Final answer:
Naturally occurring minerals refer to those that have formed through geological processes on Earth and have not been artificially created by humans or come from extraterrestrial sources. They represent the basic components of various rock types.
Step-by-step explanation:
When referring to minerals, the term naturally occurring means that the minerals were formed through geological processes without human intervention. This definition is specifically targeted towards minerals that have not been created in a laboratory or synthesized by some form of human activity and contrasts with substances that might originate from extraterrestrial sources.
Minerals are inorganic substances with a distinctive chemical composition and crystal structure that form the foundation of various types of rocks, such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. These minerals crystallize and accumulate in different environments to create the diverse geological features found on Earth.