10A Aviation Physiology#

Question 0

Cones

Answer 0

Concentrated in fovea.
Function well in bright light and sensitive to colors.
Each cell is connected to a single neuron allowing for detection of fine detail.
Do not function well in darkness.

Question 1

Retina

Answer 1

Contains photo-sensitive cells called cones and rods which are connected to the optic nerve.

Question 2

Rods

Answer 2

Concentrated outside the foveal area, react to low light.
After adapting to darkness they are 10,000 times more sensitive to light than cones.
Responsible for most peripheral vision.

Question 3

Visual Purple

Answer 3

Chemical Rhodopsin

Formed in the dark, causes rods to lose their sensitivity to bright light.

Question 4

Autokinesis

Answer 4

Illusion where a point of light appears to move when stared at for more than a few seconds at night.
To prevent this, do not fixate on one target and maintain a normal visual scan.

Question 5

False Horizon

Answer 5

Illusion that occurs when the natural horizon is obscured.

Question 6

Landing Illusions

Answer 6

Caused by varying runway widths and slopes, terrain and weather conditions.

Question 7

Flicker Vertigo

Answer 7

Caused by a flickering light at 4 - 20 flashes per second.
Can cause convulsions, nausea, or unconsciousness.
Propeller and sun can cause it.

Question 8

Disorientation

Answer 8

An incorrect mental image of your position, attitude, or movement in relation to what is actually happening to your aircraft.

Question 9

Kinesthetic Sense

Answer 9

Awareness of your position obtained from the nerves in your skin, joints, and muscles.
Relies on gravity, fooled by g-loads

Question 10

Visual Sense

Answer 10

Sight.

Question 11

Spatial Disorientation

Answer 11

Conflict between central and peripheral vision.

Question 12

Vestibular System

Answer 12

Located in inner ear; consists of the vestibule and the semicircular canals.

Question 14

Semicircular Canals

Answer 14

Sense angular acceleration such as roll, pitch, and yaw.

Question 15

Vestibular Disorientation

Answer 15

Vestibular system sends misleading signals to the brain.

Question 16

Respiration

Answer 16

Breathing; Oxygen in, Carbon Dioxide out.

Question 17

Hypoxia

Answer 17

Occurs when tissues in the body do not receive enough oxygen.

Question 18

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Answer 18

Decrease of oxygen molecules at sufficient pressure.

Question 19

Time of Useful Consciousness

Answer 19

Time you have to make a rational, life saving decision and carry it out following a lack of oxygen at a given altitude.
20K MSL - 30 minutes or more
22K MSL - 5-10 minutes
25K MSL - 3-5 minutes
28K MSL - 2.5-3 minutes
30K MSL - 1-2 minutes
35K MSL - 30-60 seconds
40K MSL - 15-20 seconds
45K MSL - 9-15 seconds

Question 20

Hypemic Hypoxia

Answer 20

When blood is not able to carry a sufficient amount of oxygen to the cells.

Question 21

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Answer 21

Form of hypemic hypoxia; CO attaches to the hemoglobin and prevents delivery of oxygen to cells.

Question 22

Stagnant Hypoxia

Answer 22

Oxygen deficiency in the body due to poor circulation of the blood

Question 23

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Answer 23

The inability of the cells to effectively use oxygen.

Question 24

Supplemental Oxygen

Answer 24

Required above 12,500 MSL according to FAR’s.

Question 25

Pressurization

Answer 25

Maintenance of a cabin altitude lower than the actual flight altitude by a system which compresses air.

Question 26

Decompression

Answer 26

Occurs when the aircraft’s pressurization system is unable to maintain its designed pressure schedule due to a malfunction in the pressurization system or structural damage to the aircraft.

Question 27

Hyperventilation

Answer 27

Occurs when you are experiencing emotional stress, fright, or pain; end result is unconsciousness.