Quiz on the Biosphere and Its Cycles

The thin layer of Earth that supports all life. It encompasses all living organisms, their environments, and their interactions.

The process by which various substances like water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen cycle through the biosphere. This includes how these substances are taken up by organisms, transformed, and released back into the environment.

The upper boundary of the biosphere is dictated by the limits of life in the atmosphere. Specifically, this boundary is defined by the ozone layer, as it protects us from harmful radiation that would prevent life from flourishing.

The lower boundary of the biosphere is marked by the Earth's crust, where life has been observed in conditions of extreme pressure and temperature. This boundary is essentially the limit of life's ability to exist in Earth's deepest layers.

The biosphere has a strong influence on the atmosphere. It regulates the composition of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, plays a key role in climate regulation, and contributes to rainfall patterns.

Organisms contribute significantly to the lithosphere (Earth's crust). They break down rocks through biological weathering, create soil, and contribute to the formation of fossil fuels.

Organisms are crucial for the natural purification of water. They filter pollutants, break down organic matter, and help maintain the quality of water resources.