Hypoxia (lack of sufficient oxygen to sustain aerobic metabolism) can be fatal.

Question

Hypoxia (lack of sufficient oxygen to sustain aerobic metabolism) can be fatal. The human body begins to manifest signs and symptoms of hypoxia when to PPOxygen in the lungs falls below 0.11 atm (~80mmHg, or the ). You can fly at an altitude of up to 9km (0.31 atm) because of the pressurized cabin (0.75 atm or higher). Should the cabin lose pressure, emergency oxygen masks are provided. (hints: pure oxygen flows through the masks. However, the lungs retain high levels of CO2 (~40mmHg) and water vapor (~47mmHg). Use these numbers in your calculations).

If a jet loses cabin pressure at an altitude of 9km, what would the PPOxygen be in the passengers’ lungs?

Explanation / Answer

whne the cabin loses pressure the pressure inside the cabin would be

             0.31 atm at 9 km altitude.

             = 760*0.31 = 235.6 mm Hg

partial pressures of CO2 + Water vapor = 40+47 = 87 mm Hg.

PPOxygen = 235.6 - 87.0 = 148.6 mm Hg

                                           = 0.196 atm

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse H
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.