Earth as a habitable planet

1. Earth and Earth Systems
Characteristics of the Earth that are
Necessary to Support Life

2. • Identify the factors that allow a
planet to support life.
• Describe how these factors are
necessary to support life.

3. vGroup yourselves into 5 different groups.
vFrom the “Pick and Play” box, pick a
factor which makes a planet habitable.
vCreate a skit which will last for a
maximum of three minutes about what
will possibly happen if that given factor
is absent on this planet.
vSelect a group reporter which will give a
short discussion regarding your skit
after your three minute presentation.

4. Creativity Showed ability to
generate new ideas.
30%
Content Ideas that are held
or included in the
presentation is in
congruence with
the topic.
30%
Presentation Presents
information in
logical, interesting
sequence which
the audience follow.
30%
Collaboration All group members
participate equally.
10%
Total 100%

5. Guide Questions:
• What is the importance of
the given factor in your
group?
• How does this factor help
make the earth habitable?

6. What makes the planet
Earth habitable?

7. Factor that make
the Earth
Habitable
1. Temperature
Not Enough of
the Factor
- Causes
chemicals to
react slowly.
- Freeze water.
Making water
unavailable
Just Right
- Life seems
limited in a
temperature
range of minus
15 ◦C to 115
◦C .
- Liquid can still
exist under
certain
conditions.
Too much of the
factor
- At about
125◦C ,protein,
carbohydrates,
and genetic
materials start
to break apart.
- Quickly
evaporate
water.
Situation in the
Solar System
- Only the Earths
surface is in this
temperature
range.

8. Factor that
makes the Earth
Habitable
2. Water
Not Enough of
the Factor
- Chemicals that
the cell needs
for energy and
growth are not
dissolved or
transported.
Just Right
- Life can go
dormant
between wet
periods, but,
eventually,
water needs to
be available.
Too Much of the
Factor
- Too much
water is not a
problem as long
as it is not so
toxic that it
interferes with
the chemistry of
life.
Situation in the
Solar System
- Only Earth’s
surface has
water.

10. Factors that
make the Earth
Habitable
3. Atmosphere
Not Enough of
the Factor
- Gas molecules
escape to space,
leaving the
planet without
an insulating
blanket or a
protective shield.
Just Right
- Keeps the
surface warm
and protects the
planet from
radiation and
small to medium
sized meteorites.
Too much of the
Factor
- Traps
greenhouse
gasses, making
the surface too
hot for life.
Situation in the
Solar System
- Earth is one
example of a
planet in the
system which has
a significant
atmosphere for
insulation and
shielding.

12. Factors that
make Earth
Habitable
4. Energy
Not Enough of
the Factor
- No energy
source for the
cell.
Just Right
- With steady
input, cells
can run the
chemical
reactions
necessary for
life.
Too much of the
Factor
- Light energy
is a problem
if it makes the
planet too
hot or if there
are too many
harmful rays.
Situation in the
Solar System
- With it’s
atmosphere
the planet
Earth gets a
steady input
of light and
chemical
energy.

13. Factors that
make the Earth
Habitable
5. Nutrients
Not enough of
the Factor
- Planets
without
systems to
deliver
nutrients to
its organisms
cannot
support life.
Just Right
- Those with a
water cycle or
volcanic activity
can transport
and replenish
the chemicals
required by a
living organism.
Too much of the
Factor
- Too active
circulation
system
interferes with
an organism’s
ability to get
enough
nutrients.
Situation in the
Solar System
- Earth has a
water cycle,
an
atmosphere,
and
volcanoes to
circulate
nutrients.

15. qWhat are the factors which
helps make a planet habitable?
qWould it still be possible to live
when one factor goes missing?