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Science
Quarter 3 – Hybrid Module 7
Species Diversity, Population Growth, and
Carrying Capacity
Week 7

SDO Taguig City and Pateros

 Let’s Learn

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the nature of Biology. 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.
The species diversity as it affects the adaptation and survival of organisms, population
growth, and carrying capacity are the main concerns in the creation of this module. Generally,
this module will help you explain how biodiversity influences the stability of ecosystems;
an ecosystem as being capable of supporting a limited number of organisms.
(S10LT-IIIh-41) and (S10LT-IIIi-42)

Specifically, after going through this module you are expected to:
1. explain the flow of energy in an ecosystem using diagrams/pictures;
2. explain how biodiversity increases the probability of adaptation and survival of
organisms in changing environment;
3. explain how biodiversity is related to stability;
4. explain how biodiversity affects stability in an ecosystem;
5. explain population growth and carrying capacity using a model;
6. explain how population growth affects carrying capacity; and
7. explain the relationship between population and carrying capacity by constructing/
composing a poem.

Let’s Try

Directions: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of best answer and write it
on your answer sheet.

1. Which linear diagram pertain to series of organisms through which the food nutrients
passed from producers to the consumers and up to the decomposers?
A. Energy cycle C. Food chain
B. Energy pyramid D. Food web
2. Which of the following refers to the stage or step in the transfer of energy in the ecosystem?
A. Biotic interaction C. Photosynthesis
B. Energy pyramid D. Trophic level
For items 3 to 4: Refer to the illustration below

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3. Which is the producer in the given food chain?
A. bird C. centipede
B. cabbage D. sun
4. Which is the second-order consumer in the given food chain?
A. bird C. centipede
B. cabbage D. sun
5. In the flow of energy in an ecosystem, which process takes place when light energy is
transformed into chemical energy in the form of organic food molecules?
A. Chemosynthesis C. Evaporation
B. Decomposition D. Photosynthesis
6. How do producers manufacture their food?
A. By consumption of other organisms
B. By fixing the Nitrogen in the atmosphere
C. By translating DNA molecules into energy
D. By converting sunlight into chemical energy
7. Refer to the energy pyramid, if the 1st trophic level has
1000 calories, how much energy will remain to the frog?
A. 10,000 cal. C. 100 cal.
B. 10 cal. D. 1 cal.

8. How much energy will remain to the snake?

A. 10,000 cal. C. 100 cal.
B. 10 cal. D. 1 cal.
9. Why are decomposers valuable to the biosphere?
A. Because they can act even without oxygen
B. Because they maintain the balance in nature
C. Because they reduce the number of biotic
factors
D. Because they return nutrients from the biosphere back to the soil

10. Which of the following refers to the number of individuals that the available resources of
an environment can successfully support?
A. Carrying capacity C. Overpopulation
B. Limiting resources D. Population growth

11. Why is it important that the population does not exceed the carrying capacity?
A. Because the population will be too diversified
B. Because there will be an oxygen depletion in nature
C. Because there will be an imbalance in the ecosystem
D. Because resources will not be enough to support the population
For items no. 12 to 13, refer to the diagrams below

A.

C.

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B.

D.

12. Which of the diagrams shows an exponential growth model? A

13. Which of the diagrams shows a logistic growth model? C

14. Which idea suggests that all organisms tend to multiply up to the limit of their
possible food supply and that the result are misery, sickness, and starvation?
A. Dismal theorem C. Catastrophism
B. Natural selection D. Acquired traits

15. Which organisms aid in recycling organic matter back to nature?

A. Producers C. Decomposers
B. Consumers D. Acquired traits

Lesson
The Flow of Energy in an
7 Ecosystem

Energy is an essential requirement for all organisms. Unicellular and multicellular

organisms utilize energy for the growth, reproduction, and repair of damaged cells. Organisms
acquire energy by food consumption or by converting sunlight into usable chemical energy.
As energy is consumed, it flows in the biosphere and gradually decreases. Most of this energy
is reverted to space in the form of heat.

Let’s Recall

THE FOOD CHAIN GAME

Directions: Create a diagram of Food Chain by selecting the organisms in given options
inside the box.

Frog Bird Hawk Snake Human Rodent

Grass Palay Maya Grasshopper Algae Fish
Seagrass Falcon Vulture Antelope Lion Decomposers
Tiger Cow Lizard Chicken Hyena Mushroom
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 Let’s Explore

SCITEXT ANAGRAM
Directions: Arrange the jumbled letters in each item to form the correct term that
corresponds to the description. Write your answer in the space provided.
The number corresponding to each letter forms the answer for the riddle.
1. A diagram that shows the amount of energy available at each level in a community.
E R G N Y E P A I Y M R D
9 3

enerygy pyramid
Answer ________________________________
2. Organisms that can manufacture their food through photosynthesis.
P D R R C O E U S
1

producers
Answer _________________________________

3. Organisms that aid in the breaking down of dead organisms to enrich the soil.
D O S E R P O C E M S

decomposers
Answer __________________________________

4. Variations of organisms present in an ecosystem.

B D V I S O E T I I R Y
4 5 2
biodiversity
Answer __________________________________

5. The flow of energy in an ecosystem.

T P O R C I H L L V E E
8 7 6
trophic level

grass grasshopper frog snake

worm, mushroom

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 Answer __________________________________

Riddle: This happens when there is a balance in the number of producers and consumers in
a community.
s r y b d e i t g
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Questions in your mind…..

Did you see any connections in the words you found? (provide a brief explanation)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
What do you think is the relevance of these words in this week’s topic?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Let’s Elaborate 1. Read the following discussions.

2. Use a graphic organizer to better
understand the discussions.
3. Highlight the important concepts
if necessary.
The Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem necessary.

All organisms need energy to survive. Energy is consumed in cellular growth and
reproduction, and damaged cell repair. This energy is also passed from one organism to
another in a form of food that provides nourishment. Sunlight or light energy is converted into
chemical energy as it enters the ecosystem through photosynthesis. This process enables
plants and other photosynthetic organisms to manufacture their food.

Plants serve as the producers in the ecosystem which will be eaten by a consumer
which can be herbivore or omnivore. Then first-order consumers will be eaten by another
higher-order consumer forming a series of transfers of food nutrients. Once the producer or
the consumers die, decomposers will aid in the decomposition of these organisms to return
absorbed nutrients to the soil. This process is called the food chain and each step of it is called
trophic level. Figure 1 shows an example of a food chain.

Figure 1. Food Chain

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 Figure 2. One-Way Path of Energy in an Ecosystem.

In the given figure, grass harnessed the light energy coming from the sun and
converted it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. The energy will be utilized to
nourish the grass. The grasshopper, a first-order consumer, and an herbivore will directly
consume the grass for its nourishment. Higher-order consumers will be fed on another
successively until they die. The remains of these organisms will decay with the aid of
decomposers and will revert to the soil which serves as nutrients. Other producers will then
consume these nutrients. Throughout the process, the chemical energy of food is transformed
into other forms of energy in the body of the consumers. Other forms of energy escaped the
body of organisms in the form of heat and will return to space. This heat will not be used as a
source of energy for other organisms and will not reenter the ecosystem. Figure 2 shows the
one-way path of energy in an ecosystem.

To learn more about the food chain, food web, and energy pyramid, you
may visit the following links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuO4WB4SwCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oVavgmveyY

The Energy Pyramid

The flow of energy in an ecosystem can also be illustrated using the Energy Pyramid. It is a
diagram that shows how energy from the first trophic level dissipate as it moves towards the
highest trophic level. Figure 3 shows an example of an energy pyramid. The trophic level with
the corresponding energy input tells the location of the organism in the food chain. Grass,
which is a producer, is in the first trophic level
with the highest energy input of 1000 cal.
Grasshopper, which is an herbivore located in
the second trophic level will consume the grass.
Frog and snake which are carnivores occupy the
third and fourth trophic levels respectively.

At each trophic level, organisms

consume the energy they obtain in their
activities. You will notice that only 10% of the
energy input from the lower trophic level will be
passed to the next. The reason for this is that
some of the energy consumed by the organisms
will be converted to heat and will return to space.
The shape of this diagram expresses the decrease in the available energy in the successive
trophic level. Some authors called this “Rule of Ten”.

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The Food Web
It is a fact that in an ecosystem
several food chains are unified in such
a way that they form a complex chain
which is called a food web. Figure 4
shows that the bird, mice, and
grasshopper are dependent on rice
plants for food. Other consumers such
as monitor lizard and frog are
dependent on these first-order
consumers. In a balanced ecosystem,
the population size of the prey is
affected by population size of the
predator.
Figure 4. Food Web

Lesson
Population Growth and
8 Carrying Capacity

The Earth as we know it is facing an unnoticeable plague more fatal than any pathogen
that may lead to the next mass extinction; that is overpopulation. Many countries are suffering
from poverty, poor health care systems, and failing economic conditions. These circumstances
are sometimes attributed to poor governance and without due regard to population control. In
an ecosystem for example, if there is a gradual increase in the number of predators up to the
point of insufficiency of available prey, there will be shortage of source of food, and just
imagine how gruesome would be the effect of this in the entire population of these predators.
It is essential then to understand population growth and carrying capacity.

Let’s Recall

CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle by using the clues below.

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 Clues
1. Organisms that can
1.C
manufacture their food.
2. R O D U E
2. Organisms that depend on P C R S
other organisms for the source N
of food S
3. Organisms that aid in recycling U 4.
nutrients from dead organisms 3.
D E C OM P O
S E R S
4. A diagram that shows how
E
energy dissipates as it passes
through trophic levels. R
5. A linear diagram where series S
of organisms through which the 6.
f
food nutrients are passed from
o
producers to the consumers. 5.F O A
O D C H I N
6. Interconnected food chains
d
w
e
b
Let’s Explore

THE UPSURGE
Directions: Identify and describe what the picture depicts below.

P P L I N G W H
Describe it here. __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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 Let’s Elaborate

Population Growth
Population growth is a process by which a population in a particular community
increase in number over time. There are several factors that affect population growth. These
factors involve fertility rate, mortality rate, and migration. Migration involves the process of
moving into the population (immigration) and moving out of the population (emigration). To
better understand population growth, it is essential to understand what is carrying capacity
and limiting resources.

Carrying capacity is the number of individuals that the available resources of an

environment can successfully support. Limiting resources on the other hand refers to the
resources that organisms must have to survive and is available only in a limited quantity in
their environment. Limiting resources function to limit population growth to prevent the
population from exceeding the carrying capacity. Food and water are the common limiting
resources. These two concepts are interconnected. It is like a concept of proportion. For
example, if community A with a land area and food resources enough to support only a
population of 50, then the population shall not exceed this number. If the population exceeds
the carrying capacity because of too much reproduction, let’s say it increase to 100 after 1
month, land area and food resources then will not be enough for the population.

Population Growth Models

Scientists utilize models to better

explain population growth over time. In
Exponential Growth Model (EGM),
population increase over time as result of the
number of individuals available to reproduce
without regard to resource limits. The
population size increases at an exponential
rate. Figure 5 shows how quickly population
can grow when it does not face any limiting
resources. The shape formed in this model is
commonly regarded as “J-curve”. For
example, in a laboratory experiment, the
number of bacteria in a culture medium will continuously rise within a minute.
Figure 5. Exponential Growth Model

To learn more about the exponential growth model and logistic growth
model, you may visit the following links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfOecDMBrOk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyAKEisg2PQ

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 The Logistic Growth Model (LGM) 3
illustrates how a population may increase
exponentially until it reaches the carrying
capacity of the environment. This simply
suggests that the growth of most populations
depends at least in part on the available 2
resources in their environments. When
population number reaches the carrying
capacity, population growth slows down or
stops together. Figure 6 shows a logistic
growth model which forms a shape known as 1
“S-curve”. The logistic growth model is divided
into 3 phases namely: lag, exponential, and
stationary phase.
Figure 6. Logistic Growth Model (LGM)

Segment 1 of the given figure shows the lag phase wherein the population begins to
increase. Segment 2 is the exponential phase where there is a rapid growth in the population.
Segment 3 represents the stationary phase where there is a decrease in the population growth
due to limiting factors. The limiting factors which can be biotic or abiotic restrain any further
growth.

The Dismal Theorem

As the population approaches their carrying capacity, more offspring are born than the
current resources can support, as a result, the population exceeds the carrying capacity. When
the population number exceeds what the environment can support, some individuals suffer
and die off because of insufficient resources.

This problem has already been conceived a long time ago by Thomas Robert Malthus.
In 1798, Malthus published his influential book “An Essay on the Principle of Population as it
Affects the Future Improvement of Mankind”. Malthus is an economist interested in human
problems though he brought much biological information. He presented pieces of evidence
showing that all organisms including man, tend to multiply up to the limit of their possible food
supply and that the results are misery, sickness, and starvation for many individuals. This
came to be called as “Dismal Theorem” or “Malthusian Catastrophe”.

Dismal theorem sparks interest among scholars in various sectors of society and
became one of the bases of social legislation in other countries relative to the population size
control. One of the popular legislations overseas is the One-Child Policy of China which
primary aim is to control the size of their rapidly growing population and to better distribute the
available resources over their people.

In the Philippines, according to www.worldmeters.info, the population in the year 2020

is 109,581,078 with a yearly percentage change of 1.35 which equals to 1,464,463. The rapid
population growth in the Philippines became one of the pressing problems which the
government intends to address.

To learn more about the Dismal theorem, you may visit the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAkW_i0bDpQ

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 Let’s Dig In

Activity 1: THE FLOW OF ENERGY

Directions: Perform the following activities indicated in each item.

1. Construct a food chain using the organisms provided below.

(rice plant, maya, hawk, caterpillar, snake)
2. Fit the organisms provided above into an energy pyramid.
3. Using the same energy pyramid, identify the organisms in the 1st trophic level, 2nd
trophic level, 3rd trophic level, 4th trophic level, 5th trophic level.
4. Indicate the kilocalorie at each trophic level. The based energy in the first trophic level
is 30,000 Kg. cal.
5. Illustrate the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Activity 2: INVESTIGATING POPULATION GROWTH

Objective: To relate population growth rate to the amount of time required for a population
to double in size

Materials: Graphing paper and colored pens

Procedure:
1. Copy the data table of the population in your graphing paper. Use the formula below
to calculate how many people are added to each country listed in the table.

Population size + (growth rate x population size) = New population size

2. Use the formula below to calculate the number of years required for each country to
double at the current growth rate.

70 / growth rate = population doubling time

Data Table
Country Population Population Population Population
size in 1980 growth rate added each doubling time
year
China 970 000 000 1.5%
United States 230 000 000 0.7%
Saudi Arabia 8 650 000 3.0%
France 53 950 000 0.5% 26, 975, 000 140

Example
France

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a. Growth rate x population size = Population added each year
0.5 x 53 950 000 = 26, 975, 000

b. Population size + (growth rate x population size) = New population size

53 950 000 + (0.5 x 53 950 000) = 80, 925, 000

c. 70 / growth rate = population doubling time

70/ 0.5 = 140

Guide Questions
1. Rank the countries based on the new population size in the year 1981.
2. Which of the country would have a greater impact on the future world population?
3. Which of the countries has the highest population doubling time? How about the country
with the least population doubling time?

Let’s Remember

UNITY OF SCIENCE AND POETRY

Directions: Compose a poem about the relationship between population and carrying
Capacity. Be guided on the rubric below. Answer the questions that follow.

Scoring Rubric
Scored Factor Very Good Good Developing
6 4 2
Concept The concepts in the The concepts in the The concepts in the
poem are complete poem are considerably poem are very minimal
and error-free enough with minor errors with lots of error
Organization The lines in the The lines in the poem are The lines in the poem
and poem are clearly properly presented are unclear and
Presentation and properly improperly presented
presented
Grammar There is no There are less than five There are five or more
grammatical error grammatical error grammatical error
observed observed observed

Let’s Apply

1. Research on some positive ways of population controls by government policies in

addition to summarizing the concepts about population growth in a poem.
2. What is the role of Covid 19 Pandemic as a dismal form of population control?

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 Let’s Evaluate

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer and write it
on your answer sheet.
1. What is the role of decomposers in the biosphere?
A. They return nutrients from the biosphere back to the soil
B. They reduce the number of biotic factors
C. They maintain the balance in nature
D. They can act even without oxygen
2. Which of the following refers to the number of individuals that the available resources of
an environment can successfully support?
A. Carrying capacity C. Overpopulation
B. Limiting resources D. Population growth
3. Why is it important that the population does not exceed the carrying capacity?
A. Because resources will not be enough to support the population
B. Because there will be an imbalance in the ecosystem
C. Because there will be an oxygen depletion in nature
D. Because the population will be too diversified
4. In the flow of energy in an ecosystem, which process takes place when light energy is
transformed into chemical energy in the form of organic food molecules?
A. Chemosynthesis C. Evaporation
B. Decomposition D. Photosynthesis
5. How do producers manufacture their food?
A. By consumption of other organisms
B. By fixing the Nitrogen in the atmosphere
C. By translating DNA molecules into energy
D. By converting sunlight into chemical energy
6. Which idea suggests that all organisms tend to multiply up to the limit of their
possible food supply and that the result are misery, sickness, and starvation?
A. Catastrophism C. Dismal theorem
B. Acquired traits D. Natural selection
7. Which of the following is mainly responsible for recycling organic matter back to nature?
A. Decomposers C. Producers
B. Carnivores D. Herbivores
8. In an energy pyramid, how much energy will remain to the 2nd trophic level if the base energy
in the 1st trophic level is 20,000 cal?
A. 2,000 cal. C. 200 cal.
B. 20 cal. D. 2 cal.
For items no. 9 and 10, refer to the diagrams below.

A. C.

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 B.
D.

9. Which of the diagrams shows an exponential growth model?

10. Which of the diagrams shows a logistic growth model?
B. MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
Directions: Read the statements carefully. Write Y if the statement is TRUE and X if it is
FALSE. If it is false, replace the underlined term with the correct one to make it
true.
FALSE 1. As the population reaches the carrying capacity, lesser offspring are born than the MORE
current resources can support.
FALSE 2. When an organism emigrates, it means that the organisms moved out of the population. MIGRATES
FALSE 3. Only 20% of the based energy in the lower trophic level is transferred to the next level.10%
FALSE 4. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is cyclical. LINEAR
TRUE 5. In the exponential phase of the logistic growth model, rapid growth in the population
happens.

Let’s Extend

ANALYZING THE POPULATION GROWTH

Directions: 1. Complete the data table of the population of a hypothetical country with one
million residents.
2. Create a line graph using the data obtained and answer the guide questions.
3. Use the formula below to compute the population added and the new
population each year
Formula
a. Growth rate x population size = Population added each year
b. Population size + (growth rate x population size) = New population size

Data Table
Country X
Year Population size Growth rate Population added New population size
2015 1, 000, 000 0.5% 500, 000 1, 500, 000
2016 0.5%
2017 0.5%
2018 0.5%
2019 0.5%
2020 0.5%

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 Guide Questions
1. How many are added to
the population in the year
2017? And in 2020?
2. How many times does the
base population doubled?
3. What is the population of
country X in the year 2019?
4. What can you infer in the
result of the line graph?

References
Printed References
1. Rabago, et al. (2010). Functional Biology. Philippines. Vibal Publishing House, Inc.
2. Dela Cruz, S.B. (2003). Next Century Biology. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
3. Payawal, P., et al. (1992). Biology. Academe Publishing House.
4. Ramos, J.D., et al. (2011). Exploring Life through Science (Biology). Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
5. DepEd (2009) Science and Technology Textbook for Second Year (Biology). Book Media Press, Inc.
6. Martinez, J.M. (2007). SciLinks Module 10 and 11 (TIMSS-Based Learning Materials).
Merryland Publishing Corp.
Development Team of the Module
Writer: IAN LUIGIE D. ORDOÑEZ
Editor:
Content Evaluators: MINERVA M. CONTRERAS, MT II,
JANETH G. MAMANSAG, MT II,
ROBEEMANE B. BALISI, TIII,
JENNY G. BELZA, T II,
AGAPE GRACE D. RIVEZA, T II &
MARY ANNE G. CAMBA, T I
Language Evaluator: AIRA GRACE ATABAY
HYBRID MODULE TEAM:

DR. MELEDA POLITA – SDS (Team Leader)

DR. REA MILANA-CRUZ – (School Principal IV-WBNHS)

JAYAR E. LONGASA – MT I (WBNHS)

Management Team: DR. MARGARITO B. MATERUM, SDS

DR. GEORGE P. TIZON, SGOD Chief
DR. ELLERY G. QUINTIA, CID Chief
DR. MARIVIC T. ALMO, EPS-SCIENCE
DR. DAISY L. MATAAC, EPS – LRMS/ALS

For inquiries, please write or call:

Schools Division of Taguig city and Pateros Upper Bicutan Taguig City

Telefax: 8384251

Email Address: sdo.tapat@deped.gov.ph

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