8. The Lithosphere is made up of two parts: * The mantle and outer core All of the crust and a part of the upper mantle The upper and lower mantle The Mesosphere

The lithosphere is primarily composed of the Earth's crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, forming a rigid outer layer that sits above the more fluid asthenosphere. It's like the tough shell of an egg, protecting the Earth's inner components while also being crucial for tectonic activity and the formation of landforms. In a real-world application, the study of the lithosphere is pivotal for understanding plate tectonics, which influences everything from earthquake prediction to land formation. Geologists use this knowledge to assess risks in populated areas and to explore natural resources like minerals and fossil fuels that are found within this rigid layer.