Which term encompasses biomes, living systems, and ecosystems, such as forests and deserts?

Which term encompasses biomes, living systems, and ecosystems, such as forests and deserts?

• A. Atmosphere
• B. Biosphere
• C. Hydrosphere
• D. Geosphere

Answer: (B)

The term that encompasses biomes, living systems, and ecosystems is the biosphere. The biosphere refers to the global sum of all ecosystems and is the zone of life on Earth. It includes various biomes such as forests, deserts, grasslands, and aquatic environments, all of which support different living organisms and their interactions. The biosphere is critical because it enables the complex interplay between living organisms and their physical surroundings, providing the resources and conditions necessary for life. This concept highlights how ecosystems operate within the larger context of the biosphere, emphasizing the importance of both biological and physical components in sustaining life on our planet. Other terms like atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere describe specific Earth systems that are important but do not encompass living systems and ecosystems as broadly as the biosphere does. The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth, the hydrosphere includes all water bodies, and the geosphere refers to the solid earth, including rocks and soils. Each of these plays a role in supporting life, but they are components of the biosphere rather than terms that encompass all living systems and ecosystems together.

The term that encompasses biomes, living systems, and ecosystems is the biosphere. The biosphere refers to the global sum of all ecosystems and is the zone of life on Earth. It includes various biomes such as forests, deserts, grasslands, and aquatic environments, all of which support different living organisms and their interactions.

The biosphere is critical because it enables the complex interplay between living organisms and their physical surroundings, providing the resources and conditions necessary for life. This concept highlights how ecosystems operate within the larger context of the biosphere, emphasizing the importance of both biological and physical components in sustaining life on our planet.

Other terms like atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere describe specific Earth systems that are important but do not encompass living systems and ecosystems as broadly as the biosphere does. The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth, the hydrosphere includes all water bodies, and the geosphere refers to the solid earth, including rocks and soils. Each of these plays a role in supporting life, but they are components of the biosphere rather than terms that encompass all living systems and ecosystems together.