Match the following. match the items in the left column to the items in the right column.

1. ammonification

the part of earth's crust that forms landmasses

2. assimilation

the gaseous layer of a planet, usually retained by its gravity

3. asthenosphere

process by which certain bacteria convert organic nitrogen into ammonia and ammonium salts during decomposition

4. astronomy

theory proposed by alfred wegener that the continents once formed a single supercontinent that broke up and drifted apart

5. atmosphere

process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a gas, liquid, or plastic material

6. biosphere

process by which plants or animals convert nutrients into usable organic compounds, such as proteins

7. continental crust

area where tectonic plates meet and push against each other

8. continental drift

the study of the universe beyond the earth

9. convection

the layer immediately surrounding the lower mantle; composed of molten rock

10. convergent boundary

the living organisms of earth