Tag: habitat and adaptation

The ionosphere is defined as the layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. It lies 75 to 1000 km above the Earth. It is distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere. It has practical importance because, among other functions, it influences radio propagation to distant places on the Earth. It is also called as thermosphere.

The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere and site of all weather on Earth. The troposphere is bonded on the top by a layer of air called as the tropopause, which separates the troposphere from the stratosphere, and on bottom by the surface of the Earth. It contains approximately 75% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapour and aerosols. The average depth of the troposphere is approximately 17 km in the middle latitudes.

Environmental monitoring describes the processes and activities that need to take place to characterize and monitor the quality of the environment. It can be defined as the systematic sampling of air, water, soil and biota in order to observe and study the environment. 

Atmospheric layers include the troposphere (0 to 16 km), stratosphere (16 to 50 km), mesosphere (50 to 80km) and thermosphere (80 to 640km). In the troposphere and mesosphere, temperature generally falls with increasing altitude, while in the stratosphere and thermosphere, temperature rises with increasing altitude. In addition to temperature, other criteria can be used to define different layers in the atmosphere. 

Exosphere is the outer fringe of Earth's atmosphere, which extends some 20000 miles from the planet. It's dominant element is hydrogen and its temperature ranges from $200^0 F$ to $1000^0 F$. The lower part of exosphere contains abundance of helium besides hydrogen and is called as “helium zone”. Hence, option D is correct.

Colour of the praying mantis varies from brown to green, depending on its habitat. Colour of the body provides camouflage and enables praying mantis to blend with its environment and become invisible for both the predators and the prey.

Natural flora and fauna are the plants and animals that live in that particular area. The harmful effect of pollution such as air or water is most marked on these organisms as they are the ones who at the risk of initial exposure due to their proximity to pollutants. Thus the correct answer is option A.