Human technology and animal masterpieces Oxygen supply systems

Humans can survive for several weeks without food, several days without water, but only a few minutes without oxygen. Sufficient availability of oxygen in the surrounding air is therefore vital. Particularly in extreme environments such as mines, submarines, tunnels or in high altitudes or aerospace. Technical solutions are therefore required to maintain the oxygen supply in regular operation as well as in the event of accidents. In particular, the role of chemicals and processes used for oxygen fixation and release are highlighted. Nature has also found fascinating ways to deal with the element oxygen and to use it in seemingly hostile places on planet Earth. Thus, in addition to the anatomical structure of the respiratory apparatus of mammals such as whales or of birds, different oxygen transport proteins in the blood are also described.