Aviation Physiology Case Study

1922 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Flight and space physics

Aviation Physiology
Introduction
Human beings can adjust to different environmental conditions (Wilson, 2016). In this case, the human body acclimates to external temperatures and variations in barometric pressure. Therefore, this homeostatic response is critical to adjust to unique environmental conditions, which differ from one habitat to the other. In addition, the reaction ensures that the body meets the ever-changing energy demands due to the variations in the amount of mental and physical activity, which the body is exposed to. Along with that line, the body can adjust to either chronic or acute reduction in the levels of available oxygen in the atmosphere. It achieves this by increasing the rate of respiration as well as the generation of the red blood cells. In aviation, the requirements for execution of the body’s compensatory mechanisms are of considerable magnitude as well as vast in number (Payne, 2014). For instance, the changes in the environment, which are of physiological significance during flight, …show more content…

Along with that line, if a health and clothed individual is exposed to high altitudes of about 45,000 feet above sea level, he or she is likely to lose consciousness within 9-12 seconds (Payne, 2014). In addition, death occurs afterward due to significant declines in oxygen’s partial pressure, which is low at high altitudes. Therefore, the air manifests such behavior since it consists of a mixture of gases. From that perspective, the air is subjected to different laws, which apply to all gases. In this case, various rules can be utilized to explain their application in aviation and implications on human physiology. To be precise, the general principles of flight physiology are based on independent variables exemplified by volume, barometric pressure, and temperature (Quizlet,

Show More
Related

  • Determination of Maximal Oxygen Consumption Lab Report

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this lab, we explored the theory of maximal oxygen consumption. “Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during severe exercise” (Bassett and Howley, 2000). VO2max is measured in millimeters of O2 consumed per kilogram of body weight per min (ml/kg/min). It is commonly known as a good way to determine a subject’s cardio-respiratory endurance and aerobic fitness level. Two people whom are given the same aerobic task (can both be considered “fit”) however, the more fit individual can consume more oxygen to produce enough energy to sustain higher, intense work loads during exercise. The purpose of this lab experiment was performed to determine the VO2max results of a trained vs. an untrained participant to see who was more fit.

    Read More

  • Glomerular Filtration Experiment

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this activity Respiratory Responses to Metabolic Acidosis and Metabolic Alkalosis is recorded. As the metabolic rate increases, BPM increases, Blood pH decreases, carbon dioxide increases, hydrogen ion increases and bicarbonate level decreases. Likely as the metabolic rate decreases, BPM decreases, Blood pH increases, Pco2 decreases, Hydrogen ion decreases, and bicarbonate level decreases. The respiratory system compensates for metabolic

    Read More

  • Medical Knowledge Gained from the Holocaust

    763 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jews were placed in low-pressure chambers to determine the maximum altitude from which the crews of damaged aircraft could parachute safely. These chambers imitated conditions at altitudes of up to 20,000 meters (about 66,000 feet). In this, scientists found that high-altitude sickness was a result of small air bubbles developing in the blood vessels of the subarachnoid part of the brain.

    Read More

  • Homeostasis

    1365 Words  | 3 Pages

    The body is changing and adjusting to the internal and external environment so they must be adjusted to stay on point. One example of preventing respiratory distress is limiting exposure to allergens that may trigger the body’s external environment. Our perception of homeostasis could be thought of as an artificial balance.

    Read More

  • Physiology Module 7

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    As you read this question, cells in your eyes are sending information to your brain which your brain uses to form an image of the words that you read. Is this information being sent along afferent or efferent nerves?

    Read More

  • Pilot Fatigue

    1768 Words  | 4 Pages

    Most of the Aviation accidents have been greatly attributed to “Pilot Fatigue” (Mohler, 1998). This is because a pilot’s input into the aircraft is majorly dependent on his consciousness on the job, therefore incase he or she may be fatigued then this provides room for error in his inputs (Smith, 2008). Even though the technological advancements in avionics the flight systems of the current aircrafts have preventive mechanisms put in place that makes sure that the pilots are always alert, without sleep and freshened, small effects of fatigue can greatly jeopardize flight safety (Mohler, 1998). This is so because the duties performed by the pilot in the cockpit require a lot of vigilance, care as well as both mental and physical well being and alertness. Having considered this it is very hard to eliminate the cockpit noise, aircraft vibration, the long flights; little sleep as well as irregular work schedules which are the major contributors to pilot fatigue and which can have great influence on his or her performance. This paper dissects the major factors that cause pilot fatigue; the impact of pilot fatigue as well as the damages associated with the same and concludes with ways of managing the same.

    Read More

  • Essay On Homeostasis

    3427 Words  | 7 Pages

    Sympathetic pathways change nerve activity during times of stress, exercise, low blood glucose levels, excitement or fear, due to the flight or fight response. These changes can have an effect on homeostasis by increasing heart rate, increasing blood flow, dilating pupils, sweating, releasing glycogen, increasing oxygen intake and diverting blood flow away from the gastrointestinal tract.

    Read More

  • Physics in Aircrafts

    674 Words  | 2 Pages

    All you need to know about the role physics plays in the flight of an aircraft.

    Read More

  • What is Stress

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Hans Selye, a series of physiological reactions to stress occurring in three phases. Those phases are alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This is also known as the general adaptation syndrome. General adaptation syndrome describes the body's short-term and long-term reaction to stress. Stressors in humans include physical stressors, such as starvation being hit by a car, or suffering through severe weather. Additionally, humans can suffer emotional or mental stress, such as the loss of a loved one, the inability to solve a problem, or even having a difficult day at work. The first stage of the general adaptation stage, the alarm reaction, is the immediate reaction to a stressors. This stage of stress has the reaction for physical activity. However, this initial response can also decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, making persons more susceptible to illness during this phase.

    Read More

  • Complications Of The General Adaptation Syndrome

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    Scientist Hans Selye (1907 - 1982) introduced the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model in 1936 and it is one of the best known biological theories of stress. The “syndrome provides a summary of the psychological changes that follow stress as the body attempts to return to homeostasis” (Olpin & Hesson, 2009). In his work, “he developed the theory that stress is a major cause of disease because chronic stress causes long-term chemical changes” within the body (Essence of Stress Relief, 2014). He noted that the condition probably represented a manifestation of a widespread “call to arms of the body’s defensive forces in reaction to excessive demands” (Hill Rice, n.d.). He called the excessive demands stressors and the body’s response stress. He believed that our bodies must adapt in some way and “there is a limited supply of adaptive energy to deal with stress” which declines with continuous exposure (Essence of Stress Relief, 2014). He found that our reactions to stress always go in three phases; alarm (“fight or flight” response), resistance (adaptation) and, exhaustion.

    Read More

  • Space Flight: The Dangers of Weightlessness

    2291 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the awe-inspiring event of man experiencing interstellar travel many detrimental problems arise. Before 1970, the majority of biomedical studies on space flight were conducted immediately before and after flight. They examined the changes and readaptation processes for astronauts from a weightless to a gravitational environ-ment. After the successful Skylab space station projects from 1973-1974 and the Soviet Salyut missions from 1977-1982, biomedical research and experiments commenced in space. These experiments in space have shown that the physiological aspects can be deadly if not prepared for correctly and adequate medical support is not available. Although problems due to weightlessness and lack of exercise have been thoroughly researched and new machines and procedures have been developed to overcome these difficulties, there is still the opportunity to further understand weightlessness.

    Read More

  • The Mechanism and Regulation of Breathing

    368 Words  | 1 Pages

    One of the most important changes would be an alteration in the concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood, this could be caused by a rise in blood carbon dioxide or an increase in tissue respiration in the muscles during the exercise. The respiratory centre is in its self. sensitive to raised hCo2 and responds by increasing the rate and depth. of the breath of the mind. In the aortic arch and carotid bodies there are chemoreceptors.

    Read More

  • Human Blood Essay

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lastly, blood is involved in maintaining homeostasis by negative feedback loops such as temperature regulation, blood pH, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure.

    Read More

  • Aeronautical Engineers

    1012 Words  | 3 Pages

    * Engineers must be able to work as part of a team. The ability to

    Read More

  • Body Awareness Essay

    1557 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even though we all know that we cannot exist without oxygen, most of us do not realize how important the amount of oxygen is to our heart rhythm and our heart rate. When we are anxious and worried due to physical, emotional or spiritual pain and stress, we tend to breathe more quickly and shallowly than when we are relaxed. Our heart rate variance becomes super chaotic and incoherent, affecting the quality of our brain function.[]

    Read More

More about Aviation Physiology Case Study

Open Document