The solid part of the ecosystem is referred to as the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the name of the solid part of the ecosystem. So we need the term that refers to the earth's solid components, such as rocks, soil and minerals.

Step 2: Explain the concept The abiotic (non-living) environment of the Earth is divided into spheres:

• Atmosphere: the gaseous layer around the Earth (air).
• Hydrosphere: all the water bodies (oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater).
• Lithosphere: the solid part, which includes rocks, soil and minerals. "Litho" comes from the Greek word lithos, meaning stone.
• Biosphere: the zone where life exists. It is made up of parts of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere where living things are found. It is not itself the solid part.

Step 3: Solve by elimination

• A. Atmosphere is gas, so it is wrong.
• B. Hydrosphere is water (liquid), so it is wrong.
• C. Biosphere is the region of living organisms, so it is wrong.
• D. Lithosphere is the solid crust (rock and soil), so it is correct.

Step 4: Answer The solid part of the ecosystem is the lithosphere, which is option D.

Exam tip: Match the Greek root to the state of matter:

• Litho = stone, so solid
• Hydro = water, so liquid
• Atmo = vapour, so gas
• Bio = life, so living things