Earth's Spheres and Atmosphere Layers

Study Notes

Lithosphere: The solid outer layer of Earth, consists of rocks and minerals.
Hydrosphere: Encompasses all water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and water vapor.
Atmosphere: A gas layer surrounding Earth, retained by gravity, crucial for sustaining life.
Biosphere: The zone of life on Earth, integrating all ecosystems.

Troposphere: Closest to Earth's surface, extends 10-15 km, weather occurs here, wider at the equator.
Stratosphere: Ranges from 15-50 km above the surface, contains the ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude.
Mesosphere: Extends from 50-80 km, characterized by decreasing temperatures with altitude.
Thermosphere: Reaches up to 80 km, temperatures can exceed 2000°C due to solar radiation.
Exosphere: The outermost layer, where atmospheric gases gradually fade into space.

Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled magma; common types include basalt and granite.
Sedimentary Rocks: Created from sediment accumulation or biological materials; examples include limestone and shale.
Metamorphic Rocks: Produced by altering existing rocks through heat and pressure; marble is a common type.

Weathering: The breakdown of rocks caused by environmental factors like rain and temperature extremes.
Erosion: The process of wearing away rocks and soil due to wind, water, or ice.
Lithification: Transformation of unconsolidated material into solid rock through processes such as compaction.

Meteorology: The study of atmospheric phenomena, key for weather forecasting.
Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions; can change rapidly.
Climate: Long-term average weather patterns in a particular region.

Nitrogen (78%): Vital for protein synthesis, primarily sourced from nitrate.
Oxygen (21%): Essential for respiration; produced by plants during photosynthesis.
Other Gases: Include trace gases critical for various ecological and atmospheric functions.

Asteroids: Rock objects varying in size, mainly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Meteoroids: Small chunks of rock or metal traveling through space.
Comets: Composed of ice and dust, with elliptical orbits around the Sun.

Solar Eclipse: Occurs when the Moon obscures the Sun as it passes between Earth and the Sun.
Lunar Eclipse: Takes place when Earth casts a shadow on the Moon during a full moon.

Cell Theory: Asserts that all living organisms are made of cells; cells are the basic units of life and arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic Cells: Simple, single-celled organisms without membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
Eukaryotic Cells: More complex cells with organelles and a nucleus (e.g., plants and animals).

Carbohydrates: Composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; serve as energy sources.
Lipids/Fats: Non-polar molecules with high solubility in non-polar solvents.
Proteins: Made from amino acids, crucial for various biological functions.
Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, essential for genetic information storage and protein synthesis.

Chloroplasts: Site of photosynthesis in plant cells, containing chlorophyll.
Mitochondrion: Known as the "powerhouse of the cell," generating energy through the breakdown of sugars.
Vacuole: Fluid-filled organelle that helps maintain cell structure.

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their environment functioning together.
Biome: A large area characterized by its climate, flora, and fauna.