Summary of the Chapter (Snapshot)

Cause and Effect — How Earth's Conditions Make Life Possible

Mind Map

Key Terms and Definitions

Crust

The thin outer layer of Earth where all life exists.

Solar system

The Sun with the eight planets that orbit it.

Greenhouse effect

The trapping of heat by gases in a planet's atmosphere.

Habitable zone

The range of distances from a star where water stays liquid.

Blue Planet

The name for Earth, which looks blue due to its water.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.

Ozone layer

A layer that blocks harmful UV rays from the Sun.

Magnetic field

The region around Earth that shields it from space particles.

Cosmic rays

High-energy particles from far across the universe.

Solar wind

High-energy particles that come from the Sun.

Hydrosphere

All the water on Earth together.

Geosphere

The solid part of Earth — rocks, soils and minerals.

Biosphere

All living beings and the places where they live.

Geodiversity

The variety of landforms, rocks and soils on Earth.

Reproduction

The process by which living beings make more of their kind.

Gametes

Reproductive cells carrying half the parent's genes.

Fertilisation

The joining of male and female gametes to form a zygote.

Triple planetary crisis

Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution together.