Earth & Life Science
metamorphic rocks that forms the continents and the areas of
1.4 Explain that the Earth consists of four subsystems, across whose
boundaries matter and energy flow.
What are the four major systems of Earth?
The four major systems of Earth are: Air, Water, Land, Life. Each helps
shape the structure of the planet.
What are the subsystems biological components of the Earth
System?
The biological components of the Earth Systems are often referred to
as spheres and are subdivided into four:
 geosphere
 hydrosphere
 atmosphere
 biosphere
What is Geosphere?
Geosphere is considered that portion of the Earth system that
includes the Earth's interior, rocks and minerals, landforms and the
processes that shape the Earth's surface.
It makes up the solid portion of the Earths layer, its structure and
land.
What are the layers of the Earth?
1. Crust – has a thin layer measuring 40 km deep composed of solid
rocks and minerals. It is divided into two forms: Oceanic and
Continental Crust
Oceanic crust is the uppermost layer of the oceanic portion of a
tectonic plate.
Continental crust is the layer of igneous, sedimentary, and
shallow seabed close to their shores, known as continental shelves.
2. Mantle – It represents about 85 % of the total weight and mass of
our planet, can be found between the crust and the core.
Composition of mantle
 First 50 miles of the mantle – very hard, rigid rock
 Next 150 miles of the mantle – super-heated solid rock
 Next several hundred miles – solid sturdy rock materials.
 The mantle is divided into Upper and Lower mantle
Upper Mantle
The upper mantle extends from the crust to a depth of about 410
kilometers (255 miles). The upper mantle is mostly solid, but its more
malleable regions contribute to tectonic activity.
Lower Mantle
 The lower mantle extends from about 660 kilometers (410
miles) to about 2,700 kilometers (1,678 miles) beneath Earth’s
surface. The lower mantle is hotter and denser than the upper
mantle and transition zone.
 The lower mantle is much less ductile than the upper mantle
and transition zone. Although heat usually corresponds to
softening rocks, intense pressure keeps the lower mantle solid.
3. Core - Scientists believe that deep down inside the Earth, there’s a
huge ball of liquid and solid iron. This is the Earth’s core, and it
protects us from the dangerous radiation of space.
Outer Core – is a fluid layer about 2,300 km (1,400 mi) thick and
composed of mostly iron and nickel that lies above Earth's solid inner
core and below its mantle.
  Its outer boundary lies 2,890 km (1,800 mi) beneath Earth's
surface.
Inner Core - The Earth's inner core is the Earth's innermost part and
according to seismological studies, it has been believed to be
primarily a solid ball with a radius of about 1,220 kilometers (760
miles), which is about 70% of the Moon's radius.
 It is composed of an iron–nickel alloy and some light
elements.
What is hydrosphere?
Hydrosphere is the combined mass of water found on, under, and
above the surface of a planet, minor planet or natural satellite.
 Mostly 70% of Earth is composed of water, 97% of Earth’s
water is in the form of oceans (salty) and the rest is fresh
water (non-salty).
What is Cryosphere?
Cryosphere is the frozen part of the hydrosphere such as glaciers, ice
caps and icebergs.
What is water cycle?
The water cycle is called the hydrologic cycle. In the hydrologic cycle,
water from oceans, lakes, swamps, rivers, plants, and even you, can
turn into water vapor.
 Water vapor condenses into millions of tiny droplets that form
clouds. Clouds lose their water as rain or snow, which is called
precipitation.
What is Atmosphere?
Atmosphere, particularly Earth’s atmosphere is not just merely the air
that we breathe but also a blanket of gas that surrounds our planet
up to the edge of space.
 The atmosphere of Earth is mostly composed of nitrogen
(about 78%), oxygen (about 21%), argon (about 0.9%) with
carbon dioxide and other gases in trace amounts.
1. Troposphere – Extends 6 to 20 kilometers high, considered the
densest among the other parts of the atmosphere. All weather types
are in this region.
2. Stratosphere – Extends up to 50 kilometers high, it is in this region
where we can find the ozone layer which absorbs and scatters the
solar ultraviolet radiation.
3. Mesosphere – Extends 80 kilometers high, meteors usually burn up
in this region as they approach our planet.
4. Thermosphere – Extends up to 600 kilometers above the
mesosphere, aurora and satellites are located here.
5. Exosphere – this is the upper limit of the atmosphere, extends from
the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.
6. Ionosphere – Extends about 48 km above the surface to the edge
of space up 965 km, it is the part where abundant layers of electron,
ionized atoms and molecules occur.
What is biosphere?
Biosphere is termed as the “zone of life”, it is the part where life
exists.
 The biosphere is unique. So far there has been no existence of
life elsewhere in the universe.
 Life on Earth depends on the sun. Energy, provided as sun
light, is captured by plants, some bacteria and protists, in the
marvelous phenomenon of photosynthesis.
 The captured energy transforms carbon dioxide into organic
compounds such as sugars and produces oxygen.
 The vast majority of species of animals, fungi, parasitic plants
and many bacteria depend directly or indirectly on
photosynthesis.