The Earth's Spheres Quiz

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What are the four subsystems that make up the Earth's spheres?

biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere

What is the function of the biosphere?

To include all living organisms on Earth

What is another term for the geosphere?

lithosphere

What percentage of water found on Earth is in the form of the ocean?

97% Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the hydrosphere?

The subsystem that contains all the water found on Earth in solid, liquid, or gaseous state Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of the atmosphere?

Gases, water vapor, and clouds in the sky Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of ground-dwelling organisms that create burrows in the ground?

Rabbits, chipmunks, moles, groundhogs, and prairie dogs. Signup and view all the answers

How do trees and plants obtain groundwater?

They take in groundwater through their root systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of groundwater?

It helps to grow food and supply drinking water for humans and animals. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how the geosphere interacts with the biosphere.

Erupting volcanoes can impact nearby life. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to anything in the path of molten lava from a volcano?

It disintegrates. Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to the organisms and animals residing near volcanoes during eruptions?

They can become disrupted. Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of the human population expanding near dormant volcanoes?

More people reside on the side of dormant volcanoes. Signup and view all the answers

In addition to humans, what other organisms and animals can be found near volcanoes?

Many other organisms and animals reside near volcanoes. Signup and view all the answers

How do the Earth's spheres interact and overlap with each other?

Each sphere plays a vital role and functions individually but also overlaps with others. The atmosphere interacts with the other spheres through weather events, the hydrosphere influences the geosphere by shaping the terrain, the geosphere interacts with the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions, and the biosphere influences the composition of the atmosphere through human activities. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how the atmosphere interacts with the hydrosphere and geosphere.

Storms in the atmosphere bring rain and larger ocean tides, which interact with the hydrosphere. The water in the hydrosphere influences the geosphere by shaping the terrain and causing flooding in some cases. Signup and view all the answers

How does the geosphere interact with the atmosphere?

The geosphere interacts with the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions. Gases trapped under the surface of the crust are released into the atmosphere along with explosive lava. Signup and view all the answers

How does the biosphere influence the composition of the atmosphere?

The biosphere influences the composition of the atmosphere through human activities, particularly by contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases that fuel climate change. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how all four spheres interact in the context of organisms.

Organisms in the biosphere require water from the hydrosphere, air from the atmosphere, and land from the geosphere to survive and thrive. The success of organisms is heavily shaped by the interactions and components of the other spheres. Signup and view all the answers

How do plants demonstrate the interaction between the biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere?

Plants, as part of the biosphere, grow in soil which is part of the geosphere. Soil is created from weathered rocks and volcanic eruptions contribute to the formation of rocks. Plants require fresh water from the hydrosphere, either from rain or absorbed from the ground, and they also need oxygen from the atmosphere for photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers