Looking to optimize the atmospheric gas mix and pressure for humans for minimal cellular degeneration
To build another world, I would want a perfected atmosphere that would sustain the air cycle and yet optimize a decreased cellular degeneration. i.e.: increase quality and length of life. Would we want to increase the pressure -- change the mix of the gas mixes or both?
With our earth's atmosphere currently by volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Pressure on the surface of the earth averages out 1 bar. With Nitrogen being inert and the oxygen ratio enough to promote functional respiratory systems and organ health In humans, how can this be optimized?
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers promote healing, increases cellular oxygen exchange and cellular regeneration. NIH studies show the human body heals faster at a pressure greater than 1 ATA within a mono-chamber of highly concentrated oxygen (more than the human body can breathe through the respiratory system without suffocating). However, this is for short durations of time (1-2 hours) and is not sustainable.
Fick's law of diffusion within the human body -- "The net diffusion rate of a gas across a fluid membrane is proportional to the difference in partial pressure, proportional to the area of the membrane and inversely proportional to the thickness of the membrane. Combined with the diffusion rate determined by Graham's law, this law provides the means for calculating exchange rates of gases across membranes. The total membrane surface area in the lungs (alveoli ) may be on the order of 100 square meters and have a thickness of less than a millionth of a meter, so it is a very effective gas exchange interface." Based on this understanding, we can increase the oxygen concentration rate and breathe it safely if we increase the atmospheric pressure. What is sustainable for long periods of time, is another question?
So, combining the two understandings of the human body, what would be the optimum mix of atmospheric gases and pressure to optimize cellular regeneration with the human body over the lifespan.
1.0 ATA with same gas mix;
1.2 ATA with same gas mix;
1.4 ATA with same gas mix;
1.5 ATA with same gas mix;
higher ATA with same gas mix.
1.0 ATA with 21% O2;
1.2 ATA with 22% O2;
1.4 ATA with 23% O2;
1.5 ATA with 24% O2;
1.5 ATA with 25% O2;
Higher ATA with higher O2?
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/108862. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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