What natural substance is composed of layers of minerals, organic matter, and weathered rock?

The correct response is soils. Soils are a complex natural substance formed through the combination of layers of minerals, organic matter, air, water, and living organisms. They are created through weathering processes that break down rocks and minerals, combined with the decay of plant and animal material, resulting in a fertile medium that can support plant life.

Soils consist of various horizons or layers, which vary in composition and depth, leading to different soil types with unique properties. This intricate structure is essential for numerous ecological and agricultural processes, making soils a crucial component of the Earth's surface.

On the other hand, clay refers specifically to a type of fine-grained natural rock or soil material that is smaller than silt and characterized by its plasticity when wet. Sand consists of larger particle sizes and does not contain the same layering or organic matter. Loam is a specific type of soil that is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, but it is still considered a subset of soils rather than a separate category.