Life On Earth/Earth's Spheres: SNC1WP - Grade 9 Biology

Eco

home (greek)

Ecosystem

All the living organisms sharing a group of natural homes and interacting both with each other and the nonliving parts of their environment.

Population

members of the same species in an area

Community

Different populations living in an area

Sustainable ecosystems

a group of natural homes which can endure the pressures put on it & support many different types of living organisms

Pressure

pollution, mining, taking resources for the Earth

Habitat

the natural home of an organism

Terrestrial Habitat

land-based habitat

Aquatic Habitat

water based habitat

Bio

life (greek)

Biodiversity

A variety of different living organisms that can survive in one habitat

4 different layers of the Earth

Cryosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere

Biosphere

The layer where life exists (sky, ocean, land). Overlaps with the other "spheres"

Lithosphere

The Earth's solid outer layer (made up of crust and upper mantle). Consists of rock materials, soil, and other underground minerals.

Hydrosphere

The water on the Earth (streams, rivers, lakes) or surrounding the Earth (seas/oceans).

Atmosphere

The layers of gases held in place by Earth's gravity. Consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon.

Layers of Earth's Atmosphere (bottom to top)

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

troposphere

Where the weather occurs, contains 75% of the air and 99% of water

stratosphere

contains the ozone layer which protects us from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays

Mesosphere

protects us by causing meteors to burn up

Thermosphere

the beginning of space; temperature can rise by 1500*C

Ionosphere

OVERLAPS WITH mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere, helps with communication due to ions being present

Exosphere

where satellites are placed to orbit the Earth

Biome

a specific ecosystem based on physical climate

Levels of Organization

Populations -> Communities -> Ecosystems -> Biomes -> Biosphere