Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

8 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

Science Grade 8
Quarter 4 - Module 7
The Cycling of Materials in an
Ecosystem

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
 Module The Cycling of Materials in an
7 Ecosystem

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concepts behind the roles of organisms in the cycling of materials
(S8LT-IVi-23) and how materials cycle in an ecosystem (S8LT-IVi-24). 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. After
going through this module, you are expected to:
1. analyze the roles of organisms in the cycling of materials; and
2. explain how materials cycle in an ecosystem.

Water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus all take paths from the non-living
environment to living organisms, such as trees, and then back to the non-living
environment. These paths form cycles, known as biogeochemical cycles. In these
cycles, a pathway is formed when a substance enters living organisms, stays for a
long time, and then returns to the non-living environment. Such substances are
referred to as cycling within an ecosystem between an organism that lives in the
ecosystem and a non-living reservoir.

What’s In
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Activity 1: Cycling of Materials
Learning Intention: To familiarize the cycling of materials on earth.
I. Identify each cycle. Write your answer below the pictures given.

1.________________________
_

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 https://telanganatod https://byjus.com
ay.com
2.________________________ 3.________________________
_ _
II. Matching Type: Write the letter of the description that best matches each term
in the space provided.

Column A Column B
_____ 4. respiration a. Carbon dioxide available to other organisms
through this process acting on limestone.
_____ 5. ammonification b. This process returns nitrogen gas to the
atmosphere.
_____ 6. combustion c. Carbon dioxide is the by-product of this
biological reaction.
_____ 7. denitrification d. This process releases carbon from fossil fuels.
_____ 8. erosion e. This process converts nitrogen into a usable
form for organisms.
_____ 9. Photosynthesis f. This contributes to the return of vapor to the
atmosphere.
_____10. evaporation g. This process brings carbon into the living
of its cycle.

What’s New 8

These simple science activities demonstrate how the water cycle works and
the processes involved in the movement of water.

Activity 2: How does Water Cycle Work?

Materials Needed:
Large bowl Plastic wrap
Mug or small cup Water
String or large rubber band

Figure 1: Sample of how the setup should look like

https://lessons4littleon
3 es.com
 Procedure:
1. Place the mug or small cup in the center of the bowl. Fill the bowl with water
about 2/3 of the way up the cup (do not put water inside the cup).
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and either tie it with string or place a large
rubber band around it to secure the plastic wrap.
3. Place it outside in a sunny area for a few hours.
4. After a few hours observe what happens to the plastic wrap and if there is water
inside the cup.
5. The plastic wrap will have condensation and some of it will have dripped or
fallen into the cup/mug.

Guide Questions (2 points each):

1. What did you observe on the plastic wrap?

_____________________________________________________
2. Where does the water on the plastic wrap come from?
_____________________________________________________
3. What makes the water particles move up in the plastic cover? What
process is involved?
_____________________________________________________
4. What process is demonstrated when the water drops are getting too
heavy and are falling back down to the water in the bowl or mug?
_____________________________________________

What is it?
THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE

Energy flows directionally through Earth’s ecosystems, typically entering in

the form of sunlight and exiting in the form of heat. However, the chemical
components that makeup living organisms are different: they get recycled. What does
that mean? For one thing, the atoms in your body are not brand new. Instead, they've
been cycling through the biosphere for a long, long time, and they've been part of
many organisms and non-living compounds along the way.

Biogeochemical cycles mainly refer to the movement of nutrients and other

elements between biotic and abiotic factors. The matter on Earth is conserved and
present in the form of atoms. Since matter can neither be created nor destroyed, it
is recycled in the earth’s system in various forms. The earth obtains energy from the
sun which is radiated back as heat, rest all other elements are present in a closed
system. The major elements include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, and sulfur. These elements are recycled through the biotic and abiotic
components of the ecosystem. The atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are the
abiotic components of the ecosystem.

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THE HYDROLOGIC (WATER) CYCLE
The earth has a limited
amount of water. This water
keeps going around and
around in what we call the
water cycle or the hydrologic
cycle. Water constantly cycles
between the oceans,
atmosphere, land, and
organisms, as illustrated in
figure 2. The cycle starts with
the evaporation of water from
the surface, most of which Figure 2: The Water Cycle
comes from various bodies of https://byjus.com

water. The water cycle could not occur without the sun. The sun’s heat causes water
to change from liquid to water vapor (gas). Plats also lose water to the air in a process
called transpiration. During condensation, the water vapor rises in the
atmosphere, cools and forms into clouds, then changes back into a liquid. When the
clouds can no longer carry the amount of water they hold, this water falls back to
the earth’s surface as precipitation. Precipitation can be in the form of rain, hail,
sleet, or snow. The water from the precipitation seeps into the soil and eventually
returns to the different bodies of water, into the ocean, into lakes, into rivers, and on
land. Precipitation is important because it can carry nutrients to other areas and can
wash away waste. Plants need water to grow, but they also release a large amount of
water vapor into the environment during transpiration, water that runs off into
different bodies of water where it evaporates and the cycle repeats itself.

THE CARBON DIOXIDE-OXYGEN CYCLE

The second most
abundant atom found in an
organism is carbon. All
organisms need carbon to
survive. Carbon is cycled
between the environment
and organisms during the
oxygen-carbon cycle, which
is shown in figure4. The
oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle
shows the interdependence
among organisms for these
important gasses.
Analyze Figure 4 that
illustrates the carbon
dioxide-oxygen cycle and
answer the questions that Figure 4: The Carbon-Oxygen Cycle
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follow.

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Questions:
1. What are the two main biological processes involved in the carbon dioxide-
oxygen cycle?
________________________________________________________________________
2. In the figure, which organism takes in oxygen?
________________________________________________________________________
3. In the figure, which organism takes in carbon dioxide?
________________________________________________________________________
4. In the figure, which organism releases oxygen in the atmosphere?
________________________________________________________________________
5. In the figure, which organism releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
________________________________________________________________________
6. What natural processes release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere?
________________________________________________________________________
7. Of what use is oxygen in all living things?
________________________________________________________________________
8. Of what use is the carbon dioxide to producers?
________________________________________________________________________

Photosynthesis and Respiration

When plants photosynthesize, they use Carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
Oxygen produced by plants in photosynthesis is used by animals when they respire;
animals, in turn, produce carbon dioxide. Like animals, plants also carry out the
process of respiration. During respiration, plants use oxygen and produce carbon
dioxide. Animals take in oxygen from the atmosphere and give off carbon dioxide
during respiration. This process occurs day and night. Plants, however, give off
oxygen and take in carbon dioxide when they photosynthesis during the day. At
night, plants cannot photosynthesize; they “breathe” just like animals. They take
oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.
Notice that plants and animals depend on each other for these essential gases.
Plants produce oxygen needed by animals. In turn, animals produce carbon dioxide,
which plants need. Carbon is also returned to the atmosphere during decomposition.
Decomposition is the breaking down of substances into simpler molecules.
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms into other
forms of carbon. These molecules can form coal, oil, and natural gas underground
which are also known as fossil fuels. The carbon in fossil fuels can be released during
combustion, the process of burning a substance.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE

Nitrogen (N2) is an essential nutrient that all organisms need nitrogen to build
proteins, which are used to build new cells. Most of the nitrogen in the earth’s
atmosphere exists as nitrogen gas. The cycling of nitrogen between the environment
and organisms is called the nitrogen cycle.
The Nitrogen Cycle, shown in figure 3 is a complex process with four
important stages.

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 Figure 3: The Nitrogen Cycle
https://www.sciencefacts.net

Nitrogen Cycle Stages

Nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere as
Nitrogen gas. Only a few species of bacteria can change
nitrogen gas into a usable form. These bacteria often live
in the roots of Plants. The bacteria combine nitrogen with
other elements and release the compounds into the soil.
These compounds can then be used by plants. Animals
get the nitrogen that they need by eating plants and other
animals.
Some bacteria convert nitrogen to ammonium ions.
This process is called nitrogen fixation. It is the primary
and an important step in the nitrogen cycle. Free nitrogen
is “fixed” in three ways:
1. Atmospheric fixation happens through lightning
Figure 4: Nodules in the
action. roots of soybeans
2. Biological fixation happens through the action of https://www.ilsoyadvisor.com

microbes (bacteria and archaea) that are living freely in the soil or living in
symbiosis in the roots of leguminous plants like soybeans and some animals
like termites and wood-eating mollusks.
3. Industrial fixation happens in the laboratory.).

The process by which ammonium gets changed into nitrates is called

nitrification. Once the nitrogen has been fixed in the soil, plants can absorb
nitrogen through their roots. This process of absorption is known as assimilation.
Ammonification is another process by which ammonia can be generated. Organic
remains of plants and animals are broken down in the soil by some bacteria to release
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ammonia into the soil. Denitrification is the reduction of nitrates to gaseous
nitrogen. Denitrifying bacteria perform almost the reverse of the nitrogen-fixing
bacteria.

Decomposers and the Nitrogen Cycle

After organisms obtain and use the nitrogen they need, decomposers
eventually return the nitrogen to the atmosphere. After plants and animals die,
decomposers in the soil break down the organisms into nitrogen that plants can use.
Decomposers also change a small amount of nitrogen from dead organisms into
nitrogen gas, which cycles back to the atmosphere.

Now let’s have this another activity:

Analyze the diagram of the nitrogen cycle below and use it in answering the questions
that follow.

astarbiology.com

Questions:
9. It is the process by which gaseous nitrogen (N2) is converted to ammonia
(NH3 or NH4+).
_____________________________________________________________________
10. It is the process by which ammonia is converted to nitrites (NO2-) and then
nitrates (NO3-).
_____________________________________________________________________
11. What is the process by which plants and animals incorporate the NO3- and
ammonia formed through nitrogen fixation and nitrification?
_____________________________________________________________________
12. It is the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia.
_____________________________________________________________________
13. It is the process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas, thus removing
bioavailable nitrogen and returning it to the atmosphere.
_____________________________________________________________________

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 What’s More
Activity 3: The Nitrogen Game!
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NITROGEN CYCLE CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Directions: Read the clues below and fill in the correct answers.

Across Down
6. The part of the plant that absorbs 1. Organisms such as bacteria and fungi
nutrients from the soil. 2. The process of ammonium getting
7. The process by which nitrates are changed into nitrates by bacteria
converted to nitrogen gas. 3. The first step in making nitrogen useful to
8. How plants get nitrogen plants.
4. The process by which the protein in waste
matter, dead plants or animals is converted
to ammonia
5. In Nitrogen Fixation the nitrogen is
changed into ___________.

1 2

3 4

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 What I Have Learned 8

Activity 4: Let’s label it!

Directions: Label the diagram according to the stages that occur in the water
cycle. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

WATER CYCLE

2
3 .
.

1
4 .
.

CONDENSATION PRECIPITATION EVAPORATION COLLECTION

https://www.education.com

Directions: Label the carbon dioxide oxygen cycle diagram. Write the letter of your
answers on the boxes provided.

A. Plants release oxygen during

1. photosynthesis.
2.
B. Animals breathe out (exhale)
carbon dioxide.
3.

C. Animals breathe in (inhale)

oxygen.

D. Plants absorb carbon dioxide

during photosynthesis.
4.
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/22236591890760188/

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 What I Can Do
20
Activity 5: You can do more!

Directions: Use the terms provided to complete the concept map below. (2pts each)

CYCLES IN
NATURE

CARBON DIOXIDE –
WATER CYCLE
OXYGEN CYCLE

In which water moves

continuously through
In which

PLANTS ANIMAL
S

Precipitation Evaporation Carbon Dioxide

Oxygen Condensation

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 CYCLES IN NATURE

NITROGEN CYCLE

In which

NITROGEN IN THE
ATMOSPHERE

to be
converted into
goes back to the atmosphere through

AMMONIUM
IONS

goes through

PLANTS

NITRATES

Assimilation Ammonification Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrification Condensation

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 Assessment
10
Set A. Directions. Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Once water makes it all way through the water cycle, the water________.
A. has finished that and moves onto a different cycle
B. starts to cycle all over again
C. disappears
D. stays in the stage at which it finished
2. What is the correct term for rising water vapor meeting colder air and turning
back into water droplets?
A. dehydration B. evaporation C. condensation D. precipitation
3. Where does the energy that powers the water cycle come from?
A. electric outlets B. plants C. animals D. the sun
4. What gas is released by plants and needed by animals?
A. Carbon B. nitrogen C. oxygen D. phosphorus
5. What process is involved in the production of sugar and oxygen?
A. photosynthesis B. condensation C. reproduction D. evaporation
6. Nitrogenous waste such as urine, feces, or dead organisms return to the soil and
is converted into ammonium ions through the process called –
A. nitrification C. denitrification
B. ammonification D. nitrogen fixation
7. Which is an example of respiration?
A. Dead plant transfers carbon to the soil.
B. The burning of fossil fuels
C. Plants use glucose for food, and carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
D. The ocean surface removes carbon from the atmosphere through diffusion.
8. What role does photosynthesis have in the carbon cycle?
A. Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to create glucose.
B. Plants add CO2 into the atmosphere after photosynthesis.
C. Animals and plants decompose during photosynthesis.
D. CO2 is removed from the atmosphere during respiration.
9. The conversion of nitrogen to ammonia or nitrogenous compounds is called as
A. nitrogen assimilation C. denitrification
B. nitrogen fixation D. nitrification
10. Bacteria in the soil and plant roots perform -
A. nitrogen fixation B. denitrification C. ammonification D. nitrification

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Set B. Directions. Encircle the letter of the best answer.
10
1. What gas is released during the decomposition of organisms? 05
A. oxygen B. carbon C. nitrogen D. carbon and oxygen
2. In the water cycle, what process is involved when water vapor turns into water
droplets?
A. dehydration B. evaporation C. condensation D. precipitation
3. What gas is released by animals and needed by plants?
A. phosphorus B. nitrogen C. oxygen D. carbon dioxide
4. What process is involved when CO2 is used in the production of oxygen?
A. evaporation B. condensation C. reproduction D. photosynthesis
5. When dead organisms are acted upon by the microorganisms, the nitrogenous
materials returned to the soil and is converted into ammonium ions through the
process called--
A. nitrification B. ammonification C. denitrification D. assimilation

Additional Activities 5
Activity 7: Fill in the Blanks

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

1. Plants produces ____________ and uses _________________ during photosynthesis.

2. The water cycle could not occur without the _______.
3. Water to change from liquid to water vapor (gas) during _____________.
4. The cycling of nitrogen between the environment and organisms is called the
___________________.
5. _____________________ convert ammonia to nitrates.

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 15
What’s In What’s New
What I can Do
Activity 1. Cycle of Activity 2. How does Water
Activity 5: You can do more
materials Cycle work?
1. Carbon dioxide- Guide questions:
Oxygen Cycle 1. Water droplets Water Cycle
2. Water Cycle 2. from water in the bowl
3. Nitrogen Cycle 3. due to the sun’s heat. EVAPORATION
Matching Type: The process of evaporation
4. c 7. b 10. f 4. It demonstrates
5. e 8. a precipitation
6.d 9. a PRECIPITATION CONDENSATION
What Is It What’s More
1. Photosynthesis and Activity 3: The Nitrogen Game
Respiration
2. Both plants and animals
3. Plants
Carbon Dioxide- Oxygen Cycle
4. Plants
5. Animals
6. Respiration CARBON
7. Oxygen is used in DIOXIDE
breaking down (oxidizing)
food to release energy
8. CO2 is used by
producers in making
food/ CO2 is a raw
material for
Photosynthesis
9. Nitrogen Fixation
10. Nitrification OXYGEN
11. Assimilation
12. Ammonification
13. Denitrification
What I have learned Assessment Nitrogen Cycle
Activity 4
Water Cycle Test set A
1.evaporation
2.condensation
1.b 6. b
3.precipitation 2.c 7. c
DENITRIFICATION NITROGEN FIXATION
4.collection 3.d 8. a
4.c 9. b
Carbon Cycle 5.a 10. c
1.a
ASSIMILATION
2.d
3.c Test set B
4.b 1.c 6. b
2.c 7. c
3.d 8. a
Additional Activities
1. oxygen, carbon 4.d 9. b
NITRIFICATION
2. sun 5.d 10. d
3. evaporation
4. nitrogen cycle
5. nitrifying bacteria
Answer Key- Gr8Q4W7 Science
 References
Books:
Campo, Pia C., May R. Chavez, Maria Helen D. H. Catalan, Leticia V. Catris, Marlene B. Ferido, Ian
Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Jacqeline Rose M. Gutierrez, Shirley R. Jusayan, Michael Anthony
B. Mantala, Cerilina M. Maramag, Marie Paz E. Morales, Eligio C. Obille, Jr., Digna
Paningbatan, Genevieve Faye Pasamonte, Ma. Dulcelina O. Sebastian, Rolando M. Tan, and
Rodolfo S. Treyes. "Unit 4 Module 2. Interaction." In Science - Grade 8 Learner's Module,
First Edition, 284-287. Pasig City, Philippines: Department of Education, 2013.
Science Links 8 Worktext for Scientific and Technology Literacy, 2017 Edition, Page 437-441
Harcourt Science Workbook, Harcourt Inc., Page WB28
Holt Biology, Ecosystems, Page 5-6, 10-11
Exploring Our Environment, High School Science 1, First Edition, Page 205-207
Electronic Resources:
https://byjus.com/biology/biogeochemical-cycles/
https://byjus.com/biology/water-cycle/
https://byjus.com/biology/oxygen-cycle-environment/
https://byjus.com/biology/nitrogen-cycle/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/biogeochemical-cycles/a/introduction-to-
biogeochemical-cycles
https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/label-the-water-cycle/
https://lessons4littleones.com/2015/04/15/water-cycle-rain-cycle-science-experiments/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/22236591890760188/
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-nitrogen-cycle-processes-players-and-
human-15644632/
https://www.fondriest.com/news/nitrogencycle.htm
https://www.sciencefacts.net/nitrogen-cycle.html
https://telanganatoday.com/what-is-the-importance-of-the-water-cycle
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-water-hydrologic-cycle.html

Development Team Region IX Hymn

OUR EDEN LAND
Writer: AMY S. JUMAWAN Here the trees and Golden beams of
Master Teacher I flowers bloom, sunrise and sunset,
Pagadian City NHS Here the breezes Are visions you’ll never
Editor: BONNA MARIS N. ROMA gently blow, forget.
Teacher III Here the birds sing Oh! That’s Region IX...
Zamboanga del Sur NHS merrily,
Reviewer: MILA P. ARAO And liberty forever Hardworking people
EPS - Science stays abound,
Management Team: Every valley and dale
Here the Badjaos Zamboangenos,
DANNY B. CORDOVA, Ed.D., CESO VI swam the seas, Tagalogs, Bicolanos,
Schools Division Superintendent Here the Samals live in Cebuanos, Ilocanos,
peace, Subanens, Boholanos,
MARIA COLLEEN L. EMORICHA, Ed.D., CESE
Here the Tausogs Illongos,
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
thrive so free, All of them are proud
MARIA DIOSA Z. PERALTA With the Yakans in and true
CID Chief unity. Region IX our Eden
Land.
MA. MADELENE P. MITUDA, Ed.D. Gallant men And
Education Program Supervisor – LRMDS Ladies fair,
Linger with love and Region IX, our Eden
MILA P. ARAO care, Land.
Education Program Supervisor - Science

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