Which of the following best describes how the biosphere interacts with the atmosphere?

• A. Plants in the biosphere absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and release oxygen back into the atmosphere.
• B. The biosphere and atmosphere do not interact with each other.
• C. The biosphere creates new atmospheric gases through volcanic eruptions.
• D. The atmosphere provides nutrients directly to animals in the biosphere through precipitation.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key terms in the question. The 'biosphere' refers to all living organisms on Earth, while the 'atmosphere' refers to the layer of gases surrounding the planet. The question is asking about how these two systems interact.
2. Step 2: Recall the process of photosynthesis. Plants, which are part of the biosphere, absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and use it, along with sunlight and water, to produce glucose and oxygen (O₂). This is a key interaction between the biosphere and the atmosphere.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the provided options. The first option describes the process of photosynthesis, which is a well-documented interaction between the biosphere and the atmosphere. The second option, stating that the biosphere and atmosphere do not interact, is incorrect because there are numerous interactions, such as gas exchange and nutrient cycling. The third option about volcanic eruptions is unrelated to the biosphere-atmosphere interaction described in the question. The fourth option, about precipitation providing nutrients directly to animals, is also incorrect because precipitation primarily affects the hydrosphere and soil, not directly the atmosphere-biosphere interaction.
4. Step 4: Focus on the correct answer. The correct answer is the first option: 'Plants in the biosphere absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and release oxygen back into the atmosphere.' This describes a fundamental interaction between the biosphere and atmosphere.
5. Step 5: Summarize the reasoning. The biosphere and atmosphere interact in many ways, but photosynthesis is one of the most critical processes. Plants play a vital role in regulating atmospheric gases by absorbing CO₂ and releasing O₂, which supports life on Earth.