Why is it more difficult to breathe on mountains than on plains?
It is more difficult to breathe on mountains than on plains because as altitude increases, air pressure decreases, and the need for oxygen increases. Reduced air pressure at higher altitudes makes it harder for lungs to take in sufficient oxygen, causing breathing difficulties.
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Option A: It is more difficult to breathe on mountains than on plains because as altitude increases, air pressure decreases, and the need for oxygen increases. At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower, meaning there are fewer air molecules per volume. This reduced air pressure makes it harder for our lungs to take in oxygen from the air. Additionally, with lower air pressure, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases, making it more challenging for oxygen to diffuse into the bloodstream. As a result, our bodies need to work harder to obtain the same amount of oxygen, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue at high altitudes. Option B (Mountain air is heavy and cannot be filled in the lungs) is incorrect; mountain air is not heavier, but rather thinner due to lower pressure. Option C (Mountain air is impure, hence we cannot take it) is also incorrect; while air quality may vary, difficulty in breathing at high altitudes is primarily due to lower air pressure, not impurities in the air. Therefore, option A accurately explains why it is more difficult to breathe on mountains compared to plains.