Final answer:
The correct answer is A) respiratory tissue is damaged by oxidation. When the partial pressure of oxygen is too high, it can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species, which harm respiratory tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the partial pressure of oxygen in the air a diver breathes is too great, it can lead to respiratory tissue damage due to oxidation. Oxygen at high pressures can generate reactive species of oxygen, which can damage cells. This is a concern in diving as well as in medical situations where patients are given high concentrations of oxygen.
Additionally, other physiological changes can occur as discussed in various contexts such as high altitude and underwater diving.
For instance, at high altitudes, the body adapts by increasing production of BPG in erythrocytes and releasing a higher proportion of oxygen into tissues, while underwater diving involves risks of decompression sickness if ascents are too rapid. The body's response to high carbon dioxide levels is a stronger drive to breathe, rather than low oxygen levels.