Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) Practice Exam

The correct answer relates to the nature of lossy compression and its implications. Lossy compression is primarily designed to reduce file size by removing some of the data that may be deemed less critical for the perception of image quality. This is why options such as decreased image quality, reduction in detail preservation, and actually increased file size when not applied appropriately are consequences of lossy compression.

When using lossy compression, the file size is reduced, enabling faster transmission of image data over networks. In contrast, its purpose is to enhance efficiency and speed concerning greater storages. While decreased image quality and detail preservation are real concerns because the information removed during compression does not return, they do not impact the speed of data transmission negatively. Typically, a reduction in file size leads to quicker uploads and downloads, alleviating network load.

Thus, stating that lossy compression leads to a slow down in transmission is not accurate and reflects a misunderstanding of its advantages in image data handling.