Final answer:
Paralysis affects ventilation during REM sleep through the paralysis of voluntary muscles and disruptions in the brain's respiratory centers in individuals with central sleep apnea.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paralysis affects a person's ventilation during REM sleep in two ways. Firstly, paralysis of the voluntary muscles in the body, except for those involved in circulation and respiration, occurs during REM sleep. This means that there is no movement of voluntary muscles, including those involved in breathing. Secondly, in individuals with central sleep apnea, which is a type of sleep apnea, the brain's respiratory centers do not respond properly to rising carbon dioxide levels and therefore do not stimulate the contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles regularly. This can lead to interruptions in breathing during REM sleep.