What is the Earth's Biosphere? — Reading Comprehension

Have you ever wondered where life exists on Earth? That special place is called the biosphere. The biosphere is the part of Earth where all living organisms, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales, can be found. It stretches from the deepest parts of the oceans to high up in the atmosphere where birds fly. Essentially, if it's alive, it's part of the biosphere. Understanding the biosphere is key to understanding life on Earth.

The biosphere isn't a separate bubble; it's deeply connected to other parts of our planet. These parts are often called Earth's systems. One important system is the geosphere, which includes all the solid parts of Earth, like rocks, mountains, and soil. Plants, part of the biosphere, get nutrients from the soil in the geosphere. Animals, also part of the biosphere, walk on the land and build homes in its caves or burrows. When volcanoes erupt (a geosphere event), they can change habitats for living organisms, affecting the biosphere.

Another crucial system is the hydrosphere, which includes all the water on Earth – oceans, rivers, lakes, and even water vapor in the air. Water is essential for all living things. Fish and other aquatic animals live entirely within the hydrosphere. Land animals drink water, and plants absorb it through their roots. Changes in the hydrosphere, like droughts or floods, directly impact the biosphere by affecting the availability of water for plants and animals.

Finally, there's the atmosphere, the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. The atmosphere provides the air we breathe, which is vital for most living organisms. Plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis, and animals use oxygen for respiration. Weather patterns, like rain and temperature, are part of the atmosphere and significantly influence where different types of life can thrive within the biosphere. These interactions show how the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are constantly working together in complex ways to support our diverse ecosystems.

Interesting Fact: The deepest known living organisms, certain types of bacteria, have been found more than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) deep within the Earth's crust, showing how extensive the biosphere truly is!

What is the biosphere?

Which system includes rocks and soil?

How do plants interact with the geosphere?

Why is the hydrosphere important for the biosphere?

Which gas do plants use from the atmosphere?

How do droughts affect the biosphere?

Volcano eruptions primarily affect which system first?

If a species goes extinct due to habitat loss, which two systems are directly interacting?

The biosphere includes only animals, not plants.

What does 'living organisms' mean in the passage?