Ebullism, a condition occurring in the vacuum of space, is primarily caused by what?
Understand the Problem
The question is identifying what is 'Ebullism' and what causes it. This is a biology knowledge based question.
Answer
Ebullism is caused by exposure to extremely low ambient pressure, leading to the vaporization of liquid water in body tissues.
Ebullism is primarily caused by exposure to extremely low ambient pressure, specifically pressures below 47 mmHg (63 mbar), which leads to the vaporization of liquid water in body tissues.
Answer for screen readers
Ebullism is primarily caused by exposure to extremely low ambient pressure, specifically pressures below 47 mmHg (63 mbar), which leads to the vaporization of liquid water in body tissues.
More Information
Ebullism can also occur in deep-water scuba divers who surface too quickly. The reduction in pressure causes dissolved gases in the body to come out of solution, forming bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues.
Tips
A common mistake is to think that ebullism involves the blood boiling. While the formation of gas bubbles in bodily fluids does occur, it's the vaporization of water in the tissues that primarily causes ebullism.
Sources
- Ebullism - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- Pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of ebullism - PubMed - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- (PDF) Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Ebullism - researchgate.net
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