Eric T on Nostr: > By plugging the entrances into their burrows, naked mole-rats modify the oxygen and ...

> By plugging the entrances into their burrows, naked mole-rats modify the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the air inside, making it ideal for their physiology. Naked mole-rats reduce the oxygen concentration in their burrows to around 7% and increase the CO2 concentration to around 6%. The result? The increased CO2 acts as a potent antioxidant while maintaining exceptional blood vessel dilation and cellular oxygenation, resulting in a very high metabolic rate. A high metabolic rate can adequately explain all the outstanding physiological features of this charming and handsome subterranean creature.

#CO2