Which of the following layers of the earth make up the lithosphere?

The lithosphere is defined as the rigid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle that is also rigid. This layer is significant because it is where tectonic plates are found, and it plays a crucial role in geological processes such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

The upper mantle that makes up a portion of the lithosphere is distinguished from the deeper, more ductile sections of the mantle, which can flow more easily and are not considered part of the lithosphere. This distinction leads to the separation of the lithosphere from the more fluid asthenosphere beneath it.

The other options incorrectly include layers that do not fit the definition of the lithosphere. For example, the mantle itself encompasses both the upper and lower portions, but only the rigid upper part is included in the lithosphere. Meanwhile, the outer core and inner core are composed mainly of liquid and solid iron, respectively, and are not part of the lithosphere.