Question

Jon likes hiking. He observes that whenever he hikes up a hill, he breathes heavier than when he is on flat ground. Which two statements explain why this happens?

Answer 1

Jon breathes heavier while hiking up a hill because the decrease in atmospheric pressure at higher elevations lowers oxygen availability, causing altitude sickness, and the physical effort required increases oxygen demand from the body's muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jon observes that he breathes heavier when hiking up a hill compared to when walking on flat ground due to two primary reasons related to changes in atmospheric pressure and the body's demand for oxygen. Firstly, as altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases causing reduced oxygen availability in the air. This can lead to altitude sickness and the body responds by increasing respiration to take in more oxygen. Secondly, hiking up a hill is a more strenuous activity which requires more energy, thus the body's muscles demand more oxygen leading to heavier breathing.

The diaphragm plays a crucial role in facilitating breathing by creating pressure differences in the lungs. On flat ground, less effort is required for this process, but on an incline, the body works harder, triggering the diaphragm to move more vigorously, resulting in an increased breathing rate. Additionally, the higher the altitude, the lower the atmospheric pressure, which affects the body's ability to efficiently take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, further contributing to heavier breathing.

Answer 2

The correct statements are sensors in the brain predict the lack of oxygen and the muscles in his body require more energy and thus more oxygen.

Whenever one goes on a level very high from the Earth's surface like in mountains, the sensors in the brain finds out that there is less oxygen present at a higher level. Secondly, whenever a person performs some kind of strenuous activity like mountain trekking, the production of lactic acid takes place in the muscles. Thus, the body needs more oxygen at that time to fulfill the requirement, due to the two mentioned factors the person breathes heavier.