Question

Scuba divers breathing air at increased pressure can suffer from oxygen toxicity-too much oxygen in the bloodstream-when the partial pressure of oxygen exceeds about 1.4 atm. part a what happens to the amount of oxygen in a diver's bloodstream when he or she breathes oxygen at elevated pressures? what happens to the amount of oxygen in a diver's bloodstream when he or she breathes oxygen at elevated pressures?

Answer 1

The amount of oxygen in the blood actually rises. The reactive oxygen species - the hydroxide ion in specific – are the ones responsible for the cellular damage that happens. These species actually form in our bodies at normal oxygen pressure, but our cells are capable of handling the oxidative stress at normal rate.