Quiz - 11 - Diving Knowledge Workbook - Diving Physiology

[Pedro Burrito]

From the Diving Physiology Section of the PADI Diving Knowledge Workbook Version 2.02 © PADI 2009:

2.4 Question 1

The reflex respiratory center regulates breathing based primarily on the level of ___ in the blood.

a. oxygen

b. nitrogen

c. carbon dioxide

d. all of the above depending upon circumstance.
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I will post a daily question from my exams to help newer divers and to encourage more experienced divers to interact gracefully and helpfully with the newer divers.

Reminder - this is a post in the Basic Forum and it is a green zone. Please be nice and on topic.

Thank you for your patience while we try to give people something to discuss other than Covid-19 and/or Politics. I will post the answer covered by the spoiler tag later today.

 

[elmo]

Thanks again Pedro for continuing the daily quiz questions.

I assume you mean "level" rather than "lever" in the blood

 

[Akimbo]

It was never clear to me if the stimulus is triggered by elevated levels in the blood, lungs, or both. I look forward to the education.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

Spoiler: Answer

c. carbon dioxide

A seemingly paradoxical phenomenon is that the factor controlling the urge to breathe is not primarily the lack of oxygen in the our blood. Instead, it's an elevated level of carbon dioxide. Incidentally, the noted dive table physiologist J. S. Haldane was one of the scientists who discovered this fact.