Conditions for life on earth

• Mass

  Prevented gases from

  escaping into space. Atmospheric pressure was high enough to prevent all liquid water from boiling.
• Distance from the sun

  Goldilocks zone. optimum temperature that is suitable for life.
• Axis of rotation


  Produces seasonal variation
• Speed of rotation


  Night and day cycles. Stops earth from becoming too hot/cold on one side.
• Magnetic field


  Deflects solar flares/winds. Stops damaging radiation from reaching Earths surface.
• Presence of liquid water

  Temperature control, Internal transport, solvent (uptake of plants), anomalous expansion of freezing.
• Atmospheric gases


  CO2 - photosynthesis

  N - protein synthesis
• Solar energy


  Provides energy for photosynthesis.

  Does not denature enzymes.

  Drives hydrological cycle.
• Archaea

  Ancient single-celled microorganisms that evolved in extreme environments
• Proterozoic


  Time period around 2.45 to 0.54 billion years ago characterized by rising oxygen levels
• Carbon Sequestration


  Process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide to mitigate greenhouse gas levels
• Biogeochemical Cycles

  Interconnected processes among organisms ensuring sustainable nutrient levels
• Transpiration

  Plant process releasing water vapor, influencing rainfall and supporting plant growth
• Proxy Data


  Indirect measurements used to infer past environmental conditions
• Radioisotope Composition

  Using isotopic ratios like carbon-12 to carbon-14 for dating samples
• Oxygen Isotope Ratio

  Estimating past temperatures using the ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16
• Ice Core Analysis


  Studying past atmosphere composition from air bubbles trapped in ice cores
• Calcite Deposits


  Using magnesium to calcium ratio in calcite to estimate past temperatures
• Continental Drift


  Movement of Earth's continents over time, impacting global climate and habitats
• Global Climate Change


  Long-term shifts in Earth's climate due to various factors like human activities
• Abiotic Conditions


  Non-living factors like sunlight intensity shaping Earth's environment
• Living Systems Response


  Organisms adapting to environmental changes to maintain survival conditions