He’s a bit of a hypocrite: how can oxygen save our lives and kill us at the same time?
- May 2, 2024
- 0
average per day While breathing in 11,000 liters of air About 20 percent of this air consists of oxygen. About 15 percent by mass of the exhaled air
average per day While breathing in 11,000 liters of air About 20 percent of this air consists of oxygen. About 15 percent by mass of the exhaled air consists of oxygen.
In some cases this is life-giving gas How deadly can it be? reveals another face of oxygen.
Oxygen is an indispensable element for our lives.
During our breathing process, our cells They produce energy by breaking down glucose. Oxygen plays a key role in this process. However, this use of oxygen at the cellular level must be done in a balanced way. The 20 percent oxygen we ingest is actually an ideal percentage for us, because our body is designed for it.
What happens if the oxygen dose is exceeded?
One of the main reasons why oxygen is dangerous presence in high concentrations. Higher than normal oxygen levels, especially if they are 50 percent or more, cause a condition called oxidative stress in cells and tissues.
oxidative stress It can be defined as the process by which free radicals damage cells and oxidize DNA, proteins and lipids. When we breathe pure oxygen and oxidative stress occurs, it can cause various health problems. It can even result in death.
What causes oxygen poisoning?
When the oxygen level in the air we breathe is too high “oxygen poisoning” it occurs. This can lead to breathing problems, headaches, hiccups, tingling in the limbs, chest pain, nausea, exhaustion, fever, visual disturbances and even loss of consciousness.
Special divers, They may face this risk if they breathe pure oxygen at high pressure.
Oxygen can also increase the rate at which flammable materials burn.
While a piece of wood burns at a certain rate under normal weather conditions, it burns very quickly in an oxygen-rich environment. burns faster. Therefore, keep in mind that the risk of fire and the rate of fire spread increase in environments with high oxygen levels.
Are there any disadvantages to oxygen supplementation?
Of course, there are situations in which more oxygen is needed than the oxygen we consume every day. In hospitals or space stations Oxygen consumption is carefully monitored. As long as it is used consciously, oxygen can be prevented from threatening our lives.
With both potential danger and life-giving bidirectional character As you can see, serious risks can arise if the balance of oxygen intake is disturbed. Therefore pure oxygen It should not be ignored.
Sources: Science Focus, The Conversation, How Stuff Works, National Library of Medicine, Scientific American
Our other content that may interest you:
Follow Webtekno on Threads and don’t miss the news
Source: Web Tekno
Ashley Johnson is a science writer for “Div Bracket”. With a background in the natural sciences and a passion for exploring the mysteries of the universe, she provides in-depth coverage of the latest scientific developments.
