2006-11-28 09:03:36 · 8 answers · asked by koolbreeze 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
We don't breathe oxygen...we breathe a mixture of mostly nitrogen.
The air we breathe is made up of significant quantities of four gases:
1. Nitrogen (78%)
2. Oxygen (21%)
3. Argon (0.94%)
4. Carbon dioxide (0.04%)
When we breathe in air, our bodies consume its oxygen and convert it to carbon dioxide. Exhaled air contains about 4.5-percent carbon dioxide. Our bodies do not do anything with nitrogen or argon.
2006-11-28 09:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by Sir J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't. Our space program used pure oxygen at a low pressure, about equal to the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere, for a number of years.
Having a higher partial pressure is too much of a good thing, though. If you hyperventilate, you'll get dizzy -- the same thing happens if you breathe a higher pressure of oxygen than is available in our atmosphere.
2006-11-28 09:31:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Oxygen we breathe is not pure - it is a mixture, including nitrogen and other compounds.
In Europe pure Oxygen is being used to kill germs, parasites and their eggs! Especially in pools. They "ozonate" the pools, which pumps pure oxygen - which happens to kill more than Chlorine, is less toxic and at the same time is great for humans to swim in - good for skin and mending/repairing our bodies.
2006-11-28 09:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by nuovoterra 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The free radical answer is what you are looking for. Why do you think those companies advertise oxygenating cleaning solutions. Oxygen is a powerful "oxidator". It will rip organic molecules (your cells) apart.
Nitrogen as a gas is largely inert in the human being. The mixture is perfectly aligned for our systems.
2006-11-28 09:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by epaphras_faith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If humans breathe pure oxygen it would stop respiratory feedback and cause the diaphragm to cease moving,causing respiratory failure and death,CO2 is essential coz it stimulates our respiration.
2006-11-28 15:54:46 · answer #5 · answered by Count Dooko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oxygen gas is a free radical and damages the cells.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_toxicity
2006-11-28 09:06:07 · answer #6 · answered by motorcitysmadman 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We still need the nitrogen to assist with breathing
2006-11-28 09:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
about 21% is whats in our air
2006-11-28 09:06:31 · answer #8 · answered by crazzy 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋