Objective

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe the different characteristics of the
earth necessary for the growth and survival of life.

Earth is considered as a home of simple single-celled organisms up to the most complex life
forms including humans. It is undeniable that the planet we live in is a rare planet as it is the
only planet in our solar system that permits life. The different characteristics of Earth are
responsible for the proliferation of life.

Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9%
argon, 350 ppm carbon dioxide, and other components. The table
below shows the major components in the atmosphere and their
relative concentrations (Source:
http://www.ucar.edu/communications/gcip/m7sssystem/m7pdfc
3.pdf).

The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide permits life on Earth.

Carbon dioxide is used by photosynthetic organisms, such as
plants and algae, to convert the energy from the sun to usable
energy through the process of photosynthesis. The oxygen makes
it livable for living organisms including humans for respiration
and for our cells to function.
Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the
atmosphere, clouds, and the earth's surface. Another 25% is
absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds, and the remaining 45% is
absorbed by the earth’s surface. Ozone is composed of three
oxygen atoms. In the stratosphere, it is abundant in the form of
the ozone layer. This layer absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths,
and the absorption of this radiation heats up the air.

Soil and Vegetation

The soil is a mixture of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and organisms. It is a living
medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation. The soil promotes growth for
plants by providing nutrients, water, and as a substrate for anchorage of roots. In
return, vegetation produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water and nutrient
cycle, and prevents soil and wind erosion. This mutual relationship of the soil and
vegetation makes our planet livable.

Earth’s Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor. Nearly
three-quarters of the earth’s surface is the sea and the ocean. The ocean houses many
species of marine life and diverse mineral resources. Other forms of water include river,
streams, and lakes. Other than being a water reservoir, these forms of water are all
sources of fish and shellfish that we consume. They also serve as thermostat and heat
reservoir, especially the ocean. They also serve as ways for transportation.

Explore!
Imagine that you have a garden. Get one plant that could fit in a pot but do not put soil
when you transfer it. Put the plant inside a box and leave it for one week. What do you
think will happen to the plant? How would you relate this scenario with the different
characteristics of the Earth?
Try it!
Research about the characteristics of other planets in the Solar System which make
them unfit for growth and life.

What do you think?

Are the characteristics of the earth interrelated with one another? If yes, how do they
affect each other?

Key Points
 The atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 350 ppm
carbon dioxide, and other components.
 The presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide makes Earth habitable.
 Earth’s atmosphere also protects us from the sun’s radiation.
 The soil is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
 The hydrosphere serves as a water reservoir, a source of fish and shellfish that we
consume, a thermostat and heat reservoir, and a way for transportation.

Question 1
Which of the following planets permits growth and life?

Select your answer.

1Jupiter2Earth3Mars4Saturn
Question 2
Which of the following gases is the most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?

Select your answer.

1hydrogen2nitrogen3carbon dioxide4oxygen
Question 3
is a living medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.
Select your answer.
1oceans2hydrosphere3soil4atmosphere
Question 4
Which of the following is true about the role of soil in growth and life on Earth?
Select your answer.

1There is no relationship between the soil and vegetation. 2They do not affect growth and
life on Earth.3The soil provides nutrients, water, and substrate for vegetation. 4The soil
allows growth of different types of plants but not microorganisms.

Question 5
Which of the following is not true about the hydrosphere?

Select your answer.

1It serves as thermostat and heat reservoir, especially the ocean. 2The hydrosphere
contains all the water on our planet including ice and vapor.3It is also a way for

transportation.4Half of the Earth's surface is composed of the oceans and the seas.

Question 6
Which of the following is not true about the earth's atmosphere?

Select your answer.

1The atmosphere only consists of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and argon.2It contains
the ozone layer that absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths.3The earth’s atmosphere protects

us from the sun’s radiation.4Thirty percent of the radiation is reflected away by the
atmosphere, clouds, and surface.

Question 7
Which of the following is not true about the soil?

Select your answer.

1It produces trees and forests cover, ensures the water and nutrient cycle, and prevents soil
and wind erosion. 2It is composed of mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and

organisms. 3It is a living medium—a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation.4It
promotes growth for plants by providing nutrients, water, and as a substrate for anchorage
of roots.

Question 8
How do oxygen and carbon dioxide make the earth habitable?

Select your answer.

1Carbon dioxide is used by photosynthetic organisms in photosynthesis, and the oxygen is

used by humans and animals for respiration.2Carbon dioxide and oxygen is used by
 3
photosynthetic organisms and by our cells to function. Carbon dioxide and oxygen help

4
prevent the entry of UV radiation. Carbon dioxide and oxygen lead to maintenance of heat
on Earth.

Question 9
How does Earth’s atmosphere protect us from the Sun's radiation?

Select multiple answers and then press Answer.

1The atmosphere reflects all the sun's radiation.2The gases in the atmosphere act as a
protective layer that makes the sun's radiation reflect away from the Earth's surface.3Some
of the sun's radiation is reflected away and absorbed by the atmosphere, clouds, and the
4
Earth's surface. The presence of the ozone layer absorbs the ultraviolet wavelengths, and
the absorption of this radiation heats up the air.

Question 10
Which of the following characteristics of Earth help in the proliferation of life?

Select multiple answers and then press Answer.

1The atmosphere prevents the entry of solar radiation.2The presence of nitrogen and
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes the Earth habitable. 3The soil is a living medium—

a medium for growth of all kinds of vegetation. 4Some forms of the hydrosphere serve as
ways for transportation.
Answer