Earth Science: Earth and its Subsystems

It influences how quickly atoms,
molecules or organisms move. This characteristic either slows
down chemical reaction and produces ice that makes
liquid water unavailable or cause
break down of important biological molecules. In
Earth’s condition, this characteristic is just right to support
life.

Answer explanation

It is one of the important ingredients in the
different biological processes. The absence of this will
interfere with reactions necessary for life. However, a solid
form of this will also hinder living organisms from using it.
On Earth, it has different forms. It is solid in the
two poles and liquid along the equator, which allows
living organisms to consume it.

Answer explanation

It provides significant insulation or
shielding from the sun and impact of small to medium
size meteorites.

Answer explanation

Characteristic that supports life on Earth.

Answer explanation

Earth has available energy- rich sunlight to
support life. Living organisms like plants and
photosynthetic bacteria use light as the source of their
energy. Some chemosynthetic organisms rely on
chemical energy to support various biological processes.
Earth is at right position from the sun that enables it to
harness enough amount of sunlight.

It is an essential factor used to build and
maintain organism’s body structure.

Answer explanation

Insufficient or absence of nutrients can impede synthesis of the different biological molecules. In our planet, there are
processes that recycle nutrients. Water, carbon and oxygen, phosphate and nitrogen cycles are some of the
examples. Volcanism also helps in cycling the nutrients.

1. 1. The solid part of the Earth that is composed
   of naturally occurring rocks, minerals, and other solid
   materials found on the Earth’s surface and on ocean
   floor.
   2. Includes different geologic landforms
   such as mountain and hills. It also includes
   the solid and molten interior of the Earth.

• Atmosphere

• Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

1. 1. The totality of Earth’s water, including the
   permanently frozen parts called cryosphere. All the water
   found on the different locations on Earth makes up this subsystem.

• Atmosphere

• Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

The layer of gases that surrounds and
envelopes the Earth’s surface.

• Atmosphere

• Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

The air in the atmosphere is generally composed of 78% nitrogen. 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and the remaining 0.1% is made up of different trace gases. One of the most crucial
mechanisms by which heat is transferred on Earth’s surface is through atmospheric circulation. Through the
water cycle, there is a constant exchange of heat and
moisture between the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

All life forms and even organic matter
that are found on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
geosphere.

• Atmosphere

• Geosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

Answer explanation

Once an organic matter decomposed, it
becomes part of the other spheres. The biosphere
stretches a few kilometers above the Earth’s surface from
the deepest parts of the ocean to the atmosphere.

Layers of the Atmosphere

The innermost layer where weather conditions happen. It is the closest to the ground and contains 75% of the air.