Activity 1.1 Up Close with Goldilocks Factors
After reading about the 6 Goldilocks factors (including water), fill in the graphic
organizer below by describing how each of the given factors allows life on earth
to exist. Doing this task would help you review the concepts you have read and
you will come to your own understanding of these factors as you explain in your
own words.
Ready! Let’s do it!
Here are the other 5 Goldilocks factors that we will discuss to help us learn
about how our existence on Earth has been possible and comfortable because
of all the resources it offered.
1. Closeness to the sun. The Earth’s distance from the sun is 151.2 million
kilometers. This distance enabled the Earth to get the much-needed heat and
light, without which, this planet will become an ice-coated rock. The sun
generates the weather patterns, warms the waters, stirs the atmosphere, and
gives radiant energy for the plants to manufacture their own food so that
oxygen and food that organisms need will be sufficient.
2. Earth’s atmosphere. Compared to other planets, the Earth is the only
planet in the solar system with an atmosphere that can support life. Its
atmosphere contains not only oxygen (21%) that we breathe but also
other gases such as nitrogen (78%), argon (0.93%), and carbon dioxide
(0.04%) with some traces of neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen,
and water vapor. The stability of Earth’s atmosphere generally brings a
calm weather. It may rain or shine or snow but the weather will not
change quickly. Earth’s atmosphere also has ozone layer which protects
all life forms from the harmful radiation from the sun. This layer helps to
warm the planet by day and cools it at night.
3. Earth’s consistent temperature. While the average temperature of
Venus is 4620C and Mars’ is -600C, Earth’s average temperature is
150C. This temperature allows liquid water to exist and gives a stable
environment for organisms to live, grow, and even multiply. Although
some organisms may thrive in extreme temperatures, this limiting factor
poses a great threat to the existence of most organisms. Hence, it is an
advantage being in this planet with a consistent temperature that
supports life.
4. Earth’s moon. How does this help us survive? Without the moon,
Earth’s rotation would be way faster which would make our 1 day in just
4 hours. Because of the moon’s presence, the Earth is rotating at a
comfortable 24 hour-period which also stabilized the rotation on its axis.
In addition, the gravitational pull of the moon created tides and unique
marine ecosystem called intertidal zone where marine animals survive
the waves and land conditions.
5. Diversity of Life. Biodiversity creates food chains that sustain the
survival and evolution of organisms. Biodiversity and evolution are but
products of the interaction of organisms with their environment.
Organisms adapt to their available resources to survive. This is a
significant biological event as catastrophes may happen and only a few
specie of organisms could continue their generation. The adaptability of
these biodiversity made each of the species successful in maintaining the
web of life on earth.