Do I have the CHARACTERISTICS to EXIST?
Since I was born in this puzzling world, I witnessed many things around me. The sun as it provides light to the plants and as the plants grow in size and develop its parts. I've also witnessed the increasing population of my country and of hoe my dog reproduce its kind. As I touched the makahiya plant along our garage, the plant responded as if it was shy like a human nature. When I watched television, the animals in south pole able to to adapt the changing weather and climate. With these things, I began to question myself. Are these the characteristics to exist?
Well, maybe it's time to answer my questions. How does the sun help me? The sun as it provides bright lights on my face everyday. It energizes my whole body and keeps me doing my whole day activity. Oh yeah! I got the first characteristic. I'll be comparing myself in to a plant, indeed I grow in size and truly develop different parts of my body. Not only physical but also the physiological make-up of my body. I got another characteristics.
I am not a dog, but with my studies I can say that I can reproduce my own kind. As my father and mother produces us. I have this capability also, but I'm not in a hurry. Reproducing it;s own kind is like asexual and sexual reproduction. But human involves in sexual reproduction wherein the sperm and egg cell unites, and I consider myself as a human. Yes! I got another one! With the responsiveness of makahiya plant, maybe I do have also the so-called responsiveness. As the ants bite us, we respond to its painful activity, thus making our skin reddish in color. Another thing is I respond to different factors which are light, temperature, etc. This is great! I have this characteristic.
The animals in south pole are awesome! With different climates and weather they can adapt to the changing environment. This is also true in me, but in different circumstances. When I'm going to travel in a certain place I can adapt the differing culture, traditions and on how they see things. In school also, I can adapt and go with the flow on the individual differences of my classmates and the attitudes of different teachers. Aha! I got this one!
I got all the characteristics, and I think these characteristics determine my existence. With these characteristics, I consider my self as a living organism and has life. And this means that I have the CHARACTERISTICS to EXIST.
How about you? Do you have the CHARACTERISTICS to EXIST?
-Precious Chris H. Abellar
ADAPTATION
It is a term used to describe the ways in which organism change over time in response to changing demands of their environment. An adaptation is a way an animal's body helps it survive, or live, in its environment. The grasping hands of primates, the sensitive antennae of insects, and the flowers and fruits of plants are all forms of adaptation that promote survival, reproduction, or both. In the other word, adaptation is talking about how the animals survive in their environment.
Most living things need food, air, water and space but in some places water in insufficient. If we hike in a desert, we can carry a water supply. But how do plants and animals get water in dry places? The dry, sandy desert gets little rain. I find a desert is very comfortable place to live but many living things or organisms are found in the desert. Other plants are adapted to desert life and some have waxy coating on their leaves. According to botanist, the waxy coatings help keep moisture inside the leaves. Some plants die during dry times, but their seeds remain alive in the ground. When the rains come, the seeds sprout and grow into plants. On the other hand, the desert animals such as some lizards, snakes, spiders, camel and scorpions are adapted to desert’s heat and dryness. During the day these animals avoid the sun’s heat by staying under the ground or in the shade. At the night they come out to hunt for food. At dawn they return to their shelters. Drinking water is insufficient in the desert. Most desert animals get water from the food they eat. How unique they are!
All of us like to swim and play in water but we cannot live in water as fish do. We cannot get oxygen, find food or move about underwater for long periods of time. I remember when I was a child, there’s a pond near in our house and I like waded to a muddy pond to look for a tadpole. I suddenly puzzled my mind on how these organisms adapted to life in fresh water. When our teacher asks us to think an animal that live in fresh water we probably think of fish. According to zoologist, the body of the fish slips easily through the water. Their fins and tail help the fish stop, turn and move. A fish cannot breathe in air as we do. Instead, they have gills that take oxygen from water.
As a human, our basic needs are food, shelter, and clothes in order to survive. And to adapt the cultures of society that were living. We also need to socialize other people. On the other hand, In my 19 years of existence I can say that what I am now is because of the person that shows me their concern, care and love, those person that reminds me that I’m not perfect and also those person who always cheer me up when I’m down. I adapt certain attitude because of where and whom I grown up. My parents teach me on how to respect others, be a God-fearing, and how to possess good values. Indeed, adaptation helps living things to survive in the environment.
-Marell O. Regidor
CELLULAR ORGANIZATION
All organisms are made up of a unique functional structure. Cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, capable of maintaining and reproducing life. All cells are divided into two types; prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic cell. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms with neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized structures. Archaebacteria and eubacteria are included in the prokaryotes family. Eukaryotes on the other hand are organisms consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus. Eukaryote includes protista, fungi, animals and plants.
More recently, "archaebacteria" have been placed in a category outside "bacteria", because they are quite different from the ordinary bacteria. According to the new classification, prokaryotes are divided into archaea and bacteria, where "archaea" is equivalent to "archaebacteria", and "bacteria" is the same as "eubacteria".
Archaea was originally thought to be just like archaebacteria, but archaea is a much different and simpler form of life. It may also be the oldest form of life on Earth! Archaea requires sunlight for photosynthesis as do plants, or oxygen. Archaea absorbs CO2, N2, or H2S and gives off methane gas as a waste product the same way humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Artchaea may also be organized into three groups; Methanogens, Extreme halophiles, and Extreme thermophiles. Metahnogens is a microorganism that produces methane as a byproduct of its metabolism. All known methanogens are both archaeans and obligate anaerobes that is they cannot live in the presence of oxygen. They are commonly found in wetlands, where they generate methane in the form of marsh gas, and in the guts of animals such as ruminants and humans, where they are responsible for flatulence. Extreme halophiles thrive in areas with high salinity, which one might have a priori believed to rule out any life form: lakes or seas with salinity as high as 300 grams per liter. Extreme thermophiles are organisms with an optimum growth temperature of 50 °C or more, a maximum of up to 70 °C or more, and a minimum of about 40 degrees C, but these are only approximate. Some extreme thermophiles (hyperthermophiles) require a very high temperature (80 °C to 105 °C) for growth. Their membranes and proteins are unusually stable at these extremely high temperatures. Thus many important biotechnological processes utilize thermophilic enzymes because of their ability to withstand intense heat.
Moreover eukaryotes which are composed of protista, fungi, plants and animals have its distinct characteristics. Protista are mostly unicellular but some can be multicellular or colonial organisms’ also. They can be free living or parasites. They have aerobic mode of respiration and have mitochondria for cellular respiration. They are true eukaryotes and are nucleated. They have (9+2) arrangement of flagella and have membranous organelles. They can reproduce sexually (syngamy) or asexually. They are grouped into 3 categories: animal like (protozoa), fungus like and plant-like. According to the categories, they have different modes of nutrition, like heterotrophy or autotropohy. Plant-like protists (algae) have chlorophyll and accessory pigments, like xanthophylls, phycobilins and carotene. Fungi are a kingdom of eukaryotic (their cells have nuclei) organisms. Other examples of biological kingdoms include Plantae, the plants, and Animalia, the animals. Common fungi include mushrooms, yeasts, and molds. Fungi are essential in decomposing dead organic matter in the soil, and without them, biological refuse would take much longer to degrade, making it difficult for the next generation of organisms to utilize the essential elements therein. Although fungi may look like plants, they are in fact more closely related to animals. The key characteristic of fungi which sets them apart from other organisms is their chitinous cell walls. This durable material, chitin, also makes up the shells of many insects. Fungi tend to grow in filamentous structures known as mycelium, and reproduce either sexually or asexually via spores. In mushrooms, the spores are visible as black dust underneath the cap. Plants are alive, just like people and animals. How do we know this? Living things all do certain things:They grow and die. They need energy, nutrients, air, and water. They produce young. They are made up of cells. They react to what's around them. Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and independently. All animals are also heterotrophs, meaning they must ingest other organisms for sustenance.
Cells are made up of some basic components: Cytoplasm, Plasma membrane, and DNA.
Cytoplasm is the viscous contents of a cell, including proteins, ribosomes, metabolites and ions. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. Plasma membrane is the cell membrane surrounding cytoplasm. It consists of phospholipid bilayer, associated proteins and carbohydrates. Phospholipid bilayer is also the basic constituent of other biomembranes. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material. An eukaryotic cell contains several DNA molecules, located in the nucleus and mitochondria which are membrane-bound organelles. A prokaryotic cell contains a single DNA molecule, which has no specific boundary with the cytoplasm.
“Cells are us”. We are made up of cells which is one of the reason why we live and and able to reproduce our kind. Normal function of cells depends on normal function of the many structures inside cells that help cells survive. When our cells are healthy, we are healthy. When our cells are sick, we are sick. Sick cells reflect disease. Cells do not work as well as they get older. Cells are damaged by disease and "wear and tear" of living. Then, we need to take care of our cells to have a healthy living.
-Ms. April Mae Plastico
REPRODUCTION
Living in this world with vast number of species that is spread in different location, condition, condition, and situation of living, I may say that the person behind this creation is really great that all of them are in a systematic manner. But the great question that any living may be asked is how the population of different species overlap, maintained to its average number or in the worst possibility is the reduction in number that leads to the total extinction. According to the famous naturalist Charles Darwin written on his book, “Origin of the Species in Natural Selection”, the species that will be able to multiply themselves and maintain their gene pool, means the survival of the population. Survival of the fittest is the main concept of his theory in one way another should adopt in the abrupt changes in the environment.
This context of survival drives my head into bunch of wonders, but with just looking in a simple way, I have found out the answer for it. Reproduction is what we call it. As defined by Wikipedia;
Reproduction (or procreation) is the biological process by which new "offspring" individual organisms are produced from their "parents". Reproduction is a fundamental feature of all known life; each individual organism exists as the result of reproduction.
The species that able to reproduce shows a significant percentage of survival. To live and survive mainly the essence of every living species and reproduction is a key to keep the population. In some cases especially with our present economic situation, reproducing has been a threat to many nations; the main reason is that the environment could not sustain the needs of the generation of species. Indeed food and energy scarcity is now one of the great problems that many nation faces around the globe, and the only solution that they know is to minimize the reproduction of new offspring of human being here on earth.
Based on the past records, the reproduction of many species in our planet is stable, not until when population of humans suddenly rises and already affecting the population of other species to the extent that leads to extinction. On e great example of this is the extinction of Dodo birds, a flightless bird endemic to the Indian island of Mauritus. The dodo has been extinctsince the mid-to-late 17th century. It is commonly used as the archetype of an extinct species because its extinction occurred during recorded human history and was directly attributable to human activity. They believe that the eggs of these birds as well as the species itself is been eaten by the sailors that stayed in the island and that makes it difficult to reproduce which eventually brought them to total extinction of the said birds, today only in the fossils are the only evidence that they have thrived in this world. The case of the Dodo birds simply proves how important reproduction for all the living in our planet.
Reproduction maybe a great key to maintain the population away from extinction but in some extent it may lead to a devastating pest to other species. Like the swarm of locust that destroying many crops and spreading diseases to many people since the ancient time. Insects are well known to reproduce in a great number, in thousands or even millions that leads to consider them pest for other species, but for these species, reproduction is their best asset to ensure the survival of their own. We may consider them a pest, but we can’t still deny the fact that they are ensuring their species population to be maintained till the next generation of their own many thousands and millions of years may pass.
As a pest because of great number or just like any other species living in harmony, still the main concept is to reproduce and multiply their own like is already in their systems, since the day they first appeared in the world. To live means to reproduce and survive, incapability of doing such may lead to the danger of extinction. This quest for survival will continue as long as there is still a living planet we call, Earth.
-Mr. Reymart Ordez
ENERGY REQUIREMENT
One of the characteristics of life is the energy requirement. It refers to the amount of food needed to balance energy expenditure in order to maintain body size, body composition and a level of necessary and desirable physical activity content with long-term good health. Often, we are aware of the food we intakes to achieve the appropriate energy requirement. To satisfy this requirement, we must follow the recommendations for dietary energy intake from food that contains vitamins and other biomolecules essential to our body. Carbohydrate serves as the primary energy source. The energy value of rice, wheat corn, potatoes and oats comes from the starch in them. Many of the food that people enjoy most contain sugars and starches. Another is the lipids that used for energy storage and insulation. The excess carbohydrates convert to fats as away to efficiently store energy for long periods. Proteins also are essential to all organisms. The muscles made of protein enable us to move. Some hold our body together and gives strength, flexibility and shape our skin. These biomolecules satisfy the demands of society and the environment as well as all other energy-demanding activities that fulfill individual needs. Thus going to school is involuntary energy requirements as we use energy to cope up and cooperate in school activities, response to daily requirements, doing our daily routines using energy. Without energy we can’t do anything.
Furthermore, it is indeed necessary to maintain energy balance because the low and high adjustments of energy intakes may sometimes lead to biological and behavioral consequences. This include excessive accumulation of body fat, increases risk of diseases, lack of confidence, physical and mental hesitations and physical or social limitations in doing or performing certain activities and tasks.
According to research, there are some energy components of energy requirements. These are basal smetabolism; metabolic response to food; physical activity; growth and development, pregnancy and lactation, these components are utilizing energy. Basal metabolism comprises a series of functions that are essential for life, such as cell function and replacement; the synthesis; secretion and metabolism of enzymes and hormones to transport proteins and other substances and molecules; maintaining body temperature; uninterrupted work of cardiac and respiratory muscle; and brain functions. Metabolic response to food refers to metabolic processes that increase heat production and oxygen consumption. Human perform obligatory in the sense that it include daily activities such as daily routines, going to school, doing household chores and another demands in social and cultural environments.
On the other hands, optional activities include practice of physical activity for fitness and health; the performance of optional household task that may contribute to family comfort and well-being; and engagement in individually and socially desirable activities for personal enjoyment, social interaction and community development. The other component is growth and development. The energy needed to synthesize and deposited in growing tissues. In pregnancy, extra energy is needed for the development of fetus, placenta and various maternal tissues, such as the uterus, breast and fat stores. And lastly for lactation, well-nourished lactating women can derive past of this additional requirement from the body fat stores accumulated during pregnancy.
These components of energy requirements help us in maintaining energy balance that we apply to respond to our environment. And thus, we must be being wise and responsible in doing so. Putting ourselves into discipline will be a great help to minimize uncertainties that may happen. Healthy habit and proper usage of energy will boost our confidence and will determines our personality.
-Ms. Irene Panes
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Have you ever seen a caterpillar “magically” change into a butterfly? Have you ever planted a young tree in your backyard and then, as time went by, noticed that it was much bigger than you remembered it? Did you ever have a cute little puppy and watch it grow into big, strong dog in just six months? Have you ever looked in old family photos and seen how your parents changed through the years-from tiny babies to children, teenagers, and then adults? All living things-from insects to trees to animals to people-have their own life story. Each one goes through a life cycle in which great living -changes occur through growth and development.
At some point in their life cycle, living things may reproduce- have babies that will go through the same process of growth and development as their parents. They form a population that can grow and develop too.
Many people think that growth and development mean the same thing. Actually, though, growth simply refers to getting bigger. The development of living things is a process. It may include growth, but it also includes a series of change in shape or form. For instance, as a Labrador puppy grows into a dog, it gets much larger. But it also changes. Its face gets longer, changing from the rounded puppy shape to the pointed muzzle of the dog. Its legs get longer too, and its body grows much faster than its head. Development also includes internal changes that cause the puppy to get stronger, better coordinated, and smarter as it grows into a dog.
From the moment you are born, your body continually goes through changes. These changes happen over many, many years. However, the most dramatic changes in your life happened over a very short period of time, and they actually occurred before you were born. You started out a single cell. By the time you were born, your body contained trillions of cells. In the nine months from when you are conceived until you were born, your body increase about 10 billion times in size.
After babies are born, they still grow fairly rapidly. During their first year, babies usually triple their weight and add about 50% in height. In the following years, however, children grow more slowly. Most kids gain an average of 5 to 6 pound (2.3 to 2.7 kg.) and grow 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm.) a year. This changes when they become teenagers. During adolescence most kids have a sudden growth spurt, growing as much 7 inches (17 cm.) in a year. After that, growth slows down again, and once they are fully mature, growth will stop entirely. Changes in their body and mind will continue, though, for the rest of their lives.
From the moment you are born until the day you die, your body continually changes. In fact each living things- from grass and trees to insects and people- goes through a life cycle in which great changes occur through growth and development. Many well-known science writers explain how cells divide and multiply, how humans develop from a single cell to an adult, and how other animals and plants grow. They also revealed current research showing how through science we can improve growth and development processes in the future.
-Dinneth Mae S. Padernal
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