Which limitation arises for deep-diving marine mammals that repeatedly compress and decompress lung gases?

💡 Explanation

During deep dives, rapid compression and decompression cycles drive nitrogen partial pressure extremely high, due to Henry's Law; this promotes increased gas dissolving in tissues, ultimately producing narcosis by disrupting neural function as nitrogen displaces gasses within axons. Therefore narcosis results, rather than reduced gas saturation, hypothermia, or anaerobic effects, which arise via alternate respiratory mechanisms.

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