Question

which of the following does not take place in the biosphere?
a. orchid pollen traveling to an island on wind currents
b. aerobic bacteria breaking down dead plant material
c. ocean waves wearing down a rocky shoreline
d. west nile virus being carried by mosquitoes

Explanation:

The biosphere consists of all areas of Earth where life exists, including interactions between living organisms and their environment. Option A involves orchid pollen (a living - related process) traveling via wind (part of the environment). Option B involves aerobic bacteria (living organisms) decomposing dead plant material (a biological process). Option D involves the West Nile virus (a biological entity) being carried by mosquitoes (living organisms). Option C, ocean waves wearing down a rocky shoreline, is a purely geological process involving the physical erosion of rocks by water; it does not involve any living organisms or biological processes, so it does not take place in the biosphere.

Answer:

C. ocean waves wearing down a rocky shoreline