Earth is capable of supporting life, unlike many other planets because (1 point) Responses Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere help maintain the conditions
necessary for life. The planet's atmosphere provides a protective layer that shields the surface from harmful radiation and regulates temperature. Additionally, Earth's hydrosphere, including bodies of water, plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable climate and providing essential resources for life to thrive.
necessary for life.
1. The hydrosphere: Earth has a unique feature called the hydrosphere, which includes all the water on the planet's surface, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. This abundance of water is crucial for life as we know it. It provides a habitat for many organisms and is essential for various biochemical processes.
2. The atmosphere: Earth's atmosphere consists of a mixture of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. This composition is ideal for life to thrive. Oxygen, in particular, is essential for aerobic respiration, a process in which organisms convert nutrients into energy. Many organisms, including humans, depend on this process to survive.
3. Temperature regulation: Earth's atmosphere helps regulate the planet's temperature through the greenhouse effect. This effect allows sunlight to penetrate the atmosphere, warming the planet, while trapping some of the heat to maintain a stable temperature. This stable temperature range is critical for supporting life.
4. Protection from harmful radiation: The Earth's atmosphere also shields the planet from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun. UV radiation can damage DNA and other biological molecules, causing harm to living organisms. The ozone layer in the atmosphere acts as a protective shield against most of the harmful UV radiation.
5. Water cycle: The presence of water on Earth allows for the water cycle, where water evaporates from bodies of water, condenses in the atmosphere, and falls back to the surface as precipitation. This cycle helps distribute water resources across the planet, providing essential resources for various ecosystems and human civilization.
Overall, the combined effects of Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere create the necessary conditions for life to exist and thrive.
to support life. The hydrosphere, which includes all the water on Earth, plays a crucial role in regulating temperature and providing the necessary conditions for life to thrive.
To understand why Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere help maintain conditions suitable for life, we need to consider a few factors:
1. Importance of water: Water is vital for life as we know it. It interacts with the atmosphere through evaporation and condensation processes, which help regulate temperature and distribute heat across the planet. Water also supports diverse ecosystems and acts as a medium for chemical reactions necessary for life.
2. Atmosphere composition: Earth's atmosphere is predominantly composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%) along with trace amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and argon. This mixture of gases provides the necessary conditions for life to exist. Oxygen supports respiration in animals and allows for the burning of fuels, while carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis in plants.
3. Greenhouse effect: The presence of certain gases, like carbon dioxide and water vapor, in Earth's atmosphere allows for the greenhouse effect. This effect traps heat from the Sun, preventing it from escaping back into space and maintaining a relatively stable temperature on Earth. Without this greenhouse effect, Earth would be much colder, making it less conducive to supporting life.
4. Protection from solar radiation: The atmosphere serves as a shield against harmful solar radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) rays, by absorbing or reflecting them. This protective layer helps shield living organisms from the harmful effects of excessive radiation, reducing the likelihood of DNA damage and other health risks.
In summary, Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere work together to provide the necessary conditions for life to flourish. The hydrosphere regulates temperature, supports diverse ecosystems, and allows for vital chemical reactions. The atmosphere composition, greenhouse effect, and protection from solar radiation further contribute to creating a habitable environment on Earth.