Characteristics of Earth for Life Support

Questions and Answers

It speeds up all chemical reactions regardless of conditions.

It remains constant, having no influence on life processes.

It primarily affects only the gaseous forms of water.

It slows down chemical reactions at low temperatures and can damage biological molecules at high temperatures. (correct)

Its presence in different forms allows it to be used in various biological processes. (correct)

It is not involved in any biological process.

It restricts the movement of organisms due to its solid state.

It serves only as a solid form at the poles.

It provides necessary chemicals and protects against harmful radiation. (correct)

It is solely responsible for weather patterns.

It prevents all forms of UV radiation from reaching the Earth.

It does not have any significant impact on living organisms.

An appropriate distance from the sun to maintain atmosphere and temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Primarily from sunlight and some chemosynthetic processes. Signup and view all the answers

By processes like the water and nitrogen cycles. Signup and view all the answers

It impedes the synthesis of essential biological molecules. Signup and view all the answers

It can hinder access to water needed for life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth is approximately 4.543 billion years old.
Initially, the environment was inhospitable for life; conditions changed over time allowing life to evolve from microorganisms to complex organisms.

Temperature influences the movement of atoms, molecules, and organisms.
Low temperatures result in ice formation, making liquid water unavailable; high temperatures can degrade essential biological molecules.
Earth's temperature is within the optimal range to support life.

Water is crucial for biological processes; its absence disrupts necessary life reactions.
Ice at the poles and liquid water near the equator provide diverse habitat conditions for living organisms.
Different states of water on Earth facilitate various life forms.

The atmosphere provides insulation from solar radiation and shields against meteoroids.
Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, CH4) retain heat, preventing Earth from becoming too cold; the ozone layer protects against harmful UV radiation.
Essential gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide are supplied by the atmosphere.
Earth's size and distance from the sun enable it to maintain a sufficient atmosphere; gravity assists in retaining atmospheric components.

Sunlight is the primary energy source for life on Earth, used extensively by plants and photosynthetic bacteria.
Chemosynthetic organisms depend on chemical energy for their biological processes.
Earth's optimal positioning relative to the sun allows for effective harnessing of solar energy.

Nutrients are vital for the construction and maintenance of organisms' body structures; their scarcity can limit biological molecule synthesis.
Earth has efficient nutrient cycling processes, including the water, carbon, oxygen, phosphate, and nitrogen cycles.
Volcanism contributes to nutrient cycling by replenishing essential elements.