Questions and Answers
What temperature range limits most living organisms on Earth?
What is the primary gas produced by plants that is necessary for respiration?
Which factor contributes to Earth being able to sustain life?
How thick is Earth's atmosphere approximately?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the moon play in relation to life on Earth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant property of Earth's atmosphere regarding its composition?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is energy important for living organisms on Earth?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following conditions does NOT make Earth habitable?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary source of energy that drives processes in living organisms on Earth?
Signup and view all the answers
Which subsystems make up the Earth that interact to support life?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is water considered vital for living organisms?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'Goldilocks conditions' refer to when discussing Earth?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Earth's closed system contribute to life processes?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the distance from the Sun affect the existence of liquid water on Earth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the average water composition in adult humans by weight?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Characteristics of Earth Supporting Life
- Essential components of Earth drive the existence of life, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Earth's unique presence of liquid water covers approximately 75% of its surface, essential for sustaining life.
- Water exists in various forms: atmosphere, ground, freshwater bodies, and polar ice caps, and is critical for biological processes.
- Plant composition can be up to 90–95% water by weight, while adult humans are around 60% water.
Earth’s Unique Conditions
- Earth is described as having "Goldilocks" conditions, making it "just right" for life by being neither too hot nor too cold.
- Located third from the Sun, Earth maintains a temperature range from –88°C to 58°C, allowing liquid water to exist.
- Gravitational force retains most gases close to the surface, forming an atmosphere about 21% oxygen, crucial for respiration.
Role of the Atmosphere and the Moon
- Earth's atmosphere traps heat, protecting living organisms from the Sun's harmful rays.
- The Moon influences tides and plays a role in the navigation and migration patterns of certain species, affecting the distribution of life.
Factors Making Earth Habitable
- Temperature: Organisms thrive within a temperature range of -15°C to 115°C, with H2O remaining in liquid form essential for life.
- Water: Vital for dissolving and transporting nutrients and materials in cellular processes; Earth's unique chemical makeup supports liquid water.
- Right Atmospheric Conditions: The atmosphere traps heat, maintains the greenhouse effect, and protects against radiation via the ozone layer, spanning about 100 miles in thickness.
- Energy Supply: The Sun serves as the primary energy source for living organisms, powering essential biological processes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the essential characteristics of Earth that enable life, focusing on the biotic components such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. It also covers the interactions among Earth's subsystems: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, highlighting their crucial roles in sustaining life on the planet.