CONCLUSION

The study of both Geology and Biology is very important. Geology is the study of everything about the place we live in, the Earth; while Biology lets us understand the human anatomy, as well as everything about the living things around us.

The creation of this portfolio has been a valuable experience. I have always liked studying Biology, so it's not hard for me to enjoy the Biology concepts. Geology, on the other hand, is another story. But, creating this portfolio made me appreciate Geology. I not only get to learn about the different concepts of Geology and Biology, but I also get to enjoy them by doing various activities from the modules and study guides.

SPECIES DIVERSITY

[c] KCLF

Biodiversity is the diversity of living organisms. Each species adapts to its niche, and this allows the species to reproduce and sustain its population. A species interacts with the environment, and this interaction, as well as the system, make the balance. An imbalance happens when many other species are affected by the loss of one species.

There are various human activities that reduce species diversity. One among the many threats to diversity is urbanization. In line with urbanization are habitat alteration and pollution.

Our city is located on the slopes of a mountain range. Large areas surrounding our subdivision are empty lands covered in trees. But to make room for new subdivision and villages, and to build more houses, these trees were cut and burned down. There is also an increase in population which becomes a major cause of pollution. This is a main threat to diversity, causes a huge loss of species. and creates imbalance.

Loss of species impacts our lives, and so we must take care of diversity. If we do that, it is going to be a win-win situation.

References:
http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/bio-eng/boxes/specdiv.html
http://redpath-museum.mcgill.ca/Qbp/3.Conservation/impacts.htm#2.2.5

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

We may or may not be aware of this, but human activities are huge threats to the habitats of many animals and plants. In our area, one specific activity that has resulted in near/complete eradication of plant species is the 'kaingin', or the slashing and burning down of trees. Lands nearby are empty, but to create more villages, trees had to be cut and burned down.

I have taken this photo a few years back. As you can see, although larger parts of the mountain range are still covered with trees, a huge chunk is already bald. This has to be done for urbanization, but it's saddening all the same.

THE DIFFERENT LIFE FORMS

[c] KCLF

Our busy street is full of different life forms. You'll see people passing by, animals such as cats and dogs wandering or being strolled around by their owners; various kinds of plants, big or small (in front of our house is a big santol tree); and if you keep looking, you'll see insects such as ants or bugs.

All living organisms and species are divided into five kingdoms - Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Classifying all the mentioned life forms above, humans, the cats, dogs, ants and bugs belong to Kingdom Animalia, while all plants belong to Kingdom Plantae. Fungi grow on almost anything, and they can be found on rocks, or on tree branches; Protozoans under Kingdom Protista can be found in moist and watery environments such as on the canals; and species under the Kingdom Monera, even though we can't see them, are surely found anywhere.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS

Asexual reproduction in plants has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that there is no need for a mate and yet asexual reproduction lets plants produce large number of offspring.

Disadvantages to this type of reproduction includes lack of diversity since all offspring will be identical, and easy extinction since a predator who can take a species down can take out the whole population. Furthermore, offspring in this kind of reproduction cannot adapt to environment because of the lack of 'genetic variability'.

PLANT ANATOMY

Walking through a garden or park will let you see many livings things. From humans, to animals, to insects, and to plants. Perhaps, majority of what you will see in a garden/park are different kinds of plants. Compared to all other living things, we all know what makes them different.

A plant has leaves, stems/branches, and sometimes flowers. Some plants also have fruits. And of course, even if we can't see them, plants have roots. Below are the different parts of a plant, and their short descriptions.

ROOTS

- Absorb water and minerals from the soil
- Anchor the plant in the soil

STEMS

- Support the plant
- Get nutrients and water from the roots, and food from leaves, and transfer them to other parts of the plant

LEAVES

- Where most food is made
- Capture sunlight through photosynthesis

FLOWERS

- The reproductive part of most plants
- Contain pollen and ovules

FRUIT

- Provides covering for seeds
- Can be fleshy or hard

SEEDS

- Form in the fruit
- Contain new plants




Reference:
http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/parts.html

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

Category	Observed Characteristics
	Flu virus (virus)	Salmonella (bacteria)	Sunflower (plant)	House lizard (animal)
Made of up the same chemical substances	Nucleic acid DNA or RNA Protein coat	RNA DNA Phospholipids Polysaccharides	Carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin)	Water Protein Ash
Composed of a cell/cells	No	Yes (gram-negative)	Yes	Yes
Require water and a source of energy	No; rely on the energy within the living cell the virus has infected	Yes; inorganic compounds	Yes; from the sun	Yes; heat
Reproduce and grow	Reproduce only	Yes (binary fission)/Yes	Yes	Yes
Have limited lifespans	No	No	Yes	Yes
Respond to surroundings; homeostasis	Yes; No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Have the ability to move	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Repair injuries to themselves	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Undergo change over time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Which of the four (virus, bacteria, sunflower and house lizard) is not considered as a living thing? Give the reason for your answer.

Virus. Viruses need hosts, but until they enter a living cell, they can't do anything on their own. Without a host, they cannot reproduce.