Question

By what mechanism does the body compensate for low oxygen availability in altitude sickness?

• A. Increasing the binding affinity of hemoglobin
• B. Decreasing breathing rate
• C. Decreasing the binding affinity of hemoglobin
• D. Increasing red blood cell formation

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Increasing red blood cell formation

• The body compensates for low oxygen availability in altitude sickness by increasing red blood cell formation that will increase the uptake of oxygen.

• A person experiences altitude sickness >3500 m or >8,000 feet.