BSCE 2F
Directions: Write a short essay about the given issue. Your essay should be at least
100 words and should not exceed 300 words.Bt eggplant is a genetically-modified
eggplant developed by Filipino scientists. It was developed to become pest-resistance
containing the gene of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which contains toxins that
are lethal to some insects including the pest bollworm. Currently, it is under
controversy because of a legal battle between its supporters and those who are against
it.Should the government ban the production, commercialization and consumption of
the said product?
One of the most significant veggies on the earth is eggplant. In terms of area and
output volume, it is the Philippines' most important vegetable crop.
In many areas, resource-poor farmers cultivate eggplant and rely on it for a living. A
excellent source of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber. Farmers in the
Philippines spray a mixture of pesticides more than 70 times every season to prevent
such losses, which can result in a production loss of up to 80%. The government
should not prohibit the marketing and consumption of Bt eggplants in order to assist
impoverished farmers in reducing production and labor costs by using fewer or no
pesticides to manage the insect pest. If it kills the insects, the government should
come up with a different method to help with the problem caused by Bt eggplant. We
should not slide the good opportunity given by this product to help aid those in
need. It is harmless for people, agricultural animals, and non-target insects, according
to my study. Because I suppose that before the Bt eggplant is licensed for commercial
usage, scientists and authorities must confirm that it passes several testing and safety
evaluations.
