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Dimensions
The components of the biosphere do not encompass the entire planet. The Earth's radius is approximately 6,400 km. The biosphere occupies 0.4 percent of that radius. Even though the biosphere's vertical extent is 25 km, most living creatures reside in an area of about 16 km deep. Very few life forms can survive at an altitude greater than six km above sea level. Some birds, spores and insects can live at that height.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere, which forms the biosphere's top layer, consists of gases. Nitrogen and oxygen make of 99 percent of those gases. Birds, flying mammals, insects and other creatures of the air inhabit the atmosphere. The troposphere, a component of the atmosphere, makes up three quarters of the atmosphere and extends to a height of eight km at the poles and 16 km at the equator. The troposphere determines most of the Earth's weather patterns. The stratosphere sits on top of the troposphere and climbs to approximately 60 km above the Earth.
Hydrosphere
One of the most important components in the biosphere is the hydrosphere. Oceans, rivers, lakes and streams make up the hydrosphere. Fish, sea-dwelling mammals and other aquatic life forms live in these areas. Although water covers 70 percent of the Earth's surface, humans can only use one percent of it. That is because 97% of the water is salty. Water also exists in the atmosphere as water vapor and in the soil as ground water and moisture.
Lithosphere
The lithosphere forms the base of the biosphere. Extending up from the Earth's core, it contains the liquid rock surrounding the core, the semi-solid rock above that and the rocks and soil on the surface where humans live. This surface is not flat as evidenced by the soaring peaks of Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. The surface also dips more than 1,300 feet below sea level where you find the salty waters of the Dead Sea.