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Which physiological consequence follows from that reduction?

  • A.The partial pressure of oxygen falls in the same proportion
  • B.The proportion of oxygen in the air falls, so that the mixture becomes progressively poorer with altitude
  • C.The air becomes toxic
  • D.The temperature of the air falls so far that breathing becomes impossible without heated equipment being used

Answer: A

The composition of the air is unchanged, since the permanent gases are well mixed throughout the homosphere, but each constituent's partial pressure falls with the total. It is the reduced partial pressure of oxygen rather than any change in proportion that causes hypoxia. This is a clean illustration of the distinction between mixing ratio and partial pressure. Reading the definition literally, rather than recalling a formula, is the reliable route through questions of this shape.

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