Hemoglobin, Hb, has 4 Fe atoms per molecule that on average pick up about three
ID: 937708 • Letter: H
Question
Hemoglobin, Hb, has 4 Fe atoms per molecule that on average pick up about three molecules of oxygen, and Is transported throughout the body. The reaction Is: Hb(aq) + 3 O_2(aq) Hb(O_2)_2(aq). At high altitude, people can get a condition called hypoxia, which is caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the body tissues. Hypoxia can lead to nausea, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, confusion, and the inability to communicate. Despite this medical condition people continue to live at and visit high altitude areas. Residents of high altitude areas have been found to have hemoglobin concentrations that are 50% greater than those who live around sea level. Explain this phenomenon.Explanation / Answer
As we rise up from sea level. Oxygen concentration decreases. It is shown that mountain people have 60% of oxygen as compared to oxygen available to people at sea level.
People who live at high altitude have been living there for around 3000 years. Therefore, adaptations happened in them. Even though people living at sea level tend to get hypoxia at high altitudes. Mountain people as example Tibetians are immune to it due to physical and genetic changes over the time.
Mountain people have undergone many adaptations, some of them are high concentration of hemoglobin, high nitric oxide, development of large lungs.
To cope up with the decreased amount of oxygen at high altitude, mountain people have high concentration of hemoglobin, which balances the amount of oxygen reaching to every cell. They also have less height which in turn account for good oxygen supply.
They also have high concentrations of nitric oxide which dilate the vessels and ease the blood flow.
These adaptations are often considered as good example of natural selection.
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