Which atmospheric feature protects living beings by absorbing most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation?

Which atmospheric feature protects living beings by absorbing most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation?

• A. Troposphere
• B. Ionosphere
• C. Stratosphere
• D. Ozone Layer

Answer: (D)

Sunlight includes ultraviolet radiation that can harm living things, and the atmosphere provides a shield. The key protective feature is ozone in the upper atmosphere—the ozone layer. Ozone molecules (O3) absorb most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, especially the energetic UV-C and much of UV-B. This absorption converts the energy to heat and greatly reduces how much UV reaches the surface, helping prevent DNA damage, skin cancer, cataracts, and ecological harm. While this shield sits within the stratosphere, it’s the ozone layer itself that performs the critical protection.

Sunlight includes ultraviolet radiation that can harm living things, and the atmosphere provides a shield. The key protective feature is ozone in the upper atmosphere—the ozone layer. Ozone molecules (O3) absorb most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, especially the energetic UV-C and much of UV-B. This absorption converts the energy to heat and greatly reduces how much UV reaches the surface, helping prevent DNA damage, skin cancer, cataracts, and ecological harm. While this shield sits within the stratosphere, it’s the ozone layer itself that performs the critical protection.