What is the purpose of the segments and rings? How do we decide when to use more of them and when not? I take it that ...

What is the purpose of the segments and rings? How do we decide when to use more of them and when not? I take it that this actual place of existence (3d view)has no ground? therefore if we're creating everything for an animation in blender are we supposed to create the terrain as well or will it automatically add some straight terrain? (now I don't know how that process works but all in all I'm curious if we should make the ground or if it exists but is invisible so to say)