| A | B |
|---|
| crust | the thin & solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle |
| mantle | in Earth science, the layer of rock between Earth's crust & core |
| core | the central part of the Earth below the mantle |
| lithosphere | the solid, outer layer of Earth that consists of the crust & the rigid upper part of the mantle |
| asthenosphere | solid, plastic layer of mantle beneath the lithosphere; made of mantle rock; flows slowly; allows tectonic plates to move on top of it |
| mesosphere | literally, "middle sphere"; the strong, lower part of the mantle between asthenosphere & outer core |
| system | a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study |
| atmosphere | a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon |
| hydrosphere | the portion of the Earth that is water |
| geosphere | the mostly solid, rocky part of the Earth; extends from the center of the core to the surface of the crust |
| biosphere | the part of Earth where life exists; includes all of the living organisms on Earth |
| ecosystem | a community of organisms & their abiotic environment |
| carrying capacity | the largest population than an environment can support at any given time |
| food web | a diagram that shows the feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem |
