Define the five systems. be sure to include enough information to distinguish each system from the others. (site 1) the lithosphere is the solid part of the earth made up of rocks, minerals, and other elements, not including the oceans. the biosphere is the part of the planet where living things can be found - from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to the bottoms of the oceans and thermal pools. the atmosphere is the thin layer of gasses that surround our planet. it gives us the many varied climates, or long-term weather conditions, around the world. the hydrosphere includes all of the water on earth, from the oceans to glaciers and underground water. the cryosphere includes all of the earth's frozen water, including glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice.