AEROSPACE PHYSIOLOGY EXAM
UPT QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
\.Define atmosphere - ANSWERS-The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth
\.What are the unique functions of the atmosphere that help sustain our existence
on Earth? - ANSWERS-1. It contains oxygen, essential for animal life and carbon
dioxide, essential for plant life
2. It is a shield that attenuates cosmic and ultraviolet radiation
3. Precipitation occurs in the atmosphere, helping maintain the temperature and
climate
\.What is the composition of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-78% Nitrogen, 21%
Oxygen, and 1% other gases (0.03% carbon dioxide)
\.Define pressure - ANSWERS-Force / Area
\.The combined weight of all the atmospheric gases acting to create a force upon
the surface of the earth. - ANSWERS-Atmospheric or barometric pressure
\.What are the 3 measurements for the weight of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-1.
pounds per square inch (psi)
,2. Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
3. inches of mercury (inHg)
\.Pressure altimeters sense __________________ and convert the data into
__________________ - ANSWERS-atmospheric pressure / feet above mean sea
level
\.________________________ was computed by taking the average pressure and
temperature readings for a year at mid-latitude locations - ANSWERS-US Standard
Atmosphere
\.US Standard Atmosphere readings at sea level - ANSWERS-1. +15C
2. 760 mmHg
3. 29.92 inHg
\.Where do the greatest pressure changes occur? - ANSWERS-At lower
atmospheric levels between sea level and 5,000 Feet
\.Altitudes up to about 35,000 feet reflect a constant decrease in temperature of
about ____________ per ____________ feet. - ANSWERS-2C (3.6F) per 1,000 feet
\.What is the standard lapse rate? - ANSWERS-Constant decrease in temperature
(2C per 1,000 feet) as altitude increases.
\.What are the 3 physiological divisions of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-1.
Physiological Zone
,2. Physiological Deficient Zone
3. Space Equivalent Zone
\.This atmospheric zone extends from sea level to approximately 10,000 feet -
ANSWERS-Physiological Zone
\.This atmospheric zone extends from approximately 10,000 feet to approximately
50,000 feet - ANSWERS-Physiological Deficient Zone
\.This atmospheric zone exists above 50,000 feet - ANSWERS-Space Equivalent
Zone
\.This is the atmospheric zone that the human body is adapted to - ANSWERS-
Physiological Zone
\.Because of the reduced atmospheric pressure in this zone, inadequate oxygen is
available to sustain normal physiological functions - ANSWERS-Physiological
Deficient Zone
\.This atmospheric zone is extremely hazardous for the human body - ANSWERS-
Space Equivalent Zone
\._______________________ is defined as the amount of pressure that a single
gas out of a mixture of gases contributes to the sum or total pressure of that
mixture - ANSWERS-Partial Pressure
, \.Which gas law states, "The total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the
sum of the partial pressures of each gas in the mixture?" - ANSWERS-Dalton's Law
\.Which gas law states, "When temperature remains constant a volume of a gas is
inversely proportional to the pressure surrounding it?" - ANSWERS-Boyle's Law
\.Which gas law states, "The amount of gas in a solution varies directly with the
partial pressure of that gas over the solution?" - ANSWERS-Henry's Law
\.Which gas law states, "A gas will diffuse from an area of higher concentration
pressure to an area of lower pressure until equilibrium is reached?" - ANSWERS-
The Law of Gaseous Diffusion
\.Which gas law states, "When volume is constant the pressure of a gas increases
or decreases proportionally to an increase or decrease in its temperature." -
ANSWERS-Charles' Law
\.This "Pizza Slice" gas law explains how exposure to a high ambient altitude can
reduce oxygen available. - ANSWERS-Dalton's Law
\.This "Balloon/Bowels" gas law explains the effects of pressure changes in the
ears, sinuses, teeth and gastrointestinal tract. - ANSWERS-Boyle's Law
\.This "Heineken/Soda" gas law explains why CO2 bubbles are released from a
beverage can when it is opened and why nitrogen bubbles may come out of
solution in body tissue during ascent. The nitrogen bibles can lead to altitude-
induced decompression sickness - ANSWERS-Henry's Law
UPT QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
\.Define atmosphere - ANSWERS-The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth
\.What are the unique functions of the atmosphere that help sustain our existence
on Earth? - ANSWERS-1. It contains oxygen, essential for animal life and carbon
dioxide, essential for plant life
2. It is a shield that attenuates cosmic and ultraviolet radiation
3. Precipitation occurs in the atmosphere, helping maintain the temperature and
climate
\.What is the composition of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-78% Nitrogen, 21%
Oxygen, and 1% other gases (0.03% carbon dioxide)
\.Define pressure - ANSWERS-Force / Area
\.The combined weight of all the atmospheric gases acting to create a force upon
the surface of the earth. - ANSWERS-Atmospheric or barometric pressure
\.What are the 3 measurements for the weight of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-1.
pounds per square inch (psi)
,2. Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
3. inches of mercury (inHg)
\.Pressure altimeters sense __________________ and convert the data into
__________________ - ANSWERS-atmospheric pressure / feet above mean sea
level
\.________________________ was computed by taking the average pressure and
temperature readings for a year at mid-latitude locations - ANSWERS-US Standard
Atmosphere
\.US Standard Atmosphere readings at sea level - ANSWERS-1. +15C
2. 760 mmHg
3. 29.92 inHg
\.Where do the greatest pressure changes occur? - ANSWERS-At lower
atmospheric levels between sea level and 5,000 Feet
\.Altitudes up to about 35,000 feet reflect a constant decrease in temperature of
about ____________ per ____________ feet. - ANSWERS-2C (3.6F) per 1,000 feet
\.What is the standard lapse rate? - ANSWERS-Constant decrease in temperature
(2C per 1,000 feet) as altitude increases.
\.What are the 3 physiological divisions of the atmosphere? - ANSWERS-1.
Physiological Zone
,2. Physiological Deficient Zone
3. Space Equivalent Zone
\.This atmospheric zone extends from sea level to approximately 10,000 feet -
ANSWERS-Physiological Zone
\.This atmospheric zone extends from approximately 10,000 feet to approximately
50,000 feet - ANSWERS-Physiological Deficient Zone
\.This atmospheric zone exists above 50,000 feet - ANSWERS-Space Equivalent
Zone
\.This is the atmospheric zone that the human body is adapted to - ANSWERS-
Physiological Zone
\.Because of the reduced atmospheric pressure in this zone, inadequate oxygen is
available to sustain normal physiological functions - ANSWERS-Physiological
Deficient Zone
\.This atmospheric zone is extremely hazardous for the human body - ANSWERS-
Space Equivalent Zone
\._______________________ is defined as the amount of pressure that a single
gas out of a mixture of gases contributes to the sum or total pressure of that
mixture - ANSWERS-Partial Pressure
, \.Which gas law states, "The total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the
sum of the partial pressures of each gas in the mixture?" - ANSWERS-Dalton's Law
\.Which gas law states, "When temperature remains constant a volume of a gas is
inversely proportional to the pressure surrounding it?" - ANSWERS-Boyle's Law
\.Which gas law states, "The amount of gas in a solution varies directly with the
partial pressure of that gas over the solution?" - ANSWERS-Henry's Law
\.Which gas law states, "A gas will diffuse from an area of higher concentration
pressure to an area of lower pressure until equilibrium is reached?" - ANSWERS-
The Law of Gaseous Diffusion
\.Which gas law states, "When volume is constant the pressure of a gas increases
or decreases proportionally to an increase or decrease in its temperature." -
ANSWERS-Charles' Law
\.This "Pizza Slice" gas law explains how exposure to a high ambient altitude can
reduce oxygen available. - ANSWERS-Dalton's Law
\.This "Balloon/Bowels" gas law explains the effects of pressure changes in the
ears, sinuses, teeth and gastrointestinal tract. - ANSWERS-Boyle's Law
\.This "Heineken/Soda" gas law explains why CO2 bubbles are released from a
beverage can when it is opened and why nitrogen bubbles may come out of
solution in body tissue during ascent. The nitrogen bibles can lead to altitude-
induced decompression sickness - ANSWERS-Henry's Law
