Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How does the Earth's atmosphere protect living organisms from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight?
A
By producing oxygen through photosynthesis
B
By reflecting all sunlight back into space
C
By increasing the greenhouse effect
D
By absorbing UV radiation with the ozone layer
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of the Earth's atmosphere in protecting living organisms. The atmosphere acts as a shield against harmful radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.
Learn about the ozone layer, which is a region of the Earth's stratosphere containing a high concentration of ozone (O₃) molecules. These molecules are crucial for absorbing UV radiation.
Explore the mechanism of UV absorption. Ozone molecules absorb UV radiation, particularly UV-B and UV-C rays, through a chemical process where the energy from UV light breaks the bonds in ozone molecules, protecting living organisms from DNA damage and other harmful effects.
Recognize that photosynthesis produces oxygen (O₂), but this process does not directly protect against UV radiation. Similarly, reflecting all sunlight or increasing the greenhouse effect are not mechanisms for UV protection.
Conclude that the correct answer is: 'By absorbing UV radiation with the ozone layer,' as this is the primary function of the ozone layer in shielding life on Earth from harmful UV rays.