Earth Science: Characteristics of Earth Necessary to Support Life PDF

Topic: Characteristics of Earth that are Necessary to Support Life Earth has been existing 4.543 billion years. In its early formation, life was not possible because the environment did not permit it. However, as time went by, life flourished from microorganisms into a more complex organi...

Topic: Characteristics of Earth that are Necessary to Support Life Earth has been existing 4.543 billion years. In its early formation, life was not possible because the environment did not permit it. However, as time went by, life flourished from microorganisms into a more complex organism. The presence of life on Earth was made possible due to the following factors: Temperature It influences how quickly atoms, molecules or organisms move. Low temperature slows down chemical reaction and produces ice that makes liquid water unavailable. High temperature can cause break down of important biological molecules. In Earth’s condition, temperature is just right to support life. Water It is one of the important ingredients in the different biological processes. Absence of this will interfere reactions necessary for life. However, solid form of this will also hinder living organisms to use it. Water on Earth has different forms. It is solid (ice) in the two poles and liquid along the equator which allows living organisms to consume it. Atmosphere It provides significant insulation or shielding from the sun and impact of small to medium size meteorites. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) trap heat and protects our planet from freezing. Moreover, ozone (O3) layer shields the Earth’s surface from harmful UV radiation. Atmosphere also provides chemicals needed for life, such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The size of the planet and its distance from the sun affects its ability to hold significant amount of atmosphere. Earth has a right size and distance from the sun that permits it to have a right amount of atmosphere. The presence of gravity also helps in sustaining its atmosphere. Energy Earth has available energy- rich sunlight to support life. Living organisms like plants and photosynthetic bacteria use light as the source of their energy. Some chemosynthetic organisms rely on chemical energy to support various biological processes. Earth is at right position from the sun that enables it to harness enough amount of sunlight. Nutrients It is an essential factor used to build and maintain organism’s body structure. Insufficient or absence of nutrients can impede synthesis of the different biological molecules. In our planet, there are processes that recycle nutrients. Water, carbon and oxygen, phosphate and nitrogen cycles are some of the examples. Volcanism also helps in cycling the nutrients.