What symptoms are associated with an oxygen-deficient atmosphere at 8-10% volume?

In an oxygen-deficient atmosphere where the oxygen levels drop to 8-10% volume, individuals typically experience serious physiological effects. At this level of oxygen deficiency, the body struggles to obtain sufficient oxygen, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and mental failure. Mental failure refers to a decline in cognitive function, which can manifest as confusion and disorientation, further exacerbating the risk of dangerous situations.

It's important to understand that the body relies heavily on oxygen for normal metabolic functions, and a decrease in ambient oxygen can severely impact both physical and mental performance. Hence, nausea and vomiting can be early signs that the body is signaling distress due to inadequate oxygen, alongside deteriorating mental clarity.

In contrast, other choices describe symptoms that are not typical at this level of oxygen deprivation, as the body would not respond with increased respiration and pulse, nor would prolonged exertion merely lead to fainting without showing other indicative symptoms first. While coma and convulsions might occur at even lower oxygen levels or depending on individual susceptibility, they are not characteristically associated with the 8-10% range. Thus, nausea, vomiting, and mental failure are indeed the primary symptoms correlated with this specific oxygen deficiency level.