The ozone layer that protects living organisms from ultraviolet radiation is located in which atmospheric layer?

• A. Troposphere
• B. Stratosphere
• C. Mesosphere
• D. Exosphere

Answer: (B)

UV protection comes from ozone in the atmosphere, mainly concentrated in the stratosphere. In this layer, ozone molecules absorb most of the sun’s ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C radiation, converting it to heat and helping shield living organisms on Earth. The troposphere is the lowest layer where weather occurs and contains only a small amount of ozone near ground level, not a dedicated protective layer. The mesosphere lies above the stratosphere and has much less ozone, with thinner air overall. The exosphere is the outermost layer with extremely sparse particles and no significant ozone layer. So the ozone layer that protects living organisms from UV radiation is located in the stratosphere.