SCIENCE 8

4th QUARTER Module 4

Most Essential Learning Competency:

 Explain the concept of a species and classify organisms using the

hierarchical taxonomic system. (S8LT-IVg-19).

To the Learners
At last, you are about to reach the end of the quarter. Tap your shoulder and
congratulate yourself because you have made it this far! Gird yourself for the new
learning challenges and exciting activities this module contains. Bear in mind the
following instructions to prevent confusion and attain certain learning objectives.

1. Set a place free of distractions to focus on your studies.

2. Read the content and follow the instructions carefully.
3. Seek assistance to your parents/guardians and teachers to assess your
answers.
4. Work with honesty and always exhibit integrity.
5. Write down important details that you have acquired.
6. Reflect and apply the concepts that you have learned.
7. Enjoy while learning!
The Writers

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 Expectations
After going through this module, you are expected to:
 describe the concept of species;
 identify the levels of biodiversity as the basis for classifying organisms and
present examples for each;
 identify the different levels in the hierarchical taxonomic system; and
 make a concept map to classify organisms using the hierarchical system
with examples in each kingdom and economic importance.

Pre-Test
Directions: Read and understand the questions carefully. Write the letter of the
correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. Who is the father of modern taxonomy?

A. Albert Einstein C. Gregor Mendel
B. Carolus Linnaeus D. Isaac Newton
2. What is the smallest category of living organisms?
A. Class C. Kingdom
B. Domain D. Species
3. Which of the following consist of environment where organisms live and
interact with one another?
A. Cultural diversity C. Genetic diversity
B. Ecosystem diversity D. Species diversity
4. Why is plant kingdom important?
A. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen which humans and
animals need to breathe
B. It helps to purify water
C. It provides food for living organisms
D. All of the above
5. How are animals helpful to humans?
A. They reduce human stress, anxiety, and depression
B. They provide basic needs including food and clothes
C. They maintain the cycle of energy in the environment
D. They ensure the sustainability of their habitat

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 Looking Back
In the previous module, you have learned how to predict the outcome of a
genetic cross through the use of Punnett square. Punnett square allows you to
predict the genotypic and phenotypic combinations in genetic crosses using
mathematical probability. Let us see if you still remember them by solving the
following.

Directions: Solve this using the Punnett square. Identify the phenotypic and
genotypic ratios.

1. A green pea plant (Gg) is crossed with a yellow pea plant (gg).

Phenotypic ratio = ____________

Genotypic ratio = _____________

Brief Introduction
Biodiversity
This module focuses on the concept of species,
the three levels of biodiversity, and the different levels of
hierarchical taxonomic system. Let’s define first what
biodiversity is. The term biodiversity was first coined
by Walter G. Rosen in 1986. The biosphere includes of a
complex collections of innumerable living organisms,
known as the biodiversity. Biological diversity is the
sum total of various life forms such as unicellular fungi
and bacteria and multicellular organisms such as
plants and animals. These organisms found in every
corner of the world including bodies of water, land,
https://tinyurl.com/4bx9da72
extreme environments, and inside the human body.
This module also consists of different activities to be able for the learners to
acquire more knowledge about the topic, to realize how important biodiversity is
and to apply the lessons learned in everyday lives.

Activity 1
What is a Species?
Objective: Describe the concept of species.
Directions: Read the conversation between the two students below. Answer the
guide questions that follow. (10pts.)

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 Oh sure! Our topic
Hey Anna! It is good to
yesterday was all about
see that you are doing
species.
better now. You have
missed a lot.
Hi Tim! Thank you.
Actually I am looking
Sure! Species is a group of
for you. Can you tell living organisms consisting of
me what was our topic similar individuals capable of
in science yesterday? exchanging genes or
interbreeding. Meaning these
Can you tell me more organisms are capable of
about species? reproducing their own kind.
Examples of species are humans,
cats, dogs, and rice plant.
I see! Even us humans
are species because we
can reproduce our own Yes! Scientists also developed
kind. binomial nomenclature to
name species. It consists of
genus name and species
Is that all we need to do?
name for example Gallus
gallus for chicken. By the
way Anna, Mrs. Cruz gave as
an assignment yesterday. All
I got it Tim! I will write
you have to do is to list
it as we arrive at
different species you can find
school. Thank you so
in our community.
much Tim! I have
learned a lot today.
You will also give its
Let’s go and I will treat common name and explain
you some snacks for why you chose those
teaching me. species.

Guide Questions: https://bit.ly/3pwepDG

1. What is a species?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. List down different species mentioned above.
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Can a duck reproduce when paired with a chicken? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. If you were Anna, what examples of species are you going to give? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. What do scientists use to name species? _______________________________________

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 Activity 2
Biodiversity at Three Levels
Objective: Identify the levels of biodiversity as the basis for classifying organism
and present examples for each.
Directions: Read the selection below about the levels of biodiversity. Identify the
following by writing SD for Species Diversity, GD for Genetic Diversity, and ED
for Ecosystem Diversity. (10pts.)
Types of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of living things on Earth. It consists of three
levels including species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity.
Species diversity is the variety of species in a
particular region (e.g. a plant or animal). These are
organisms whose members share a set of common features.
Normally members of one species do not breed with
members of another species. For example, a yellow-fin tuna
is a species, and it cannot breed with a skip-jack tuna as
they are different species. Examples of endemic species that
can be found in the Philippines are Philippine eagle,
tamaraw, tarsier, Visayan warty pig, narra tree, and
Philippine jade vine. https://tinyurl.com/382bwm2x
Ecosystem diversity refers to a
community of living things that interact with each
other and with the environment around them.
Examples of physical environment are rainforests,
deserts, coral reefs, grassland, and mangroves.
https://tinyurl.com/29swdzfe
Genetic diversity refers to a variety of genes
within a species. It increases the chances of survival
during changing environmental conditions or during the
outbreak of disease. In humans a person’s skin color, hair
color, dimples, freckles, and blood type are all examples of
genetic variations. Other examples of this in plants
include modified leaves of carnivorous plants and the
development of flowers that resemble insects to lure plant
pollinators. Albinism, cheetahs with stripes, snakes that
fly, animals that play dead, and animals that mimic leaves
https://tinyurl.com/ymprr7bm
are all examples of this.

Levels of Biodiversity
1. Animals that mimic leaves 6. Philippine eagle
2. Visayan warty pig 7. Tamaraw
3. Mangroves 8. Rainforests
4. Coral reefs 9. Tarsier
5. Humans with different skin 10. Plants that develop flowers
colors which resemble insects to lure
pollinators

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 Activity 3
Where do I belong?
Objective: Identify the different levels in the hierarchical taxonomic system.
Directions: Below is a table of human and plant classification. Complete the table
by filling in the different taxonomic ranks or categories on the second column.
Answer the questions that follow. (15pts.)

Hierarchical Taxonomic System

Carolus Linnaeus is considered as the “Father of
modern taxonomy” who developed the hierarchical taxonomic
system. He used it to classify and organize living organisms. It
consists of different categories or ranks including the largest to
the smallest. The largest category is domain that is divided into
different kingdoms. Each kingdom includes various phyla
(sing. phylum) divided into different classes. A class consists of
various orders that include different families. A family divided
into different genera (sing. genus) which consist of various
species. https://tinyurl.com/fsdyrh5s

Scientific names are also given for organisms that are already identified.
Scientists came up with this binomial system of classification to organize and
classify living organisms. It consists of two names including the genus and species
name Canis familiaris the scientific name of dog and Felis catus the scientific name
of cat. Bear in mind that scientific names are in Latin language and are
italicized. The genus name always starts with a capital letter followed by
species name that is written in small letter.
Before, organisms were organized into two groups including eukaryotes and
prokaryotes. Eukaryotes are multicellular organisms while prokaryotes are
unicellular organisms hence, are referred to as microorganisms. Scientists
developed the three-domain system including archaea that consists of
prokaryotic organisms whose cells do not have a nucleus or complex organelles,
bacteria which consist of unicellular life forms whose cells do not have nucleus
and are also missing some of the organelles, and eukarya consists of multicellular
organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear memberane.

Human Taxonomic Ranks Sunflower

Eukarya Eukarya
Animalia Plantae
Chordata Magnoliophyta
Mammalia Magnoliopsida
Primate Asterales
Hominidae Asteraceae
Homo Helianthus
sapiens annuus
Human Common Name Sunfllower

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Guide Questions:

1. Based on the table above, which taxonomic rank is common to both plants and
animals? ______________________________________________________________________
2. Which kingdom does a human belong? ________________________________________
3. What genus does a sunflower belong to? _______________________________________
4. What is the scientific name for human? ________________________________________
5. How do scientists name the organisms? ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
6. How does Carolus Linnaeus classify living organisms? __________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4
Kingdoms of Life
Objective: Make a concept map to classify organisms using the hierarchical system
with examples in each kingdom and economic importance.
Part I. Directions: Read the selection below. Complete the table by supplying the
needed information in each column. The first kingdom serves as an example.
(15pts.)
The system of biological kingdoms is the way in which science classifies living
things according to their ancestry over the course of evolution. All species in a
particular kingdom have similar characteristics in terms of their growth and the
way they function.
Animal kingdom is the most evolved and is divided into
two large groups – vertebrates and invertebrates. This
kingdom is one of the most diverse and comprises
mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects,
mollusks, and annelids. Animals are very important in
various chemical cycles in the environment. https://bit.ly/3v6aWz4

Plant kingdom is immobile, multicellular and

eukaryotic nature. These autotrophic things such as
trees, shrubs and herbs, whose cells contain cellulose
and chlorophyll, are essential for life on Earth since
they release oxygen through photosynthesis.
https://bit.ly/3tHQjsH

Fungi kingdom includes yeast, molds, and all species

of mushrooms and toadstools are necessary for
decomposing dead materials hence, they continue the
cycle of nutrients through ecosystem.
https://bit.ly/3aoD5tl
Protista kingdom is the most primitive of the
eukaryotic including amoeba, algae, paramecium and
diatoms. They produce almost one-half of the oxygen on
the planet through photosynthesis and decompose and
recycle nutrients that humans need to live.
https://bit.ly/3v5Ds3S

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 Archaebacteria kingdom is the oldest living organism
on Earth and found in a diverse range of extreme
environment. It includes thermophiles, acidophiles and
halophiles. These organisms break down organic matter,
clean up environment when there is a petroleum spill, and
it helps in the production of antibiotics and biogas. https://bit.ly/2QHESmb

Eubacteria kingdom has a lipid-containing cell

membrane made from glycerol ester lipids and
characterized by lack of nuclear membrane. E. Coli,
cyanobacteria, proteobacteria, chlamydias and
spirochetes are examples of this. Production of cheese,
vinegar and yogurt is one of importance of eubacteria. It
helps in agriculture for the compost and fertilizer
production. Some eubacteria are
pathogens (organisms that cause sickness) such as
streptococcus and salmonella.
https://bit.ly/3xegVnh
Source: shorturl.at/tHNR5

Kingdoms Descriptions Economic Examples

Importance
Ex. Animal most diverse and evolved mammals, fish,
kingdom which is divided important in various birds, reptiles,
into two large groups the chemical cycles in amphibians,
vertebrates and the environment insects, mollusks,
invertebrates annelids, and etc.
Plant
Fungi
Protista
Archaebacteria
Eubacteria

Part II. Directions: Using the filled-out table in Part I, make your own concept
map showing the five kingdoms with descriptions, importance, and examples for
each. (15 pts.)

Concept Map Rubrics

Criteria Score
Well organized
(3 pts.)
Content (6 pts.)
Connection
(6 pts.)
Total Score

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 Remember
 There three levels of biodiversity including species diversity, genetic
diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
 Carolus Linnaeus, considered as the “father of modern taxonomy”
developed the hierarchical taxonomic system. He used it to classify and
organize living organisms.
 Hierarchical taxonomic system includes domain, kingdom, phylum, class,
order, family, genus, and species. The domain is the largest category while
the species is the smallest category of taxonomic rank.
 Scientists used the binomial system of classification to name organisms.
It consists of two parts; the genus and species name (e.g. Hibiscus
rosasinensis) scientific name of gumamela flower.
 The domain is subdivided into five different kingdoms including animal,
plant, fungi, protista, archaebacteria, and eubacteria.

Check Your Understanding

Directions: Modified TRUE or FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and if
FALSE, change the underlined words to make the statement correct.

______________ 1. Kingdom is the largest category of classification of organisms.

______________ 2. Species diversity refers to a community of living things that

interact with each other and with the environment around
them.
______________ 3. Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms hence referred as
microorganisms.
______________ 4. Domain is the basic unit of organisms with common
characteristics and is capable of reproducing their own kind.
______________ 5. Scientists use the binomial system of classification to name
organisms.
______________ 6. Gregor Mendel developed the hierarchical taxonomic system to
organize and classify organisms.
______________ 7. Animal kingdom produces oxygen through photosynthesis and
decomposes and recycles nutrients that humans need to live.
______________ 8. Ecosystem diversity refers to a variety of genes within a
species.
______________ 9. Scientific names of organisms consist of two parts: genus and
species name.
______________ 10. The domain is subdivided into six different kingdoms including
animal, plant, fungi, protista, archaebacteria, and eubacteria.

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 Post-Test
Directions: Read and understand the questions carefully. Write the letter of the
correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. What do scientists use to name organisms?

A. Binomial Nomenclature C. Binomial Theorem
B. Binomial Taxonomic Rank D. Two Name System
2. The scientific name for goat is Capra hircus. What is its species name?
A. Bovidae C. Chordata
B. Capra D. Hircus
3. Which of the following groups consists of organisms that are capable of
surviving extreme environments?
A. Archaebacteria C. Fungi
B. Eubacteria D. Protista
4. How does Protist help economy?
A. It decomposes and recycles nutrients
B. It helps in food chain
C. It helps in producing fertilizers
D. It produces one-half of oxygen that every living thing needs
5. The following show the importance of Taxonomic Hierarchy System
EXCEPT?
A. It helps us categorize the organisms
B. It helps scientists find both the group in a larger and smaller scale of
life
C. It helps humans in their everyday life
D. It helps scientists organize the diversity of life

Reflection
Directions: Write a reflective learning about this module through completing the
statements below.

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