HOW TO ANALYZE A DOCUMENT: “ONLINE DOCUMENT”
Bonita Wiley, Bondurant-Farrar Middle School
Nancy Johnson, Callanan MS, Des Moines
Background Information:The
Document Description: This document is an online
resource that is designed to answer the question, “Is carbon
dioxide poisonous?”
Carbon Cycle is the
continuous movement of carbon between living things and their
environment. Carbon Dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere by
plants and algae and is made into food energy through
photosynthesis. Carbon is then passed through the food chain and
returned to the atmosphere by the respiration and decay of dead
organisms. The burning of fossil fuels also releases carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere. Scientists believe that too much carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere has led to global climate change.
Is Carbon Dioxide Poisonous?
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide
Consider the Source: The
author has a Ph.D. but her area of
expertise is not evident. This would
require some research.
Each carbon dioxide molecule consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.
Ben Mills
Question: Is Carbon Dioxide Poisonous?
Answer: You probably know carbon dioxide is a gas that is present in the air you breathe.
Plants "breathe" it in order to make glucose. You exhale carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct of respiration. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the greenhouse gases.
You find it added to soda, naturally occurring in beer, and in its solid form as dry ice. Based
on what you know, do you think carbon dioxide is poisonous or is it non-toxic or
somewhere in between?
The Answer
Ordinarily, carbon dioxide is not poisonous. It diffuses from your cells into your
bloodstream and from there out via your lungs, yet it is always present throughout your
body.
However, if you breathe high concentrations of carbon dioxide or re-breathe air (such as
from a plastic bag or tent), you may be at risk for carbon dioxide intoxication or even
carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide intoxication and carbon dioxide poisoning are
independent of oxygen concentration, so you may have enough oxygen present to support
life, yet still suffer from the effects of rising carbon dioxide concentration in your blood and
tissues. Symptoms of carbon dioxide toxicity include high blood pressure, flushed skin,
headache and twitching muscles. At higher levels, you could experience panic, irregular
heartbeat, hallucinations, vomited and potentially unconsciousness or even death.
Analyze data:
This document is a .com source.
This means that there are things advertised on this
site. Depending on what is advertised, it could create
bias. Look for .gov, .org, or .info sites to substantiate
the information.
Recognize Bias: There does not appear to be
any bias in this resource because the information can
easily be verified by other resources.
Summarize Information:
Under regular circumstances, carbon dioxide is not
poisonous. It is necessary for life on earth. Breathing high concentrations of carbon dioxide
can be poisonous, causing unhealthy consequences for oxygen-breathing organisms.