All the areas of the planet that will support life.
A. Biome
B. Biosphere
C. Ecosystem
D. Population
A. Biome - A large-scale community of plants and animals that occupy a specific geographic area and have similar climatic conditions.
B. Biosphere - The global sum of all ecosystems on Earth, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and all living organisms.
C. Ecosystem - A community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (such as soil, water, and air) and functioning as a unit.
D. Population - A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and can interbreed, interacting with each other and their environment.
The correct answer is B. Biosphere.
To understand why the biosphere is the correct answer, let's first define the other options:
A. Biome: A biome refers to a specific type of habitat or ecosystem characterized by its distinct climate, vegetation, and animal communities. Examples of biomes include deserts, rainforests, grasslands, and tundras. While biomes are important for understanding different types of environments on Earth, they do not encompass all areas that support life.
C. Ecosystem: An ecosystem refers to a specific community of living organisms (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their non-living environment (like air, water, and soil). Ecosystems can be as small as a pond or as large as a forest. While ecosystems are essential for sustaining life, they do not encompass all areas that support life either.
D. Population: In biology, a population refers to a group of individuals belonging to the same species residing in the same area. While populations are vital for the study of species distribution and conservation, they do not describe all areas that can support life.
Now, let's focus on option B. The correct answer, biosphere, refers to the global sum of all ecosystems on Earth where life exists. It includes all regions of the planet—land, water, and air—where organisms can survive and thrive. The biosphere encompasses everything from the deepest parts of the oceans to the highest mountain peaks and includes all living organisms, from bacteria to plants to animals. It represents the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and provides the conditions necessary for life to persist.
The correct answer is B. Biosphere.
The biosphere refers to the portion of the Earth where life exists. It includes all living organisms, their habitats, and the interactions between them. This encompasses all ecosystems, biomes, and populations on the planet.
A. Biome: A biome refers to a large-scale community of plants and animals that occupy a specific type of habitat, characterized by a unique climate, topography, and vegetation.
C. Ecosystem: An ecosystem refers to a community of organisms that interact with each other and with their environment. It includes all living organisms (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms) in a particular area and the physical components (such as air, water, soil, and sunlight) that they rely on.
D. Population: A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and can potentially interbreed.