Final answer:
Compliance and resistance of the lung affect breathing and gas exchange. When compliance decreases, the airways stiffen and collapse upon exhalation, while increased resistance leads to airway obstruction. These alterations can affect gas exchange through changes in ventilation and perfusion. Option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Breathing and gas exchange are both altered by changes in the compliance and resistance of the lung. If the compliance of the lung decreases, as occurs in restrictive diseases like fibrosis, the airways stiffen and collapse upon exhalation.
Air becomes trapped in the lungs, making breathing more difficult. If resistance increases, as happens with asthma or emphysema, the airways become obstructed, trapping air in the lungs and causing breathing to become difficult.
Alterations in the ventilation of the airways or perfusion of the arteries can affect gas exchange. These changes in ventilation and perfusion, called V/Q mismatch, can arise from anatomical or physiological changes.
The weight and resistance of harness straps in respiratory protection typically lead to decreased endurance. This is because the additional weight can increase the physical burden on the wearer, and the resistance from the straps can make breathing more laborious, thereby taxing the wearer's respiratory muscles.
As a result, the individual may experience a reduction in their ability to sustain prolonged physical effort or to maintain activity over time without experiencing fatigue.