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Questions and Answers
Why is it crucial to exhale when exposed to the vacuum of space without a spacesuit?
Why is it crucial to exhale when exposed to the vacuum of space without a spacesuit?
- To minimize the effects of galactic cosmic rays on the body.
- To prevent bodily fluids from vaporizing.
- To prevent the body from freezing instantly.
- To prevent the lungs from rupturing due to expanding air. (correct)
Ebullism, a condition associated with space exposure, is primarily caused by what?
Ebullism, a condition associated with space exposure, is primarily caused by what?
- The lack of atmospheric pressure causing fluids to vaporize. (correct)
- The rapid expansion of air in the lungs causing internal ruptures.
- The extreme cold of space rapidly freezing bodily fluids.
- The intense radiation causing fluids to boil.
How does a spacesuit primarily protect astronauts from ebullism?
How does a spacesuit primarily protect astronauts from ebullism?
- By filtering out harmful cosmic and solar particles.
- By maintaining a constant supply of breathable air.
- By providing insulation against radiation and extreme temperatures.
- By creating a pressurized environment around the astronaut's body. (correct)
What is the most immediate threat to an individual exposed to the vacuum of space without protection?
What is the most immediate threat to an individual exposed to the vacuum of space without protection?
What is the primary effect of microgravity on fluid distribution within the human body during long-term space travel?
What is the primary effect of microgravity on fluid distribution within the human body during long-term space travel?
Which of the following represents a long-term effect of space travel on the skeletal system?
Which of the following represents a long-term effect of space travel on the skeletal system?
Why does prolonged space travel potentially increase the risk of kidney stones?
Why does prolonged space travel potentially increase the risk of kidney stones?
What is a potential long-term effect of space travel on an astronaut's vision?
What is a potential long-term effect of space travel on an astronaut's vision?
What measure can astronauts take to counteract the negative effects of microgravity on their muscles and bones?
What measure can astronauts take to counteract the negative effects of microgravity on their muscles and bones?
Why might an astronaut experience difficulty standing immediately upon returning to Earth?
Why might an astronaut experience difficulty standing immediately upon returning to Earth?
Flashcards
Holding breath in space
Holding breath in space
Holding breath in a vacuum leads to lung rupture as air expands.
Ebullism
Ebullism
The vaporization of bodily fluids due to low pressure in space.
Time to unconsciousness in space
Time to unconsciousness in space
Unconsciousness occurs due to rapid oxygen deprivation in space.
Spacesuit functions
Spacesuit functions
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Galactic cosmic rays
Galactic cosmic rays
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Fluid shift in microgravity
Fluid shift in microgravity
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Muscle and bone loss in space
Muscle and bone loss in space
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Kidney stone risk in space
Kidney stone risk in space
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Standing after space travel
Standing after space travel
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Long-term vision effects
Long-term vision effects
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Study Notes
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Immediate Effects of Space Exposure Without a Suit
- Holding breath in a vacuum accelerates death due to lung rupture from expanding air.
- Without exhaling, the air in the lungs will expand, leading to rupture.
- Exhaling prevents body bursting due to skin's tensile strength.
- Bodily fluids vaporize, a process called ebullism, due to the lack of surrounding air pressure.
- Ebullism causes skin swelling, boiling of moist surfaces like eyes, and bubbles forming in vessels, obstructing blood flow.
- Loss of consciousness occurs within 15 seconds due to oxygen deprivation.
- Death occurs within 90 seconds due to the nightmarish effects of space exposure.
- Freezing is not the immediate cause of death, as heat radiates away slowly in space.
Effects of Space Exposure With a Spacesuit
- Pressurized air in the spacesuit protects from ebullism.
- Oxygen tank in the spacesuit sustains breathing.
- Insulation in the spacesuit prevents freezing.
- Galactic cosmic rays, possibly from supernovas, bombard the wearer, passing through the suit.
- Solar energetic particles from the Sun can also bombard the wearer.
- Both forms of ionizing radiation damage DNA, increasing cancer risk.
Effects of Long-Term Space Travel
- Spacecraft protects from low pressure, temperature, and some radiation.
- Motion sickness and sleep disturbances may occur.
- Microgravity shifts roughly half a gallon of internal fluids to the upper body.
- Brain engorgement and optic nerve sheath swelling can occur.
- Pituitary gland compression and flattening of the back of the eyes can occur, impairing close-distance vision.
- Muscle and bone mass gradually decrease due to lack of gravity.
- Bone breakdown releases minerals like calcium, potentially causing kidney stones.
- Diet and exercise can help reduce bone and muscle deterioration.
- Confinement in a small spacecraft can lead to mental health challenges.
Effects of Returning to Earth
- Difficulty standing without fainting initially due to gravity.
- Fluid redistribution takes a few days to normalize.
- Muscle strength recovery takes months.
- Bone density restoration takes at least a year.
- Vision might take several years to recover, and may never fully return to normal.
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