Physics of the Atmosphere
The standard atmospheric pressure at seal level expressed inches of mercury (in. Hg) and pounds per square inch (psi)
What are 29.92 in. Hg and 14.7 psi?
The liquid portion of blood comprising 55% of total volume that carries nutrients, hormones, waste products, and up to 100 dissolved substances.
What is Plasma?
The gas law stating that gas volume is inversely proportional to pressure at constant temperature, explaining trapped gas pain in the middle ear, sinuses, and GI tract during altitude changes.
What is Boyle's Law?
The four main anatomical/functional phases of respiration.
What are the ventilation, diffusion, (transportation), and utilization phases?
What are Alveoli?
The atmospheric zone extending from sea level to 10,000 feet where the human body is well-adapted or can adapt naturally.
What is the Physiological Zone?
The cellular component making up 44% of total blood volume, shaped like flexible donuts without nuclei to maximize surface area and carry oxygen.
What are Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)?
The gas law stating that total atmospheric pressure equals the sum of its partial pressures, explaining how dropping ambient pressure decreases oxygen partial pressure and causes hypoxic hypoxia.
What is Dalton's Law?
The active phase of breathing during which the diaphragm contracts downward and chest volume expands.
What is Inhalation (Inspiration)?
The circulatory circuit responsible for moving blood between the heart and the lungs for oxygenation.
What is the Pulmonary Circuit?
The exact altitude where atmospheric pressure is reduced to half of its sea-level value (380 mmHg)
What is 18,000 feet?
The solid blood component that makes up 1% of total blood volume and is responsible for immune defense.
What are White Blood Cells?
The gas law describing how dissolved gas in a liquid varies directly with ambient pressure, explaining nitrogen bubble evolution and decompression sickness (DCS).
What is Henry's Law?
The phase of respiration that impacts all other phases.
What is Ventilation?
Gaseous Diffusion of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide from the lungs to the tissues and back
What is the primary purpose of respiration?
The standard temperature lapse rate per 1,000 feet of altitude increase in the troposphere
What is 2 degrees Celsius (or 3.6 degrees F)?
The key protein in red blood cells--with 250 million packed into each cell--where a single protein binds 4 molecules of oxygen or carbon dioxide.
What is Hemoglobin?
The physical law governing how gases diffuse from an area of higher partial pressure (higher concentration, lower molecular weight) to lower partial pressure (lower concentration, higher molecular weight) across the alveolar-capillary membrane.
What is Graham's Law (or the Law of Gaseous Diffusion)?
The passive phase of breathing during which the diaphragm relaxes upward, increasing lung pressure and forcing air out.
What is Exhalation (expiration)?
The mathematical formula used to calculate total Cardiac Output per minute
What is Heart Rate X Stroke Volume?
The physiological adaptation occurring after prolonged altitude exposure where plasma volume decreases slightly and one other blood component increases.
What is red blood cell production increasing by up to 30%?
Cardiac Output (stroke volume X heart rate) and peripheral resistance, which move blood from the heart to the tissues
What forms Blood Pressure?
The gas law stating that, with constant volume, pressure and temperature are directly proportional, but has minimal impact on human physiology.
What is Charles' Law?
Condition caused by anxiety-induced rapid, deep breathing, resulting in excessive carbon dioxide loss in the blood
What is Hyperventilation?
Transporting oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues, and delivering carbon dioxide from the body's tissues to the lungs