Why not nitrogen, hydrogen, or something else?
2007-07-05 21:48:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
oxygen because it is needed in our body to function well not just to breathe.. the other elements are just hazardous to the body if inhaled....
2007-07-05 22:22:59 · answer #1 · answered by ewan_jrj777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos it's pretty difficult not to.
We evolved with the ability to utilise the most abundant gas-mixture available in our environment. If that substance had been nitrogen, hydrogen or something else, you would be asking a different question.
There are some organisms that live in the deep oceans next to sulphur vents that live on sulphur gasses, which is highly toxic to most creatures.
2007-07-06 02:36:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, want the REAL answer?
lol
we need to inhale oxygen (and not hydrogen, nitrogen etc) for "cellular respiration", a metabolic activity that allows us to basically live! Nitrogen, oxygen etc, cannot be used for this reaction, and is therefore why we dont use it in this way.
Hope this helps!
2007-07-05 23:51:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We don't - we breath AIR which consist of approximately 20% by volume of oxygen, 79% nitrogen and small proportions of other gases such as carbon dioxide and argon. You can find full compund here: http://education.jlab.org/qa/air_01.html
So Oxygen is only a small component of Air. It is proven that oxygen makes sells age faster. This is why loads of nutritionists suggest you use antioxidants in your diet. Pure oxygen would make you dizzy very quickly
2007-07-05 22:20:57 · answer #4 · answered by gavira_76 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because humans need energy. They use Oxygent to oxidize the sugars and other compounds.
C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g) --> 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(g)
Oxygent is a strong oxidizer
2007-07-05 22:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by Papilio paris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We breath 'AIR' which contains the gasses you mention, plus quite a few more.
2007-07-05 21:57:50 · answer #6 · answered by mal g 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why you do its poisonous the and reason for mammals short life span.
2007-07-05 21:59:12 · answer #7 · answered by Hell's eye 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
WOW seems you came from Mars.
2007-07-05 21:57:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
those sort of burn going down. Nice mask.
2007-07-05 21:56:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what a stupid question!
It's obvious to live a life.
2007-07-05 21:55:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋